PANBAN. 
343 
poverty, but are certainly very rich. I think it would be fair to 
oblige them to finish the temple, which is really a national orna- 
ment. They told us there were one thousand pillars in it ; but this 
seems a fixed number ; and as it was evidently built at different 
times, it is improbable that such exactness should be observed. I 
do not doubt that there are nearlv double the number. 
Mr. Salt staid to complete his drawings, and in consequence 
had an opportunity of seeing the gods carried in state to be 
bathed in the sea, at the extreme point of the island, which is con- 
sidered as most holy. It was formerly much farther off, but the 
sea makes continual incroachments. The great Rama embarked 
from this spot to drive Rawan and his evil spirits from Ceylon : 
hence arises the holiness of the place. The images were covered 
with jewels, and the heads alone were visible, which were of gold. 
The elephant on which they rode was richly adorned : but few^ of 
the chief Brahmins attended, nor was the crowd very great. They 
stopped to show them to Mr. Salt ; when the Aumildar, though 
of the Hindoo religion, observed to him, " a pretty way this to 
get money out of people s pockets." 
At eight in the evening I set off in my palanquin, attended by 
the Aumildar of Panban, and the Naig of the delogets on horseback. 
In two hours I reached Panban, distant nine miles. The road was 
paved the whole way, which had been done at different times by 
holy and affluent men. Nearly every hundred yards was a choultry,* 
and its attendant Brahmins. They were all drawn out to make 
their salaams as I passed, and the chief regularly presented me with 
fruit and flowers. The Aumildar's residence was neat, and he had 
* A building, generally of stone, for the reception of travellers. 
