74 



TTl E N ULL AMULL AYS. 



Those which I have seen are two in number ; Mahnundy 

 about 8 miles east-south-east, and Vankarum 13 or 14 miles 

 north-east of Nundial, and there are traces of others along 

 the same line. 



Mahnundy is the famous spring, and is, at certain seasoi^ 

 the resort of thousands of people, who take part in the reli- 

 gious festival of washing themselves. A pagoda has been 

 built over or around the spring, the shrine, or most sacred 

 place, being built immediately over it ; while a small tank, 

 about 30 feet square and 5 feet deep, has been built to re- 

 ceive the water, as it passes away. The water is beautifully 

 clear and limpid, and of a faint blue colour, showing the sand 

 and stones at the bottom of a marvellously clear grey with 

 the edges quite irridescent in the sunlight. It is seen 

 quietly welling up from the bottom in one corner of the 

 tank ; and thence, outside of the pagoda, it rushes in a fine 

 stream to the Nundial tank. The temperature of the water 

 being about 89 Q , it is apparently warm in the cold weather, 

 and cool in the hot ; and, altogether,Mahnundy Pagoda tank 

 is the most delicious bathing place in the District. I saw 

 it first in April 1865 at 11 o'clock in the day, and the sun 

 overhead could not keep me out of the beautiful water. 



The other spring is a much smaller one, having also a 

 pagoda and tank which are now in ruins ; but the 

 supply of water might be much improved if the tank were 

 cleared out. Both localities are, as might be expected from 

 the supply of water, perfect oases of vegetation in this dried 

 up part of the district. The trees are magnificent in size and 

 foliage ; and there are a few which are not to be seen in 

 other parts, including the grand and beautiful Sago Palm. 

 These watering places are also great resorts of tigers and deer. 



A few remains of old tanks are to be seen around the 



foot of these hills, which are worthy of notice ; for in one 



