9 2 The Life of an Elephant 



luxurious present. Here, too, the pilgrims, 

 weary and sore-footed, offered adoration in the 

 dark temples, entered the sacred pools where 

 great fish jostled amongst the bathers, sub- 

 mitted to the loss of cherished locks by the 

 barbers' razors, and then, clean from all im- 

 purities of body and soul, paid largesse to the 

 priests and started on the homeward journey, 

 laboriously bearing jars of sacred water for use 

 in the rites and ceremonies of domestic wor- 

 ship. In one way this water was miraculous, 

 for it appeared never to diminish in quantity, 

 either by evaporation or even by sale on the 

 lengthy march. 



On the sand thousands of human beings 



o 



were encamped in the open, some sheltered 

 behind flimsy screens of grass, others, more 



wealthy, under 

 tattered huts, 

 but the majority 

 without shelter 

 of any kind. 

 During the day 

 they roamed 



