SERINAGUR. 
211 
CHAPTER XX. 
The most striking object of art exhibited to 
the traveller after he quits Hurd war, that celebrated 
place of Hindoo pilgrimage described in the first 
volume of this work,* is a rope bridge, which 
crosses the river Alacananda a short distance be- 
low Serinagur. This town extends along the right 
bank of the river, which enters the valley close by a 
village named Seerkote. When the channel is filled 
during the rains, the stream is so rapid that no 
boats of any kind can cross it, and, a short distance 
below the bridge, is nearly a quarter of a mile wide. 
No idea can be formed of the extent of Serinagur from 
the engraving, as part of the town is concealed by 
the high rock which appears on the right of the pic- 
ture. It is a place of some extent for a hill town. 
“ It occupies nearly the centre of the valley, and is 
in length about three quarters of a mile, but much 
less in breadth, its form being elliptical. The houses 
are of stones roughly and irregularly put together 
with common earth, generally raised to a second floor, 
and all covered with slate. They are so crowded to- 
gether as to leave little more space for the street than 
is sufficient for two persons to pass. The house of 
the former Rajahs is in the middle of the town, and is 
* See page 203. 
