Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 2.djvu/87

 Chap. II.] HINDOO RITES AND CEREMONIES. 51

distributing consecrated flowers, and receiving free-will offerings of money in ad. return. After the gate is passed the temple "starts up full in view." The spectators keep moving along a narrow pathway on the south side between Festival of the temple and a portico, while the devotees pass on the outside of the portico itself towards the eastern side of the court. The proceedings which there take place are thus described: —

"Towards the wall there were stationed several blacksmiths with sharp in- struments in their hands. Those of a particular group that carried the rods, canes, and other implements, now came forward. One would stretch out his hand, and getting it instantly pierced through, in would pass one of his rods or canes. Another would hold out his arm, and getting it perforated, in would pass one of his iron spits or tubes. A third would protrude his tongue, and getting it also bored through, in would pass one of his cords or serpents. And thus all of a group that desired it, had themselves variously transpierced or per- forated. When these groups had finished, another group was waiting in readi- ness to undergo the cruel operation ; and so another and another apparently without end." Everything was now in readiness for the most solemn act of worship. It is thus described: — " Those of the different groups that carried in front the vessels already referred to, now ranged themselves all round the in- terior of the colonnade. All the rest assembled themselves within this living circle. On a sudden, at a signal given, commenced the bleating, and the low- ing, and the struggling of the animals slaughtered in sacrifice at the farthest end of the portico ; and speedily was the ground made to swim with sacrificial blood. At the same moment of time the vessel carriers threw upon the burning coals in their vessels handfuls of Indian pitch, composed of various combustible substances. Instantly ascended the smoke, and the flame, and the sulphureous smell. Those who had the musical instruments sent forth their loud, and jarring, and discordant sounds. And those who were transpierced began dancing in the most frantic manner — pulling backwards and forwards through their wounded members the rods and the canes, the spits and the tubes, the cords and the writhing serpents, till their bodies seemed streaming with their own blood." During this frightful scene the spectators looked on and applauded, ever and anon raising loud shouts of "Victory to Kali! Victory to the great Kali!" the grim idol which, seated within the temple, enveloped in a gloom artificially created by allowing no light to enter except by the door, was supposed to listen de- lighted to the homage thus offered.

Juggernaut, or Jagannath, justly designated as " that mighty pagoda, the Festival of

f. ,,. T. Juggernaut.

mirror of all wickedness and idolatry," stands on the coast of Orissa, near the north-western shore of the Bay of Bengal, at the end of the principal street of the town of same name, every span of which, as well as a large adjoining district, is regarded as holy ground. Being the first object which meets the eye of the stranger, who, after a long voyage, is approaching the mouth of the