1839.3 



Report on the Mackenzie Manuscripts. 



361 



blood of the victim was sprinkled thereupon. The origin of this 

 sanguinary sacrifice, as to any date, is not specified; but it is stat- 

 ed to have been regu'arly of annual observance, down to the year 

 of the Collani era UlS. In C. E. 9! 9, an dvesham or possession 

 of the spirit resident in the said image, came on a by-stander^ 

 at the time when the sacrifice; was to have taken place, directing 

 that for the future human sacrifices at her shrine sliould be discon- 

 tinued. (That year corresponding with A.p. Xf^'^ the said afflatus of the 

 evil spirit, can be accounted for, as a precautionary measure). From 

 that date human sacrifices have been set aside. Moreover the posterily 

 of the woman and child, sp ired on that occasion, now bear the name of 

 Adichamcir, who live in a village divided into the north and south quar- 

 ters, being fjur or five households, and inclusive of their children, amount- 

 ing, when the account was written, to 40 or 50 souls. They receive of- 

 ferings made to the shrine; and by an order from {he rajah they are 

 exempted from the payment of any taxes. Tliere is a small river 

 near the said fane, and since the Collam year 920 annually on 

 the day when the sacrifice used to be made, the headless trunic 

 of a dead body is seen on the river bank. No explanation of 

 this circumstance is offered; and, if any be asked, tlie only reply 

 given is that it is a divine secret."* (The inference of course is, 

 that the sacrifice was only publicly discontinued, but is slill privately 

 practised, possibly during the night). At the present day a public 

 sacrifice of sheep is substitute I for the human sacrifice. At this fane there 

 is neither inscription nor SVhala-puranam, 



Section 14. Account of the Sina-csh^tram at Corandi, in the same 

 district.— In the time of Parasu-Nama,iin evil spirit built this fan'^,in the 

 course of one night. No females are allowed to enter; not even the 

 queen. These must pay homage outside, njien only may enter within= 

 side, 



Sert'on 15. Account of the village district of Sanganaeheri, with its 

 village of the same name. — Titere is nothing of any consequence in this 

 section, beyond the mention of the building of the village fane. 



Sect'on 16. Account of Siva- c::{hetrain of Caiidhjur in the Mavali^ 

 /:araz district.— The name of the district is derived from MahahaU- 

 chacraverti. The fane is one of Crishna. The term Candiyar arises 

 from Mahahali having been resident, or seen there. (An example of 



* Daim rahasya. 



