Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-02-08
A TRIP TO JUGGERNAUT.
From an East LIdia correspondent Of the Lond,
Times.

Having read much and seen nothing of this great
sacro- Pagan city, accompanied by an officer in the
Bengal army, left the renowned city of palaces,
Calcutta, to visit the pandemonlum of the Hindoos.
1t was IN the month of May, in the present wear,
when the hot weather intolerable, and my
friend, being invalid, recommended by his
medical attendant to repair to the seaside, with a
with view to recruit his strength, by nhalmg the
sea breeze.
As we travelled by night in our palanquins, (the
carers or supporters progressing onward at the rate
of about four miles an hour did not reach Mid
napore until the forenoon of the following day, when
we were most kindly and Hospitality received and
entertained by the collector of the Zillah. He had
provided us with bearers for our dal< to proceed on
to Balazore, distance of so miles, and after ha-
wing recruited ourselves with necessary refresh
ments, again started on our road Tor the latter
station.
On our reaching the capitol of Orissa, we were
obliged to cross the river Mahanuddee, which in
the hot season is almost dry, and the sand compo-
sing its bed were so impregnated with heat, by the
operation of the sun heat, that the bearers were
repeatedly compelled to drop their palanquns has
tily, and run, uttering doetul cries to the nearest
rll they could approach, to cool their naked way
worn feet, which appeared literally blistered by the
heat of the soil.
We tarried day at Cuttack, and at two o'clock
in the morning proceeded onward towards Jugger-
here, at early dawn, first perceived the sides of
the highway to that much talked of city paved with
the osseous remains of humanity. 1t was truly
piteous bat a disgusting ight. Deserted vestments
of the dead borne by the winds, appeared huttering
upon the thorny brakes of the crcumiacent jungles
agtated by the sea breeze, approached to-
wards the sands of Juggernaut, which are aved by
the surf constantly temptuously beating them,
propelled by the heavy surges which set in upon
them from the waters of the Bay of Bengal. Hun
dreds of half tamlshed pilgrims were in the act of
coursing their way the great Pa gan shrine while
hosts of naked mendlcants threw themselves pros
by the sides OF our palanquins seeking tenn
porary relief in the shape of few pce cowries.
The nearer approached the city of abomnation
the horrible effects of Pagan dolatry, an ineQual
ratio, appeared to multiply themselves There APP
peared nought but wretchedness on every side; the
dead and the dying formed the agonizing features
OF one mist rable picture.
On our arrival at our ultimate destination, the
lofty gilded cupalos and minarets of the pagoda of
Juggernaut, as the Spendor of the sunbeams played
upon them, appeared strlkIngly grand to the eve.
We entered our humble bungalow, and having
made what domestic arrangements considered
necessary to comforts we, the same
ming, mounted on a nelghbors elephant, visited the
temple. As we passed over the sands no pen can
describe the horrors that felt. Some scores, nay
may say hundreds of human beings, of all ages
and sexes, lay their remains fully exposed to view,
being eaten up by carrion beasts and birds, whilst
the atmosphere was intoerable. SO truly offensive
was it, that the elephant upon which we were
mounted, exhibited manifest symptoms of impa-
tience whilst passing over this arena of death, by
erecting his proboscls, and trumpeung, Ga sure and
infallibe token of discomfort the part of that ami
MALI The city was swarming with pill -rims of all
castles, and numerous Brahmanee bulls were feed
inc with them from their own platters. Gongs,
srtars, pipes and other instruments used in produ-
cling music at the festival, which is denominated
the .Rathjattra," were in full operation through
out the night, whilst the yels of the devoted pill
grms unceasing. Upon inquiry we learned
that no mmolation had taken place at Juggernaut
since June, 1927, when Brahmin voluntarily
threw himself under the wheels of the 'rath'' Cor
carr As a seaside residence, Pooree (Which is
about a mile from Juggernau) is agreeable
SPOT but the latter city Is at certain seasons o. the
wear too near it 10 admit of its being wholesome.
We remained in the neighborhood fortnight, and
were very glad to quit 1t. 1t is not favorable on
account of the fact above mentioned to the conval
escence of a Bengal invalid. The Neilgherrie hills
are, on all Sides admitted TO be conducive to
the health OF sickly European in that climate