SUHYEY OF THE GANGES: 532 



the temple, to which we proceeded before breakfast, having got intima- 

 tion from the Rauhil, that every thing was arranged for our reception. 



The town and temple of Bhadn-JVdt'h are situated on the west bank of 

 the Alacanandd, in the center of a valley, about four miles in length, 

 and one mile iti its greatest breadth. The east bank rises, considerably 

 higher than the west bank ; and -is on a level with the top of the temple. 

 The position of the sanctuary is considered equidistant from two lofty 

 mountains, which are designated by the names of the JSi'ar and Mdrdyena: 

 Parvatas. The former is to the east, and is perfe6lly bare; the latter ta ' 

 the west, and completely covered with snow, from the summit to the: 

 base. 



The town is built on the sloping bank of the river, and contains only 

 twenty or thirty huts,^ for the accommodation of the Brdhme?is, and other 

 attendants of the deity. In the center, is a flight of steps, leading from the 

 water's edge, to the temple, which occupies the upper part of the town. 

 The stru6ture and appearance of this edifice, are by no means answera- 

 ble to the expectations, that might be formed of a place of such reputed 

 sanctity, and for the support of which large sums are annually received, 

 independent of the land revenues appropriated for its maintenance. It is 

 built in the form of a cone, with a small cupola, surmounted by a square 

 shelving roof, of plates of copper, over which is a golden ball and spire. 

 The height of the building is not above forty or fifty feet ; but its advan- 

 tageous position, on the top of the bank, renders it the most conspicuous 

 object in the valley. The sera of its foundation is too remote to have 

 reached us, even by tradition ; but it is supposed to be the work of some 

 superior being. This specimen, however, of divine architecture, was too 

 weak to resist the shock of the earthquake, which left it in so tottering a 



