e of Ghazi, the warrior: the Hindus consider that it was
only by the power of God that he could do so many acts of prowess.

4. FESTIVAL OF THE BIRA OR OF KHAJA KHIZR.--Of this Saint, M. Garcin de
Tassy says: "Khaja Khizr is a personage respecting whom the opinions of
orientals vary. Many consider him the same as Phineas, the grandson of
Aaron; others that he is the prophet Elias; and lastly, the Turks confound
him with St. George. In order to reconcile these conflicting opinions, some
allege that the same soul has animated three different persons. Whatever be
the fact, Khizr, according to the Musalmans, discovered the source of the
Water of Life of which he is the guardian. He is believed to be very clever
in divination, and to be the patron of waters. As such a festival is held
in his honour." Jawan describes it thus: "In the month of Bhadun
(August-September) all whose wishes have been fulfilled, make it a point of
duty to set afloat the boat (nau) in honour of Khaja Khizr, and to make
according to their means offerings of milk and bruised grain to the holy
personage. On every Friday, and in some places on every Thursday, in the
month {261} in question, the devotees having prepared the bira carry it at
night to the bank of the river, with many ceremonies. There great and
small, having lighted lamps and tapers, make their respective oblations,
whilst a number of swimmers together jointly push the bira into the middle
of the river." Sometimes a number of small biras, made of clay, are also
launched, and as each carries a lamp the general effect is striking. It is
said that the Musalman natives of the Maldive Islands annually launch a
small vessel laden with perfumes, gum, and odoriferous flowers, and leave
it to the mercy of the winds and waves as an offering to the god of the
sea. There can be no doubt that this god of the sea is Khizr, the patron of
the waters.

The following prayer is recited in the Fatiha of Khizr: "To obtain purity
of heart, and the benediction of Him who hears the vows of mortals, and who
alone can keep from them all evils, I rest upon the merits of Khaja Khizr,
the great prophet Elias."

5. THE FEAST OF PIR DASTGIR SAHIB.--This is held on the eleventh day of the
month of Rabi'-us-Sani. The Sunnis hold this Saint in great reverence. He
has no less than ninety-nine names. His tomb is at Baghdad. On the tenth of
the month the ceremony called Sandal (p. 245) is performed, followed on the
next day b