Morning journal and courier., 1892-04-12

Jewels and money pour in, and new build
ings are erected. Courts. halls, galleries.
q tank, pillared platforms, walls, eateways.
and towers slowly 60 around the shrine
the centre point of the edifce. Other
shrines of affiliated deities may group
themselves near the original, but the Null
ssthanum is always the same 1t holds the
image of the deity to whom the temple is
dedicated, and it is the scene of daily GER
emonies. At all risks, it must be jesiously
guarded against the intrusion of any but
the Twice-born. When Give took the
temple of Srieupgham-the largest in
sonrhern India and a powerful stronghold
in those days-two thousand fierce Rsjputs
stood before the door of the Mulasthanum,
declaring that the Europeans should only
pass In over their dead bodies Their su-
perstitions were respected, and Give left
the fanatics in undisturbed possession.
In preserving the integrity of the sacred
shrine. the Hindu has something more to
consider than his religions scruples. The
restitution of the divine OF mantric essence
is very expensive and intricate process,
requiring large sums of money for its diff
ferent rites. At Vellore there Is a hand
some temple which was desecrated years
ago by the Muhammedsns. They killed
COW in the Mulasthanum. The building
European may 60 into outer and inner
court as he pleases. The Mulssthsnum Ii
a small hall, richly decorated with carving.
Ii contains nothing but a stone dais, on the
face of which is d tortoise in outline. The
image rested formerly on the tortoise.
There Is a small gutter round the platform,
which conducted the sacred water-used
for the sblution of the idol-into a reser-
voir outside. Pilgrims drank of this wa
ter eagerly in belief of its miraculous pow
ers of healing and publication. The tenn
pie would probably be used again by Hin
du worshippers, if money were forthcom-
ing sufficient to RESTORE the divine essence.
The idol is not usually made of wood or
stone. 1t is moulded In an amslgsm of
hve metals: gold, silver, brass, copper and
lead. In sizs il is smaller than the human
figure. 1t is not called Swami" until
the mautric essence has been infused into
1t by the proper ceremonies. These are
Performed by the Brahmsns, who claim
she power of placing the essence in any OBJ
j-ct, animated or iusnimate, that they choose
Sometimes the object Ia q man, the chief
trustee. or "Moktesoor." He is then said
to be divine and is called Swami aud,
moreover, Is worshipped as god. The
daily ritual which concerns only the idol
takes place inside the shrine al intervals
during the day. No worshippers are pres
-nt except those who are taking part in
the function. The image is tended in eve
ry minute particular as though it were a
living human bring. Nothing is omitted.
Ii is washed with water from the sacred
tank. 1t is dressed and fed. 1t is sup
posed to take pleasure in the company of
the dancing girls; it sleeps and wakes,
and finally is put to bed. Daring its toi-
let, hymns of praise are sung, lamps are
lighted, camphur and incense burned, and
the tomtom is frequently introduced.
Part of the revenue of the temple pays for
all this, and great many Brahmsns find
their occupation and their living in it.
The ritual of the festivals is much more
imposing. The image is covered with
plates of gold and loaded With jewels. 1t
is carried in procession upon a huge car,
surmounted with a throne of silver. 1t
may now appear before the eyes of all,
and 1t makes a slow and magnificent Jour
ney round the outer courts of the temple
which are open to all csstes-and through
the town. Offerings IN kind and in money
and jewels are received. The dancing girls
are to be SEEN, their charms enhanced by
rich silk and gold; they are the daughters
and wives of the god and the children of
the devil. The value of their charms goes
to swell the offertory considerably. But
chief of all in the big festival is the Mok-
te-eor-now the Swami-iu whose body is
hidden the divine essence. His every &C.
ton, however lustful, is holy. He cannot
sin, for he is god; he, too. moves slowly
along, and the masses PROSTATE themselves
before him. For several days 1T a time he
personatss the deity, and his harvest is
great. During this period he assumes
what he considers a god-like demeanor.
His movements are slow and lethargic; he
affects to take no notice whatever of indi-
viduals; he receives the alteration and
worship offered to him with lofty indiffer-
ence; h- is tended like the idol and does
nothing for himself. 1t would be beneath
his dignity as god to stir finger TO help
himself. he is usually carried on q pslans
gum raised on Bearers shoulders; and il
he walks richly embroidered canopy 10
held over his head by Young Brshmsns,
who have qualified themselves for the hon
or by the rigid performance of rites.