834 Observation upon the past and present [Oct. 



idol, a Ganesha, several lings, &c. and has an allowance of five rupees 

 a day from the sirkar. 



The Maliks of most of the matas are gotafns or malis ; brahmans 

 of course perform the puja. Of the modern temples the principal 

 shelter forms of Vishnu. An Ananta, distinguished only by its 

 white sikra from the surrounding buildings, stands immediately 

 opposite to Ran a Khan's garden. It is only opened in the evening. 

 I was not permitted to approach nearer the idol, than the edge of a 

 low room, supported upon numerous wooden pillars, and about thirty 

 feet square. This room was dark, which gave a theatrical effect to 

 the lighted recess in the back ground, where the god and Lakshmi' sit 

 dressed in rich clothes : Garuda waits in front, while two or three 

 brahmans reading the scriptures in a low tone before them, increase 

 the picturesque of the scene. Nearly touching this, is a temple to 

 Bhagawdn, which differs in no respect from the last, but in the absence 

 of a Sikra. The fortunate god supported by Lakshmi', and Si'ta, 

 all gaily dressed adorns the recess, Garuda occupies his usual place, 

 and at the feet of the deities are ranged numerous small brass images, 

 of the various forms of the god. This place was built and is sup- 

 ported by the raja of Bagli. Here also as at the last temple, and for 

 the same purpose, that of heightening the effect, the spectator admires 

 in darkness and at a distance. 



The Sedasheo Naik, who has been before alluded to, has left 

 another monument of his munificence, in a splendid temple to 

 Janarddana in the very heart of the city which from its convenient 

 situation, and from the scriptures being daily read aloud there, has 

 numerous votaries. Four handsome sewalas occupy the corners of the 

 enclosing quadrangle, and ten brahmans (the number was formerly 

 50) daily receive food in the dharmsdlas. I was told also of a Jaggan- 

 ndth and a Badrindth worth visiting, but want of leisure prevented 

 my seeing them. The latter was built by the subscription of the 

 baniahs, and is said to be large and handsome. I must not omit among 

 the modern temples that of which the Jains were so unceremoniously 

 deprived*. This fine building bears the expressive names of Jubares- 

 war, the Zaberdast, and Jain Banjardswar, the Jam-expelling lord. 

 The ling, from the circumstances attending its consecration . has numer- 

 ous votaries, though considered far inferior in sanctity to the more an- 

 cient shrines. The exiled Pdrisndth, stands in a humble kotri, quite 

 close to the splendid mansion which was built for him, but I could not 

 obtain a sight of his image. Indeed my information regarding the 

 * See the story in Malcolm's Central India. 



