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the margosa tree (melia azadirachta) with tamarind juice and sugar 

 to their house- hold deities and afterwards partaking of the same 

 themselves. Alms are distributed among the poor and during the 

 day they divert and regale themselves in the hope of being happy 

 through the year, as they believe their happiness during the year 

 depends on the manner in which they begin it. 



2.. Sfree Rama Navam2/-^The ninth day of the increasing 

 moon of the same month Chaitra^ is the anniversary of the incar- 

 nation of V'shnoo in the form of Rama. This festival lasts nine 

 days, and is celebrated with great pomp in the temples of Vishnoo. 

 Each evenino' the God goes in procession through the streets, on dif- 

 ferent vehicles, and on the return of the procession, they expose 

 him in a muntapam, or stone Choultry of the temple, to receive the 

 adorations and offerings of tjie people. 



3. Chittera Pourname — The day of full moon in the month 

 Chaitra is celebrated by making offerings of boiled rice, milk and 

 jaggery in honor of Chitragoopta the Secretary of Yama who records 

 the vices and virtues of mankmd. On this occasion the Hindoos 

 observe the religious fast or okaproddoo as it is called by the Te- 

 lingas " eating but one meal." 



4. Narasimhnjugenti — The fourteenth day of the second lunar 

 month Vaisaca, is the anniversary of Vishnoo's avatara or the des- 

 cent of that deity, in the shape of a man with the head and claws of 

 a lion with a view to the destruction of the giant Heranneacasap. 

 The Hindoos pray to the deity and distribute among the bramins, 

 water in which jaggery, has been dissolved, together with bits 

 of cocoanut and beetlenuts. The devout bramins fast on this day. 

 This feast is likewise observed in the temples of Vishnoo. It lasts 

 nine days and processions are made provided any person will be at 

 the expense. 



5. Vyasa Pavernami — The day of full moon in the 4th lunar 

 month Ashadha, is kept in commemoration of Vyasa, the celebrat- 

 ed saint and founder of the vedanta philosophy. 



6. Nagachouty — The 4th day of the increasing moon in the fifth 

 Lunar month shravana is dedicated to the performance of nagapooja 

 which consists in pouring milk into a snake's hole and putting floAV- 

 ers and perfumes upon it. Females are generally charged with this 

 ceremony. 



7. Garooda Punckami — The 5th day of the same lunar month 

 is also dedicated to the worship of the serpent of Vishnoo. 



8. Varu Lucshmi Vruttum — This holy day is always kept on 

 the friday which precedes the full moon pf the same Lunar month 



