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Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 17, p. 30.

30 1VAIKALA is best known for the magnificent forests of sdi (Shorea robusta) which clothe its heights in many places. These are mainly situated in zaminddri estates or those of Feudatory chiefs, and hence are not subject to any strict system of conservation, and have been much damaged by indiscriminate fellings. The hills are mentioned in ancient Hindu literature as the place of Maikala Rishi's penance, though Vyasa, Bhrigu, Agastya, and other sages are also credited with having meditated in the forests. Their greatest claim to sanctity lies, however, in the presence upon them of the sources of the NARBAM and SON rivers. The Markandeya Purana relates how, when Siva called succes- sively on all the mountains of India to find a home for the Narbada, only Maikala offered to receive her, thus gaining undying fame; and hence the Narbada is often called Maikala-Kanya, or `daughter of Maikala.' The Mahanadi and Johilla, as well as many minor streams, also have their sources in these hills. Local tradition relates that in the fourth and fifth centuries A. D., during the Gupta rule, this plateau was highly populated; and the Ramayana and the Puranas mention the Mekhalas as a tribe of the Vindhya range, the former work placing them next the Utkalas or people of Orissa, The Rewah State has lately begun to open up the plateau. Iron ore is met with in some quantity, and is still worked at about twenty villages to supply the local demand. Mailā.n.-Hill in the Surguja State, Central Provinces, situated in 23° 31' N. and 83° 37' E., and rising to a height of 4,024 feet above sea-level. Mailār.-Village in the Hadagalli tdluk of Bellary District, Madras, situated in 14° 48' N. and 7s° 42' E. Population (rgor), 1,722. It is famous throughout the District for the annual festival held at its temple every February, at which a cryptic sentence containing a prophecy (hdranikam) regarding the prospects of the coming year is uttered. The temple is dedicated to Siva in his form of Mallari. The story is that a demon called Mallasura (`the demon Malla) and his brother, having by severe penances extracted from Brahma a promise that they should never be harmed by any being in any form then existing, began to harass the rishis. The gods were appealed to; and Siva put on a new form, so as to evade Brahma's promise, and taking with him forces to the number of seven crores, also in new forms (such as dogs) which had never before served in an army, warred with Mallasura and his brother for ten long days and at length slew them both with his bow and overcame their followers. The gods and rishis were in transports at his triumph, and joined in foretelling unbroken prosperity as the fruit of it. The ceremonies and rites at the festival form a curious sort of miracle-play representative of this war in heaven and its result. The pilgrims to the festival go about shouting Eiuhoti l