320 



AROUND THE WORLD VIA INDIA. 



broom handles. In a few moments we were surrounded 

 by a large crowd of these pets of the priest, with whom 

 they are very familiar, but they mistrust the white 

 man and remain at a respectable distance from him. 

 They eagerly devoured the proffered food, roasted peas 

 and small crackers. The majestic tamarind tree be- 

 hind the temple was alive with monkeys of all sizes 



Fig. Gi. — Swami Bhaskara Nand Saraswati, the famous Ascetic 

 of Benares. 



and ages. Veteran monkeys of doubtful age and baby 

 monkeys on the backs of their mothers, were all equally 

 anxious to be benefited by the liberality of the visitor, 

 as visitors during this season of the year are of rare 

 occurrence. There are more than 300 of these monkey 

 gods in this temple. 



