CuAP. VII.] THE GREAT PAGODA. 551 



in the surrounding region. The islet on wliich it 

 stands is, and has been innneniorially, exempted from 

 cidtivation ; its inhabitants are interdicted from all se- 

 cular pursuits and callings, and the place consecrated to 

 devotion, solemnity, and repose. The temple or coil, 

 with its majestic towers, its vast and gloomy colonnades, 

 and its walls encrusted with carved work and statuary, 

 exhibits a grand exam})le of the style of sucli monu- 

 ments in Southern India ; though inferior in dimensions 

 to those of Seringham, Madm-a, and Tanjore.^ 



We found the vicinity of the Pagoda surrounded by 

 thousands of pilgrims from all parts of India ; mingled 

 with whom were fakirs of the most hideous aspect, 

 exhibiting their hmbs in inconceivably repulsive at- 

 titudes. Gaudy vehicles, covered with gilding and 

 velvet, and drawn by cream-colom-ed oxen, carried ladies 

 of distinction, who had crossed in pilgrimage from the 

 opposite coast, and beside the grand porch stood the 

 lofty cars of the idol, structures of richly-carved wood 

 adorned with vermihon and gold. At the great en- 

 trance of the temple, we were received by the officers, 

 and conducted round the immense quadrangle, supported 

 by innumerable columns. Here we were met by the 

 band of nautcli girls, who presented us Avith flowers, 

 and performed before us one of their melancholy and 

 sj)U'itless movements, which is less a dance than a series 

 of postures, wherein the absence of grace is sought to 

 be compensated by abrupt gestures, stamping the feet 

 and wringing the arms, to extract an inharmonious 

 accompaniment from the jingling of bangles and 

 anklets. 



On leaving the temple, we rounded the western point 

 of the island, and entered the gidf of Manaar, by the 

 Paumbam Passage, which here intersects Adam's Bridge. 



^ Detailed descriptions of the 

 Temple of Raniiseram, and its estab- 

 lislnnent will be fonnd in Lord Va- 

 lioatia's TrairU, lijc, vol. i. p. o.SO, 



kv. ; and in Cordinkk's Cei/loii, (Sr., 

 vol. ii. ch. XV. p. 12 ; I'krcivai/s C'e;/- 

 /o», cSV., vol. i. p. t<0. 



