Temple of Jaggannatha and of the Rath-Jatra. 255 
two hundred and twenty seers of rice, ninety-seven seers of kallai, twenty- 
four seers of mzng, a hundred and eighty-eight seers of clarified buffalo’s 
butter, ninety seers of molasses, thirty-five seers of vegetables, a hundred 
seers of milk, thirteen seers of spices, twenty seers of salt, and twenty-two 
seers of lamp-oil. This holy food is presented to the idol three times a day, 
and the gates are cautiously shut during this presentation, and none but a 
few personal servants of the idol are allowed to be present. This meal lasts 
for about an hour, during which period the dancing-girls attached to the 
temple (consisting in number of a hundred and twenty) dance and sing in 
the room with many pillars. On the ringing of a large bell the doors are 
thrown open, the food is removed, and the Rajah of Khurda, as high-priest 
of the temple, divides it with the priests. The Mahdprasdd prepared for 
sale to the pilgrims, or bespoken by the inhabitants, is not brought into the 
large tower, but collected in the Bhéga-Mandap, where it can be seen and 
properly sanctified by the idol from his distant throne. In addition to this 
food, a very considerable extra quantity is allowed for great festivals, and 
nothing can pollute the food prepared in the temple and sanctified by the 
idol JaccannAr’na ; but indeed nothing can be more convenient than such 
a belief, as of course you are aware that Hindus in general must eat their 
food where it is cooked, and a thousand things may pollute it. The conse- 
quence is, that cooks are employed to prepare food for most of the pilgrims, 
and at a price which of course varies according to the demand, but is always 
highest during the festivals ; and a few days before the festival of the Ra?’h- 
Jatra food is cooked and sanctified for at least a hundred thousand pil- 
grims: and it will be easily credited that on such occasions the above- 
mentioned four hundred families of cooks have as full employment in pro- 
curing food, as the three thousand priests have in attending the ceremonies 
of the pilgrims. 
Besides various minor, there are thirteen principal festivals celebrated at 
Jaggannat’ha during the year, viz. 
1. Chandana-Jdtrd cercccccsreccecees The powder festival. 
2. Sndn AO sadewnaeen coe ues vee Bathing do. 
3. Rath Agena nelesie 0 piesa doy 
4. Bdhara Deaton ussecovanss ane Do. returning. 
5. S'ayana AD deteticascvdatiestes Lying down do. 
6. Janma Oss iwivsctvossesqrvesx birthido, 
J. Kunja-grila d0..secrecreeserseeeees Arbour do. 
Vor. III. Bale, 
