Page:Wanderings of a Pilgrim Vol 1.djvu/292

 CHAPTER XX.

SCENES AT ALLAHABAD—PILGRIMAGE TO THE TRIVENI.

The old Brahman—The Triveni—The Achivut—The Pātal Pooree—Temples of Bhardoajmun—Radha Krishn[)u]—Hindoo oath—The Tulsī—The Peepul-tree—The Letin leaves—Lamps in the air—Paintings on Ubruk—Impressions on leaves and flowers—The Mootee Musjid—The Crows a pest—Byā birds—Haymaking—The silver Tankard—An Earthquake—Transferring diseases to flowers—Perjury—Farming operations—Oats—Bhoodder Ram the Dwarf—The Camel—The Powder-works and Rocket manufactory.

1831, July 6th.—I study the customs and superstitions of the Hindoos so eagerly, that my friends laugh and say, "We expect some day to see you at pooja in the river!"

In one of the temples near the Circuit bungalow, I was surprised at seeing two small brazen figures of Krishn[)u] and his love Radha, or, to speak more correctly, of Radha Krishn[)u], dressed up in silks and satins. Making a reverence, "Salāmut," I exclaimed, in Hindostani, "yah! yah!" "Oh, my father, what a beautiful Krishn[)u] is this! and there is Radha the beloved. This is, indeed, a Krishn[)u]; I never saw so beautiful a fellow!" The old Brahman made many salāms and reverences, exclaiming, "There is an excellent mem sāhiba! she understands all, she understands every thing!" As Krishn[)u] of yore charmed every woman who beheld him, so that quitting all on earth they followed and worshipped him alone, I suppose the old Hindoo imagined his god still retained the power of fascination.

PILGRIMAGE TO THE TRIVENI.

The Hindoos think it most meritorious to make a pilgrimage