The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-05-19
AMONG TRE HEAIYEN
Historic denominations Which
Flourish at BenareS.
BATHING AND CREMATION
Cow and Monkey Worship
Swami the Philosopher.
BATHING AND CREMATION

! arrived at BenareS IN the middle d tHe
night by train that was crowded with
pious pilgrims. AS hotels are out Of he
question in the sacred city, I was Obliged
to content myself with the poor comfort
that transferable little bungalow staten
afforded. The natives, who are at heart
hospitable hustled about, and in fey
minutes triumphantly installed what they
called "Afemsahib's bed" a reclining chair
upon which they piled Indian comforters.
These, with my travelling rugs formed MY
bed, and I managed TO get some sleep be-
tween midnight and daybreak.
To properly see Benares, one must rise
with the sun and hasten to the river,
where the most interesting religions cere-
monies are always in progress. The de-
vout Hindu is matinal and performs his
sacred ahIutions in the holy river at day
break He also chooses the same hour for
the burning of the dead-a horrible spec
tacle which I shall never forget.
I drove to the river side in a rickety
CHERRY" as they call them. and upon
arriving found an odd-Iooking fat-boat
waiting for me, which my travelling SER
want had secured for our trip down the
river. The boat was built in two sections,
one for the boatman and their families
and the other for the passengers I con-
fess the passenger section was rather
shaky affair. a kind of platform over the
cabin Of the boat, provided with several
cane chairs that have tendency to slide
off when the boat is in motion However,
one mus take what one can get here.
At every few feet along the bank of the
historic river We're bathing platforms.
each, as well as the temple behind it. be-
longing to the various native rulers, who
all have a right to a representative place
Of worship at Benares. In spite of the
early hourand the chill in the air-for it is
cold at sunrise in India-there were hun
dreds and hundreds Of men, women and
children preparing to battle in the holy
water. Not that the actual preparation of
undressing required many minutes for
their scant clothing is easy to lay aside,
| but their spiritual preparation takes time.
and when they are carried away by relig-
ious enthusiasm they devote hours to pre-
pairing" chanting prayers and beating
their breasts until they are exhausted.
The priests eXhort and encourage the
pious in their religious frenzies, taking
advantage Of their enthusiasm to sell
them quantities Of flowers and essences
which are to be thrown in the river as. an
offering to the river god. Some Of the
more enterprising shepards were estab-
! lished in bamboo tents or sat under huge
] umbrellas and received their flocks with
| ceremony, cOunselling them to pursue
/ their religious devotons, and, always with
| an eye to business, to buy huge stocks of
/ sacred objects and offerings.
/ Not only does the faithful Hindu battle
! his body in the holy river. but he also
takes the occasion to thoroughly purify his
/ own and all the family linen.
When he IS prepared" for his additions
! he throws his offerings into the river, and
/ after unwinding his garments pIunges in
| himself. The publication Of his mouth fol-
! lows that Of his body, and he scrubs his
! lips and tongue until the skin peels off
| After the cleansing Of the body comes the
/ cleansing of the garments, which he puts
! on again while still wet, that they may
! preserve their purity. IF he is satisfied
! with his devotions the priests expect the
! pious HindO TO leave a fitting sum of
! money to be used for holy works and to
| remain some hours on the river banks in
| contemplative prayer. To demonstrate his
! publication and to vindicate the god he
! orships the native streaks his forehead
! with bands Of whits powder interspersed
! with red spots or triangles. which all have
religious Specification. The extremely
| pious also cover their necks and ears and
even their bodies with signs, while the
"Yosis." or holy men, treat themselves to
an entire coat Of powders and paint.
was deeply impressed by the apparent
/ sincerity Of the worshippers. The Dro-
/ found faith of the Hindu people is to be
admired, and their power Of contemplate
i've prayer is little short of remarkable. ]
nave seen them remain for hours and
hours wrapt in spiritual meditation, utter
" ohlivious to all physical needs or dis
comforts.
There is a temple and pavilion which is
used only twenty-four hours once every
year by its owner. This is because the
reiEning Maharaiah Of Benares has for.
hidden his fellow-prince of MaIabar. who
owns the now. closed temple. to set foot ir
the holy city executing for a dav and ?
night each yetr. This exclusion is to re-
venEe slight offered the Maharaiah Of
/ Benares to his neighbor
The story goes that when the Prince ot
Wales was in India a great holy festiva
was organized in his honor at Benares. L
was decided that the place Of honor besi5.
the Prince belonged 70 the Naharafah n
Bsn3res youth stiI I'm his teens. BUT a.
the last moment the Nahara5ah Of n.
Ma5abar country. no barred from Renares
managed 20 obtain the coveted nIace o.
honor The boy monarch Of Benares .nev
or torSave the loss Of the place When y,
came Of age he issued q royal order for
'ialnE the Prince IF NIaIabar to enter hi.
state under the main Of death. And h.
was 50 decided about il that the EaSlisl
were ohiSe5 10 let him have his way. and
obtained permission, only with great dim
Guilty. and ~ the solicitation Of the priests
that The Maharajah Of Afa'abar might e7
Ter henares once a year and purge hirree'
Of ms sins that his soul might not De los
for an eternity
The river Ganges serves also rs a bury
inS ground for the Hindu Bodies ar.
burned and the ashes are thrown i~.o tn.
sacred waters. or taey are cast into ~,
river rs soon IS Ike S. extinct.
saw the burial If TWO bodies along IA
streanl-a srswsou1e sieht. The r,-rs.
were brought n the 'ehat." rs the p.ae
is called ready Tor tfo pvre. All the Fam
i.y aoc7mpa1ied each. When they reae hs
the edge If the st-esm one Of she groom
OF relatives cast their body at once int
tae river. The other group conveyed thsi
dead relative TO The funeral nyre. a h--
pile ct wooden fsgats uno1 which tra
placed r. the tace towards the san. Ever
one rsanted prayers. and the- thew Il
sl.att.a On IRE .-rltlnd Mn. IL. -