24 



placed on a wooden horse, whose forefeet are raised as if he was gaU 

 lopina:and his hind feet fixed on a wooden stand, carried by several 

 men who in their march imitate the rearing and lashing of a horse. 

 The idol holds a lance in his hand, and seems to be going a hunting. 

 On the snme dav also the Bramins cast, lots to know what will hap- 

 pen in the vear following. The animals and a:rain, on which the lot* 

 fall, will, as thev sav, be very scarce ; if they fall on oxen and paddy, 

 the oxen will perish, and the paddv be de-^ir : if they fall on horses and 

 elephants it is a sien of war. The Bramins tell the people that San- 

 keruntee. one of the Demi-Gods, comes every year on earth on this 

 day, to discover to them whether their future lot will be good or evil ; 

 which he announces by the grain he eats, and the animal he rides of 

 which they are informed by certain astronomical calculations. The 

 same evening the Hindoos, with their families, make presents to and 

 visit each other, to wish a good Punscall : somewhat after the man- 

 ner observed among Europeans wn Christmas and new Year's days. 



12. Tye Poosem— On the day of full moon when the moon is 

 in the constellation Pushyme in the month Tye this festival is so- 

 lemnized in the temple at Palany. It is very famous, and people 

 flock to it from all parts of the country ; and devotees who by par- 

 ticular reasons are prevented from going to that place, send presents 

 which are called Palany codum. This festival is also celebrated in 

 all the temples of Seevah, but with less pomp. 



13. Masy Makhum — On the day of full moon or on the next 

 day on which the moon is in the constellation Magham in the 

 month of Masy or February, March, this feast is celebrated. It 

 consists in performing ablutions in sacred water. The Hindoos are 

 enjoined to fast on that day and make the Turpanum to the spirits 

 of their deceased ancestors. 



14. Pungnyooturum — On the day on which the moon is in the 

 constellation Oottaru in the month Pungoony or March, April, 

 this festival is celebrated in the temples of Seevah in honor of his 

 wife, the Goddess Parvetee. 



The foregoing are the principal festivals observed by the Hin- 

 doos. The eleventh day of every fortnight is moreover kept holy 

 by the observance of a rigid fast, and on the days of the new and 

 full moon as y/ell as those in which an eclipse of either the sun or 

 moon takes pfkce, and on several other occasions, a demi fast is 

 observed by them. 



