1848.] in the vicinity of Sad Jy ah, Upper Assam. 4G9 



should be inclined to think that no better explanation of its original 

 and pecular worship could be given, than what is written of the attri- 

 butes of Adi Buddha, and Adi Prajna, in the quotations from original 

 Sanscrit authorities on Buddhism, published in the Journal of the 

 Asiatic Society for the month of Feb. 1836. 



The altar is a hexagon, each face measuring about 8 feet inside. The 

 architecture quite plain, the wall two feet thick, showing on the outside 

 from the foundation 5 rows of sandstone blocks, varying from 10 to 8 

 inches thick, the masonry bound together with iron clamps. The inner 

 side of the wall is brick, and on the top is a coping of brick soorkee 

 without lime, which last looks like a comparatively modern addition 

 The whole space inside has been paved with rough flags of sandstone ; 

 and in the centre, placed north and south, is a large slab shaped like a 

 gravestone, containing the Linga, as represented in the rough ground 

 plan. 



In front of the altar on the West side, is a terrace or choubootra, 

 upon which offerings are placed.* In later days, since the proselytism 

 of the Ahoms, and the re-establishment of the worship at these 

 temples, the Boora Booree had a light roof supported on posts, cover- 

 ing the whole space ; this however is long since decayed and gone. 



At a distance of 180 feet from the North-East corner of the altar is 

 an outer rampart and deep ditch, corresponding exactly with the inner 

 hexagon ; and at a somewhat less distance is another, but lower rampart 

 of the same shape. There is no gateway, or the remains of one, visi- 

 ble in these outer works ; but a raised road leads out from the Western 

 face of the altar ; within the first enclosure, also in the North-West 

 corner, is the remains of a small tank, and about 20 paces in front of 

 the terrace is an upright stone (sandstone) with a moulding on the 

 edge, placed there I was told for sharpening the dhas of sacrifice. 

 The whole space is a dense jungle, and the site of the altar had to be 

 cleared, before it could be examined ; within the enclosed ground, as 

 well as on the inner rampart, are some of the most magnificent Nahor 

 trees I have ever seen. The surrounding jungle (underwood) is 

 mostly the wild Betelnut (as it is called,) and the vicinity of the spot 



* The most esteemed offering" made at this temple is a white buffaloe, but pig-eons, 

 kids, and ducks are also sacrificed along with offerings made of money, cloth, opium, 

 flowers, rice, and in fact every article of food. 



3 s 2 



