Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-06-24

far above IL IN fun view is the snowy
range Of the Himalaya mountains, with
kinchingunga rising up to the height OF
5000 feet, OF twice as high as Pixies Peak,
Colorado. At Tiger hill, about six miles
from Darjeeling and 1900 feet higher,
Mount Everest can be plainly seen. the
king OF the worlds greatest mountain
range, 5000 feet above sea level From
Tiger hill fifteen peaks may be counted in
the snowy line higher than Mount Blanc,
the highest peak In Europe, and eleven
over 1000 feet"
Most Wonderful Scenery.
This is without doubt the most wonderful
scenery l have looked upon 1t is worth
a world trip to see It as l saw It. Re
turning to Calcutta, 1 started on my rail-
road trip for Bombay, stopping at the most
important places on the way-first at ia
malpur, where the great shops of the East
India Railroad company are located, the
Altoona of India. There the YOUNG Mems
Christian association work is being tested
with a view to it's extension to all the
railroads of India. After a days sojourn
went to Benares. situated on the left
bank Of the Ganges river, probably the
Oldest city in India and for thousands OF
years the most holy city of the Hindoos,
who constitute about one-third of the
worlds population.
In the sixth century, b. c., Guatoma
Buddha selected Benares as the center
from which his faith should be preached.
He made his residence at Sarnath about
four miles distant, which is now a waste
Of colossal Buddhist ruins, in the midst
II which the relic of a very large old
tower, or monument. is very conspicuous.
At Benares there is no end Of temples,
shrines, CHATS, or steps, wells and tanks
all associated with religious worship and
cleansing from bodily ana spiritual deflo-
ment. The River Ganges, in conjunction
with other mythical rivers at Benares, IS
the one great visible object of their faith
and worship. All the Hindoos that can
battle in the Ganges or the wells and
tanks near IL at least once a year. with a
superstltious belief that great good will
come to them in consequence.
Burning of Bodies.
One OF the most singular things done at
one of the CHATS, or steps, close to the
Ganges river, is the burning of the bodies
Of deceased Hin loos and the pushing with
a long stick the half burnt parts of these
bodies down into the river as you would
the burned pieces of animals, to be eaten
by fish, vultures and dogs. Dogs, vultures
and other carnivorous birds are there in
great numbers for this purpose. went
out on the river In a boat with a native
guide, when 1 could see all that was
done plainly. 1t was a repulsve sight.
When / was on the river a mother, with
the dead body of her baby wrapped in a
white cloth, entered a boat and tied a
large stone to the body; then, weeping,
handed It to another woman on the boat,
and went ashore to her husband. The other
woman was rowed to the center Of the
river, where, in sight of it's parents, she
threw the baby into the river. Small
children at their death are often thrown
into the river, while older persons are
burned and their ashes or parts of their
bodies cast into the river. There is
constant stream Of pilgrims to Benares for
personal benefit
Sacred Place of HindOOs.
I stopped next at Allahabad, near the
junction OF the Ganges and Jumma rivers,
another very sacred place of the Hindoos.
At this junction OF sacred rivers the Hin
docs meet yearly to battle and wash them
selves for personal healing and cleansing
from sins In January of this year 1t is
estimated that over 100000 of Hindoos
were in camp at this place for bathing
washing and worship. To hold this vast
multitude under control the guns OF the
great fort near by was trained in readiness
constantly. In this old fort is stone pillar
that was built 100 years before Christ, and
went to Lucknow, famous for Its part In
the Sepoy rebellion of 1857. visited the
scenes Of that great contest, but have no
space to speak of them. At Agra / spent
two days, a very short time to see and
study its wonderful buildings, tombs, etc
The first day visited the old fort, which,
besides its high walls and apartments for
defence and safety, contained the splendid
mosque and the palace, with its bewilder-
ment OF buildings, courts and chambers
comfortably situated and beautifully
adorned The day scarcely afforded time
for a mere glimpse at the things to be seen.
The next day I visited the tomb OF the
Emperor Akbar at SlSandra. FIVE miles
north OF Agra. This tomb consists Of
large four-story building, with many finely
finished and decorated Railways and cham
bers and surrounded by a charming garden
and high walls with ornamented gates. The
real tomb is in a large vault below the first
floor OF the main building and is entered by
descending plane. Returned to the city
of Agra and crossed the river to the tomb
of It-mad-ud-Daulah, the grandfather Of
the lady of the Tai Mahal. Passing
through the entrance gate Of this tomb,
there appeared in full view one Of the most
symmetrical and beautiful buildings 1 ever
saw. BY closer inspection from base to top
II proved to be a marvel OF art and beauty
I then visited the Tai Maral. This tomb
OF building. with its exquisite arrange
ments and masterpieces of art, stands
doubtless without n rival at the head OF
the worlds list. II must be seen and
studied often to be fully appreciated. It's
marble screen work about the tomb, lighted
up by the bright rays OF midas sun, DIFF
fused and softened through the outer mar
BILE screens, is its GROWING excellence.