The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-07-27
A Hindoo Deity and His
Worship.

The unspeakable sacred image is wood.
en- squat, black, ugly, and was loaded
with wreaths and long garlands of flowers.
In the temple precincts there is large
tank fifty or sixty yards square, and paw
ed all round with flights Of steps a small
sacellum is islanded in the middle, and
the water swarms with large fish, groups
of Brahmin worshipers and dancing girls
in their bright attire throng the steps, and
with the temple buildings around, over
which rise the feathery heads of palms
and cocoa.trees, the whole presents a tru-
ly Indian picture. We saw the god tax
en- in state for row on the tank, and au
airing round the square outside The TEN.
pie. Near midnight, when the full moon
rode high in cloudless heaven, his image,
not the very sacred one. which may not
be handled, but smaller, was brougb.
forth by pure Brahmins and placed under
a splendid canopy on a platform laid
across two large canoes. The whole
square of the tank was lit up with triple
line OF lights-small oil cressets at close
intervals-rockets and fire works ascen.
dcd incessantly, and the barge also bril-
liantly lit up. and carrying a band of dis,
cordant music, and Brahmins tanning the
image with silver fans, was punted round
and round the tank amid loud acelama.
tions. After this the image was placed
on gorgeous silver.plated 5eaked palau-
quin, and borne solemnly outside the TEN.
pie to the great idol car that stood dress.
ed up, and adorned with an infnity of
tinsel, flags, streamers and fower.wreaths.
On this it was lifted, and placed ia a
jeweled shrine, amidst a storm of applause
and clapping Of hands-these seem the
only occasions when the Hindoos do clap
their hands-and then. with all the com.
pany of Brahmins, headed by the Swan.
les marching in front, followed by fam.
beaux and wild music, the car was slowly
hauled by hundreds of votaries round the
square, which was Illuminated by three
lines of lights, ascending at intervals into
pyramids. A pause was made halfway,
when there was grand display of rocket
fire fountains and wheels, and two lines
Of camphor and oiled cotton laid along
the middle of the road were kindled. and
famed up brilliantly. Then the car
moved on to the entrance of the temple,
and the gods outing was accomplished
Among the jewels of the temple was an
image of the god ten inches long, of solid
gold, inclosed by broad horseshoe arch
of the same, wearing tall miter banded
with brilliants and small rubies, and with
a splendid cut sapphire. as big as form,
let into the breast. Remarkable also was
long string of pearls and emeraljs, the
former the size of large peas, the latter
OF nuts, but uncut, and several hawed.
Most wondrous was the emerald shrine.
presented of old by rajah of Mysorc
four clustered pillars, each of four futed
emeralds four inches long and as thick as
a pencil, support canopy of long thick
emeralds laid lengthwise, diminishing 10
the center, aud rest on a thick emerald
pedestal. In this shrine tiny gold i'm.
age of the god is placed on grand occa-
sions II is difficult to believe the stones
are real; If so, the value Of the shrine
must be stupendous, and exceed compu.
tation.-Fra Magazine.