Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-05-15
Letter from the Antipodes.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
IN THE FAR EAST.


IN THE FAR EAST.
Bombay, March /, 1902.-Benares, COM
monty called Kasi by the Hindoos, IL the
Holy City of India and one Of its most an
cient ones, but its history is lost in obscurity.
However it was an important city six cen
turtles be fore Christ The whole object of a
devout Hindoo is to reach Benares before
death overtakes him. Every anna that can
be- saved is boarded with Jealous care that
at least in their extreme old age they may be
able to gaze on its old temples and battle III
the sacred Ganges and last but not least i'm
portant that their ashes may be swept into
the beloved river. As you near this wonder
full old city after fourteen hours ride from
Calcutta, the roads are everywhere lined
with pilgrims walking single file except
when they are aiding one who is sick or
almost too weak to go much farther. They
are fOotsore, dirty and worn out. yet they
creep along to their Mecca. The women are
no cleaner than the men, yet wound ar >und
their heads or gracefully draped from their
shoulders are wonderfully BEAUTIFUL scarfs of
nqtivc mandatory and embroidered fire.
qucntly with gold aud silver thread. Their
ears have fom three to six pairs Of earrings,
a nose ring, many bracelets on their arms,
anklets of silver on lower limbs ending with
many toe rings Of wonderful construction,
some of the rings chained together across
the foot, and IN addition many glass and gold
beads form head gear as well MS neck lace.
Imagine if you can the whole wealth of the
woman in her jewelry combined with dirt
in the extreme, yet you must bear in mind
the scarcity Of water and that all water iol
household use is carried on the head OF the
women frequently from great distance.
Rain in some portions of northern India sell
dom occurs, possibly once in year, and
in some places no rain has fallen Tor three
years. The dust ana parched appearance OF
the country aud cities is by no means iuvit-
ing, and driving, except when the streets
are watered which is seldom, by no means n
pleasure. Benares Is well known tor Its or
namentcd brass work as well as shawls, silks
ana GIlUIDlutllcS anu u otlbIi thio"Sb ''S
narrow streets with their work shops in
front is most interesting. Btggars are plen.
uful but so little makes them happy that one
feels inclined to give frequently.
The Durga Temple is usually called the
Monkey Temple by Europeans from the
myrads of monkeys which fill the large
trees near by. They are all quite tame and
gather around you for sweets which are sold
by the attendants. The monkeys are of large
size With very long tails and being sacted
animal they have much freedom and are not
molested.
Tie Temple is orange colored and stands
in quadrangle surrounded by high walls.
In front is the band room where the priests
beat large drum three times day. When
you enter the gate you are met by high
priest who in welcome, and with the expec-
tation of getting rupee throws around your
neck garland of flowers. 1t is considered
quite an insult not 10 accept them SO one
submits with good grace to be flower be-
decked A Temple dedicated to the worship
of the COW is near by, the doorways leading
into the sanctuary are small fr the crowd
that iostle in and one is compelled 10 keep
lookout for his pocketbook. Here again
yellow flowers are handed you but as they
expect only a very small sum of money one
gives it glad to get in at so little cost,
The Sacred Cows are all mouse colored,
kept perfectly clean and they SHINE like gray
satin. They are in separa; ed stalls open to
the air in a large compound The stalls be-
ing of white marble are very clean. do
not dislike the odor of a clean stable, but
combine this odor with that Of the thousands
of filthy pigeons which crowd in daily and
the combination Is tar from desirable. The
Sacred Cow for the day of our visit was a
beauty. She was on raised platform Of
marble surrounded by her worshipers, look
ing at them with her mild eyes and wonder
ing what all this fuss was about l was
about to get on the platform but was told
l should have to remove my shoes but as
there Was no water to wash my feet after
wards concluded my feet would be cleaner it
I did not attempt it.
Continued next week
HENRY r. CROFT