18 



sliort fat man, witli the head of an elephant. The Hindoos oh* 

 serve the demi fast and for the celebration of the festival purchase 

 an image of Venayaca made of dried earth (some times painted) 

 which they carry home to perform the ordinary ceremonies to it. 

 The next day, or any other day this idol is carried out of the city 

 or village and flung into a tank or well. Those who chuse to be 

 at the expence, put the image upon a pompous chariot accompani* 

 cd by dancing girls and musicians, others have it carried on a 

 man's head. The Hindoos try their best to avoid seeing the moon 

 that ni^ht under a belief that in the event of doing so th^y will 

 be charged with some false., accusation during the year, because 

 Crishna who neglected this rule was falsely accused in his child- 

 hood of having stolen a gold gem from Prassana. 



12. Rishe Punchami— The fifth day of the increasing moon of 

 the same month is the festival in which the memory of the seven 

 great saints is commemorated. Women of an advanced age are in 

 general charged with the performance of the ceremony, which con- 

 sists in ornamenting and worshipping seven stones intended to re- 

 present the sages. They are obliged to fast the whole day and 

 night on the occasion. 



13. Anunta vrutum — This festival occurs on the 14th day 

 of the increasing moon in the same month. It is celebrated in 

 honor of Vishnoo * under the epithet of Ananta or infinite. 

 He is likewise known by the name of Anuntapudmanab- 

 haswamy. Those who keep it take but one meal and tie a red silk 

 string on the right arm. The only vessel they use on this occa- 

 sion is of copper plaistered all round with lime, and covered 

 with a cocoanut, on which they put some mango leaves and flowers. 

 This festival, as well as that of Varalutchmee wratum, in the month 

 of Shravana, and of Kadaury wratum in Aswirja is not obligatory : 

 but having once kept it, the celebration always must be continued. 

 Even the posterity of those who have observed it are subject to this 

 law, till they get released from their tacit vow. It is at Anunta- 

 sanum alone or Tervendrum in the Cochin country on the malabar 

 coast (where this divinity has his most celebrated temple) that a 

 release from the vow to observe this festival can be obtained ; for 

 this effect ablutions and purifications are repeated for several days, 

 and besides it costs a large sum of money. 



* According to the Pudma Pooranum, this festival is celebrated in honor 

 of Vishnoo alone, but in the Hurivunosa of the Bharatum it is said to be held 

 in honor of Vishnoo, Bramah, and Seevah, who are worshipped under the 

 iigure of a serpent, with a thousand heads. £d : 



