534 . SURVEY OF THE GANGES. 



roujid his arms, he wore bracelets, composed of precious stones. Otis 

 most of his fingers were golden rings, studded with sparkling gems. 



After the usual salutations, a short conversation passed, for about a 

 quarter of an hour; when he signified his readiness to condu6l us to the- 

 san6luary. On our arrival at the outer portico, we were requested tO' 

 take off our shoes; and having done so, we ascended five or six steps,, 

 and passed through a small door, which brought us to the area of the 

 temple. About twenty feet beyond, was a vestibule, raised about a foot 

 and a half from the terrace, and divided into tw apartments, the inner 

 one a little more elevated, and adjoining to the san6tuary. In the outer 

 room, two or three bells were suspended from the roof, for the use of 

 the religious visitants, who are not permitted to go beyond it. We were 

 not allowed to advance so far ; but taking our stand immediately in front 

 of the image, a few paces from the outer threshold, we had a perspe(51ive 

 view of the sacred repository. The high priest retired to one side, as the 

 dress he then wore was incompatible with his sacred functions. The 

 principal idol, Bkadn-JsTdt'h, was placed opposite to the door, at the farther 

 extremity ; above his head was a small looking glass, which refledte-d 

 the objecls from the outside :. in front of him were two or three lamps, 

 (which were all the light the apartment received, excepting from the 

 .door) diffusing such feeble glimmering rays, that nothing was clearly 

 distinguished. He was dressed in a suit of gold and silver brocade; 

 below him was a table, or board, covered with the same kind of cloth, 

 which, giittering through the gloom, might impress the beholder with 

 the idea of splendor and magnificence ; but an impartial observer might 

 suppose it one of those deceptions of priest-craft, which are so successfully 

 ipX2L6iisQd on the Eindu. 



