Ethnology. 



MANUAL OF THE NtLAGIRI DISTRICT, 195 



" Squeezing some of the jniee of the bark into a leaf-cup containing CIIAP. IX, 

 water from the stream or spring, he raises the cupful with the right PART I. 

 hand to his forehead in token of respect ; then lowering it to his 

 mouth and drinking off the contents, passes the empty leaf round over 

 his head and left shoulder, then depositing it behind his right side. 

 This formula is repeated three times, using a fresh leaf each time. 

 Next he takes the remainder of the bark and rubs his naked body all 

 over with it, washing himself immediately with fresh water." 



After thirty days of this exposure in the wilds, he is allowed to 

 enter upon his duties, and from henceforth he inhabits a small 

 hut in the lonely TIrien-mand} 



He renounces women and lives a life of rigid asceticism. The 

 office of Palal is seldom, if ever, held for life. There are instances 

 of its being held for fourteen years, but the ordinary period is 

 from two to three years. "^ 



The dress of a Palal consists of a scanty black cloth. These are 

 woven by the Badagas of Jackaneri. 



Priests of the second order are' qalled VarzhdJ .'^ They go 

 through the same ceremonies as the Pdldl, but hold office for a 

 shorter period and are employed as milkmen. They wear only 

 the linguti. 



The next two orders seem to be identical with the Varzkdl, but 

 their designation depends upon the mands to which they belong. 

 They are called, respectively, Kokvdli and Kurptdi. The last, 

 Pdlkdpals, i.e., milk watchers, are a lower order. They are not 

 obliged to lead a celibate life and may wear the pufkuli. 



It is said that the Pdldls make up for their austerities by 

 paying occasional visits to Badaga villages. They are held in 

 great reverence for their sanctity and for their supposed acquain- 

 'tance with the black arts by the timid Badagas, who readily 

 supply them with such luxuries as ^hey have to give. The Pa Ml 

 appropriates all the milk of the sacred herd. It is considered too 

 holy tu be sold as milk, but what remains when the Pdldl and 

 Kdvaldl have had their shares is made into ghee, and in that 

 state sold to the laity and the Badagas. 



There are tw-o kinds of temples; one,^ called Boa or Boath, is a Temples. 

 conical roofed building surrounded by a wall. There are four in 

 the hills : — 



* 1, called Manhon at Muttinad mand about four miles from 

 Ootacamand on the left of the Segilr road. 



' i.e., the sacred buffalo mand, tiri, honorific jirefix holy ; eri~h-om t'r, buffalo. 

 ' From Varimha, year + 61 — Kan. 



^ For a minute descrij)tion of a Ron interior and exterior see Marshalf,. 

 * Breeks. 



