It is believed that there is a class of wicked water nymphs called Asará who generally dwell in wells, ponds, or rivers, far from the habitation of men. Whenever these nymphs come across a lonely man or woman entering a well, pond, etc., they carry that person under water. The village of Mithbáv in the Ratnágiri District is a well-known resort of these Asarás, and many instances are given by the villagers of persons being drowned and carried off in the river by these wicked nymphs. A tank in the village of Hindalem in the same district has a similar reputation. [165] The people of the Konkan believe that water nymphs are sometimes seen in the form of women near wells, rivers, and ponds. [166] Some say that the water nymphs and water spirits confer objects desired by worshippers if they are propitiated by prayers. [167] There are seven kundas, ponds, at Nirmal in the Thána District, forming a large lake. This lake is said to have been formed from the blood of the demon Vimalásur. At Sháhápur there is a holy spring of hot water under a Pipal tree. It is called Ganga. [168] There are kundas, pools, of hot water in the Vaitarna river in the Thána District, in which people bathe on the 13th day of the dark half of Chaitra. [169] There are also springs of hot water on the bank of the Surya river at Vajreshvari and at Koknere, in the Thána District. [170] A handful of corn, if thrown into the hot water kundas at Tungar, is said to be boiled at once. [171] It is held holy to bathe in the kundas of hot water that are situated in the rivers Tánsa and Bánganga in the Thána District. [172] The water of a well which is drawn without touching the earth or without being placed upon the ground is given as medicine for indigestion. Similarly the water of seven tanks, or at least of one pond, in which lotuses grow is said to check the virulence of measles, small-pox, etc. [173] A bath in a certain tank in the Mahim taluka is said to cure persons suffering from the itch, and water purified by repeating incantations over it is also said to be a good remedy for the same disease. [174] The water of a tank or a well is supposed to be wholesome to a person of indifferent health, if given to him to drink without placing it upon the ground. [175] Some people believe that the water of the Ganges is so holy and powerful that if bows are thrown into it they are instantly reduced to powder. [176] The repair of lakes, caravanserais, temples, etc., is held more meritorious than their actual erection. [177] It is enjoined upon a man to perform a certain rite if he wishes to relinquish his right of ownership over a well or tank, and after this rite is performed, it can be utilized for public purposes. But no ceremony is required to be performed if a well is dug for the benefit of the public. [178]