Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-03-02

. X + l q N.
Extract from late London Papers.
"The Bulwark ofour Religion"
IDOL OF JUGGERNAUr, No IL.
The following extract of a letter from a
correspondent at Candy, dated 2Sth A
priI, 1915, will, we have no doubt, be in
teresting to our readers -
g shall now give you the particulars of
the ceremony of replacing the sacred relic,
in the principal temple, which took place
last Monday.
g To give splendour to this event, pre-
parations were made for many days previ-
Gus. On Sunday the High Priest left
Candy, for the purpose of escorting it in,
attended by numerous body of Priests );
about one o'clock it was intimated to Mr..
M'OYLY, that the procession was APP
preaching, when he, attended by Mr..
WRIeHT and myself, left the palace on
foot, and proceeded towards the entrance
of the town,to Join it. On our arrival,
we were met by the High Priest and
Chiefs, who appeared delighted ut this
mark of respect to their religion--compli-
mentary congratulations detained the pro-
cession for short period, when it pro-
ceeded in the followingtorder
Eight large elephants, with white tusks,
with rich coverings accompanied by nu-
merous attendants.
High Priest, supported by two young
Priests,
i One hundred & fifty Priests.
a sacred image, covered with gold bro
cade, carried ina muncheal, witha ca
nOpy oyerit. Sixty flags of differ
ent colours. Trumpet and
tom toms. Dancing
girls. Adj
Iars, whips.
5gDLLYeoppIE, 1st. Adikar attended by
numerous Chiefs.
Two hundred head men,
Gingals of the Temple,
Tom toms,
Drums of His Majesty's Cd Ceylon regi-
ment.
Five most beautiful .usked elephants a.
breast, the centre one carrying the sa-
cred Relic. This elephant was highly
ornamented his tpsks were cased in
gold the rest carried attendants, hold
ing silver and gilt umbrellas and fans,
&c.
Adikars, whips,
CAPUwATTE, Cd Adikar, In charge the
Temple, attended by many Chiefs, and
accompanied by Mr.. D'OYLY, Mr..
WRreHT, and myself.
Some hundred head men and followers.
Six large tusked elephants followed sepa,
rately next, carrying each sacred I'm.
egs.
Some hundred natives.
ErEMLEYpoLA, who intimated that
his health would not admit of his walking
followed in the rear on horseback, with !
numerous body of attendants. The pro.
cession extended more than a mile il
reached the palace, in which the principal
temple is situated, at four o'clock, but the
Soothsayer having intirnated that the pro.
pitious hour had not arrived, the process.
sion again moved round the square oppo.
site the palace; upon its arrival salute
was fired from the ginghs of the temple,
which was answered by one from the Roy
8l artillery; after this, the sacred relic
was taken from off the elephants back by
two servants ofthe temple, whose mouths
were covered for the purpose of preventing
their breath from communicating the OBJ
jectof their worship Chiefs attended by
Priests, retired within the temple, Mr.
D'Oyly, &c. being also invited to enter
which we did, FIRST taking off our shoes
after few complimentary words Mr.
D'Oyly minated that he wished to make
an Offering to the temple in the name o.
his excellency tie Governor, and woulr
/. retire to bring it after short interval
he returned; and presented as an offering
to the temple, most beautiful musica
slock, which was sent out during the 90
vernment Of general Maitland. The burs
Of applause which continued fov some mi
nutes upon this beautiful work being pro
duced (Which so fully Showed the superi
Gritty Of our cOuutrymen as mechanics,
proved the high estimation they put upor
The present but when, as il by magic
this little machine was put in motion, tn,
expressions Of delight by both Priests and
Chiefs exceeded all belief. Several othe
smaller customary offerings were made.
g The procession, which was most mag
nihcent, was conducted with the creates
regularity, not the smallest disorder wa
observable.
" The streets through which the process