1339.] 



Report on tJie Mackemcie Manuscripts. 



363 



the variola fever. A Tanfri, of another class of hierophf?nts,gave a prcper 

 explanafioii of this ciicumstance ; in consequence of which, processions 

 viere formed to cany the image to the river to bathe, after the siid time 

 was past. Festival observances are connei:ted with these pro-^essions. 

 (To all evasions as to images being only tokens of reinembrancp of one 

 Supreme, assis'ing the mind in His worship, sucii instances as th.^ pre- 

 ceding may be opposed in reply. The pueii'.ity of iioiatry, amazinj^ as 

 it is, could hardly proceed further tlian in the aforesaid example : it is on 

 this account solely, that I allow of its mention). The fane was burnt to 

 the ground in Collam year 843 ; and not a vestige remains. 



Sect'on 21. Account of Jrmu^aj fane, ia tli'^ district of Tiruvalla. — ' 

 p4,eferenee to tlie times of ihe Pandavi.s- and to five places dedicated 

 by Bhishir.a lo Bhu-devi or the god less of the earth, of v\-hi.'h this v/as 

 one. At the festivals isrge bamboos (teriued lUulat) were brought from 

 the mountains, tc form a booth before the fine; whence the name ^r- 

 vvalai (six bamboos) is derived. Ceriain old obsf^rvances formerly ex- 

 isted; but have not b-^en revived sin -e the place was burned down to 

 the ground in C. E. 9iJ (A. D. iZo.). 



Section 22. Account of the fane of Pat'ali Blngivati, in the Cotta- 

 karai distiicl.— A spirit of Bliodfa-Ca.i seized various animals as 

 tigers, alligators, and the like; doing much mischief to the country. 

 She a:so appeared to three persons in a dream; order; d a tane to be 

 built; and promi.sed in such case, to guarantee tlie conutiy from h.ostile 

 invasion. In consequence an image was pair. ted on ^U-.ss, accoi dirg to 

 the form of her a]>pparance in vision; the san;c was placed, nnd ritual- 

 ly set apartby P/-a^/.!,A/'t/, in a i'ane built to her honour : in which the 

 usual observan3es were continued. 



Section 23. Account of the fane of Mannadi- BJ/agnvafi, in the village 

 q{ Mannddi. — A potter, and his wife, lived on the banks of a stream ; 

 where a ferry boat was stationed. Two Br a' man women, and two ^udra 

 women, called to the potter's wife, one dac,to send over the boat; which 

 she stated herself to be unable to do. Tliey bid her loose the boat; and it 

 would come of itself. She obeyed, and the boat went over, and return- 

 ed. The four females thanked the {lotiet's wife: and announced lo her 

 much good. She begged of them to lodge for the niyht ; to e;it in one 

 hut; and sleep in anotherone. They consented: and the potter aided his 

 wife in procuring for them fruits, and other refreshments. In return 

 they announced to him, that he would be chief of the district. During 



