1837.] 



Account of the Province of Ramnad. 



379 



and dirty. However, it is a place of much importance for trade, and 

 many Hindu merchants reside here. 



Salagramam is a populous village, situated about a mile .sast of a large 

 lake on the Sivaganga border, and inhabited by husbandmen, chiefly 

 "Velalars. It has two wide streets, and though the houses are neither 

 large nor beautiful, yet, being situated on a high ground, and having an 

 opening at the south and east sides presenting a variety of fields, for the 

 most part of the year in a high state of cultivation, it is very pleasant. 

 A manufacture of brown sugar is carried on here, and a plentiful mar- 

 ket is held on every Tuesday. It lies nineteen miles north-north-west 

 of the capital. 



Siiranam is a small village inhabited by Roman Catholics, seated be. 

 low the bank of a lake near the borders of Sivaganga. It is noted for a 

 beautiful Roman church, and is the residence of a priest, who has the 

 superintendence of all the Christian villages in this part. It lies five 

 and a half miles north of Salagramam. 



Kamenkotta is a populous village situated twelve miles north-west of 

 the capital, and south of the high road leading from Madura to Ram- 

 nad. Opposite this village is a beautiful pavilion sealed on the south 

 bank of a large and fine reservoir, which is filled from the river Vigay* 

 This part of the province is richly cultivated in paddy, and has garden 

 productions in great abundance. 



Pagalur is a small village seated below the bank of a large lake of 

 that name, lying seven miles to the west of the capital. It is celebrated 

 as being the place at which a ceremony is performed on the installation 

 of the zemindar or chieftain of Ramnad. This ceremony is held to be 

 most essential, as the inhabitants of this village are of the original stock 

 from which the guardian of Adam's Bridge was first selected, and there- 

 fore they retain the prerogative of bestowing the title of Setu-patti ; the 

 zemindars, in consequence, observe to the present day to resort hither 

 to receive the sceptre of authority, according to ancient usage ; the 

 ceremony continues for a few hours, and consists of a variety of pom- 

 pous rites. 



Gangakondun, a populous town seated on the eastern bank of the 

 Vigay river, lies ten miles north- west of the capital. It is composed of 

 several irregular streets, and has a very good market on every Sunday, 

 is well stored with grain, cotton cloths, and all articles of provision. 

 Extensive groves of Palmyra trees abound on the northern and eastern 

 banks of the river, the toddy from which is taken to Ramnad for sale. 



Ninarkovil is a large village near the confines of the Sivaganga coun- 

 try, seated on a pleasant plain well cultivated with dry grain. It lies 

 about fifteen miles north-west of Ramnad, and is distinguished for the 

 grand Hindu temple that stands in the centre of the village. Two an- 

 nual festivals are celebrated here in April and July. The place is held 



