M2 SURVEY OF TOE GANGES, 



condition, that human efforts were judged expedient, to preserve it from 

 ruin ; and the repairs, which it has lately undergone, have completely 

 iTiodernized its external appearance. The body of it is constructed of 

 large flat stones, over which is a coat of fine white pisister, which adds to 

 .the neatness, but has destroyed all its outward pretensions to antiquity, 



NoTWiTHSTA'NDiN"G tlie sommons, 'we were not allowed immediate 

 access to the temple ; as it was first necessary to have an inteni'iew with 

 the Rauh'i, who was to introduce us, in due form, into the presence of the 

 sacred image. Instead^ therefore, of ascending, we went down the steps, 

 leading to the baths. About the middle of the bank, is a large cistern, 

 about twenty or thirty feet square, covered in with a sloping roof of deal 

 planks, supported on wooden posts. This is called Tapta-Cwidy and is 

 a warm bath, supplied by a spring of hot water, issuing from the moun- 

 'taln, %y a subterraneous passage, and conducted to the cistern, thripugh 

 a small spout, representing a dragon's or a griffin's head. Close to it, 

 is a cold spring, which is conveyed by another spout ; by which means, 

 the water may be reduced to any degree of temperature, between the two 

 extremes. The water of the Tapta-Cmd is as hot as a person can well 

 bear; and from it issues a thick smoke, or steam, strongly tainted with 

 a sulphurous smell. The side of the cistern, towards the river, is raised on- 

 ly to the height of three and half or four feet ; and over it, the water flows, 

 as the supplies are received from the opposite quarter. This is the prin- 

 cipal bath, in which people of both sexes perform their ablutions, under 

 the same roof .; without considering any partition necessary, to preserve 

 the appearance of decency. The water from this Cw/zt^, independent of 

 its supplying the cistern, is conducted through the huts and private 

 houses, to which it imparts a suffoeating warmth. 



