The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-04-24
A u1xDoo TEMPLE.


HINDoo TEMPLE.
We went to-day in search of Kali
Ghdut. It is the most famous of the
Hindoo temples here, and from it the
city derives it's name. We found it in
q base suburb. It has three discon-
nected structures, which, although they
are built after the customary models,
and of solid materials, seem neverthe-
less mean, when seen with their vulgar
surroundings. The floors of all are on
one level, eight feet above the ground,
and are reached by stone steps. The
building on the right hand is a circular
one about fifteen feet high above the
floor, open all round, with roof sup
ported by Hipdoo columns. The cen
tral building is an oblong one. Tue
third and principal ediice is square
surmounted by dome, which extends
beyond the walls, and is supported by
outside columns. It has no windows ;
light is admitted through small doors
on three sides. The building first de-
scribed is the hall of sacrifice, into
which only Bramin priests are admitted.
The building last described contains the
shrine of the goddess Kali, to whose
service the Thugs especially devoted
themselves. Not even its threshold
must be profaned by the footstep of the
vulgar. The central edifice is the wor-
shi pers', from which they pay their
alteration to the divinity on the right
hand, and on the other witness. the sac
rifces A Bramin crowd dressed in
clean white, many of them speaking
uncommonly good English, were assid-
nous, though not obtrusive, in explain
ing the mysteries to us. As we went
throu yh the grounds, native police
sprang forth at every turn to protect us
against any injury or offence. We
waited an hour for the priest who had
the keys. He came at last, arrayed in
pure white-a tall man and dignifed, in
in every way seeming worthy to serve
at the altar. With much labor he nm
fastened massive paddock, and, turn
ing its heavy bolts backward, threw
open a door on either side of the sane
tuary, and disclosed to us through the
dim light wrought-iron or stone figure
of human proportions but scarcely OF
human shape. The idol is black, has
three glarrng red eyes, broad golden
tongue tipped with black, which pro-
iects from distented mouth down to
the waist, aud is dripping with blood.
The arms are large. The left hand
holds a giants head the right hand, a
sword with which it has been severed
both crimsoned with blood. A necklace
of infants skulls graees the demon.
Devout worshippers prostrated them
selves around us. and something like
mumbled prayers we're heard as they
beat their heads upon the pavement.
We placed some rupees in a vessel be
fore as; these were thrown at the feet
Of Kali, and the doors were quickly
clos 4. This savage deity called Kali,
is the wife of silva, and Is the author Of
ali the evils which beget the humanrscs.
Bnllocks ana goats are sacrificed. Fire
purihes the latter, and the Offering Is
eaten by the priests; the former, inca
pable OF publication, are charitabiy Civ
en- to pariahs. The ground around the
hall of sacrifice is rank with the odor
Of putrefaction. One hundred and fif-
" Bramins and their families live in
and about this temple. They seem to
be supported by contributions of pill
grims. and by depreeatory offerings oi
merchants who are engaging IN business
enterprises.
THE KING OF ouDE
The majestic declamations Of Burke,
in the trial Of Warren Hastings, have
made the civilized world familiar VIII