21 



some places they give the representation of the battle in which thi« 

 giant perished. The figures are made of dried earth and armed 

 Indians represent bis troops. 



22. Naga Chouty — The fourth day of the increasing moon in 

 the month of Cartica is set a part for the worship of the cobra 

 capella snake by pourhig milk into it's hole. 



23. Radha Suptamy — The seventh day of the increasing moon 

 in the eleventh lunar month Mag ha, is dedicated to the celebration 

 of this festival on which the Hindoos offer their Turpanams to the 

 spirits of deceased ancestors and homage is paid to the sun by of- 

 fering rice, milk and sugar boiled together to him. 



24. Mahasewaratry — The 14th day of the decreasing moon in 

 the same lunar month Mag ha is set a part for this festival which is 

 held in great esteem by the folio vipers of Seevah. They fast during 

 the day and pass the night in reading the Pooranas. 



25. Camadahanum-— Commonly called the Holy. The fif- 

 teenth day or the full of the moon of the 12th month Phalgoona 

 is dedicated to the celebration of this festival which is held in com- 

 memoration of Madana, the god of love having been reduced to 

 ashes by the eye of Seevah for his having dared to disturb his devo- 

 tions and render him enamoured of Parvatee. He was however res- 

 tored to Hfe again by that deity. All classes of Hindoos but espe- 

 cially Maharatta bramins, Maharattas, and Rajpoots sport on this 

 day in honor of the God of love whose picture is carried about with 

 great state and afterwards burnt. The ceremonies observed on the 

 occasion have been compared to the Saturnalia of the Romans, for 

 all classes of society are confounded while it lasts. 



Solar or Tamil Festivals. 



1. Varsharumhum or Vursha Porapoo — The eleventh of April, 

 the first day of the month Chitry, when the sun enters Aries is the 

 first day of the tamil year. It is kept as a festival by sacrificing 

 to the spirits of deceased ancestors and giving alms to the poor and 

 to the bramins. A good work performed on this day is considered 

 to be worth a hundred done at any other time. 



2. Dechanayana Poonyacalum — The first day of the 4th so- 

 lar month Audy or July- August when the sun enters Cancer is set 

 apart for religious observances such as the Turpanum &c. 



3. Audy Poor urn — On the day in the month Audy when the 

 ; moon is in the constellation Poorum the festival of Audy poorum is 



