Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-08-16

would De correct repreSentdtiouo vi TIC
traordinary spectacle which they would
have witnessed.
The strangers first would have been
struck with the curious formation OF
the boat for landing. This boat has
very high sides, and all the planks are
sown together with Irvine. She is
manned with Canaan boatmen, almost
naked, ready to convey her through
frightful surf to the shore. The boat,
like piece of cork, rises on the top OF
every surf, while the frightened pas
senger thinks each foaming wave must
overwhelm the lettering bark. One
man, with steady hand and watchfui
eye, steers her straight before the loud
threatening surf, which, by one mighty
effort throws him on the sandy beach.
Scarcely recovered from the agita-
ton felt by all who encounter what APP
pears SO perilous, the strangers are in
vited to mount huge elephants, mine feet
high, which, with uplifted proboscis,
and respectful but terrific rear, startle
the new corners, who ascend into their
howdahs, and the enormous animals
rise. Numbers of attendants clear
the way, and they proceed, at brisk
pace, for mile across barren sandy
plain, till they enter road with or
chards on both sides, in which may be
seen growing very luxurlantly the CO.
Goa nut and the slender lofty soobarie
tree with sweet scented flowers and
hedges Of the prickly pear. The YER
dure is strongly contrasted with the
sandy plain. Upon getting farther on,
the busy hum of men becomes louder
and louder, till turning corner into
very wide street, the eye beholds with
establishment about $1,000 Hindoos,
with their heads bare, and only clothed
around The loins; all looking with great
eagerness towards the Temple, ready
to worship the idol.
A loud shout from the multitude an
nopnced the opening of the gates and
the approach of Juggernaut. A num-
her Of priests were seen dragging the
ponderous and clumsy Idol slowly down
the steps, stopping very frequently
The manifest helplessness OF the
block of wood weakened not the faith
of the infatuated pilgrims; and the Idol
| was lifted into his car amidst the shouts
of his votaries, who were eager to wor-
ship the image. The Idols, Boloram
andThubruda, were likewise carried 10
their cars in the same manner.
At sunset the Rajah Of Khoordah,
hereditary High Prizes, and Master OF
the Idols wardrobe, made his way
through prodigions, crowd, in a pa
lanquin, followed by large state ele-
plant. All thes European ladies and
gentlemen, mounted on elephants, had
assembled close to the cars, to observe
the cereStonies. The Rajah alighted
close to the car of BoIoram-He was
dressed in very plain muslin, and bare
footed.-A very stout priest led him
by the hands; and others surrounded
him with sticks in their hands, which
they used very freely to keep off the peo-
pie; and, as further security, his pa
ianquin and elephants were kept close
in the rear.
The Rajah is young man, who is
said TO have lost all energy of mind for
the two last years; OIL this great occa.
sion he exhibited every symptom OF
excessive trepidation and alarm; moth
ing of devotional spirit was observable,
but a great apprehension of suffering
from the crowd. On ascending the
car by sloping platform, he stopped
at every third step, looked round, and
ordered his attendants-to remove from
the car any intruders: he wAkthe ye21
image of sulkiness and vs1 IL
yeral silver trumpets g the
pilgrims shouted y When
the the Rajah reachs (Upof the plat
form, he worshipp the Idol Boloram;
and then, Nth broom sweptthe fioor
all around. He was afterwards pre-
sented by the priests, with a silver yes.
sci containing the essence OF sandal
wood, with which he sprinkled the
floor. He then presented some offer
ings to the Idol; from whom he receiv.
ed as a mark of honor, a garland OF
flowers which the priests took from
the image and put around the Rajah's
neck. The ceremony concluded by
the Raiah's prostrating himself Hat on
the floor before the Idol, amidst the
shouts of the pilgrims and the piercing
\ notes of the silver trumpets. He then
descended slowly from the car; and
proceeded, bare-iooted, to the car OF
Juggernaut, and finally to that OF his
sister Shubrudra; at each OF which the
same ceremonies were performed.-To
close his lsbors for the day, he went be-
hind each car and tried to propel tor
ward; without which ceremony the
priests say it could not afterwards be
moved.
On signal being given most active
: