The people of the Thána District believe that water nymphs reside in every reservoir of water. [179] Some people, however, believe that the water nymphs dwell in those lakes in which lotuses grow. These nymphs are said to do harm to children and young women, especially when they set out for a walk accompanied by their brother Gavala. They are unusually dangerous. [180] The people worship the images of the following seven water nymphs or apsaras, viz., Machhi, Kurmi, Karkati, Darduri, Jatupi, Somapa and Makari. [181] The following places are said to be inhabited by water spirits:--the channel of Kalamba, the tanks of Sopara and Utaratal and the lake called Tambra-tirtha at Bassein [182]. Water nymphs are supposed to drown a person who tries to save another fallen into water. [183] A species of small men named Uda, otherwise called water-spirits, are said to dwell in water and subsist on fishes. [184] The spirits called Khais and Mhashya are supposed to reside in water. [185] The river Sávitri in the Kolába District takes its rise near Mahábaleshwar and is considered very sacred. The following traditionary account is given of its origin. The god Brahma had two wives, Sávitri and Gáyatri. A dispute having arisen between them, they both jumped over a precipice. Sávitri assumed the form of a river and fell into the sea near Bánkot. Gáyatri, on the other hand, concealed herself in the river Sávitri and manifested herself as a spring near Harihareshwar in the Janjira State. [186] A man is said to be released from re-birth if he takes a bath in the kund (pond) named Katkale-tirtha near Násik. [187] Bows are said to be reduced to powder if thrown into a certain kund at Uddhar-Rámeshwar in the Sudhagad taluka. [188] Kupotsarga is defined to be the digging of a well for the benefit of the public and abandoning one's right of ownership over it. [189]