MYSORE, CANA 11 A ? AND MALABAR, - *43$ 
Mantrams, as also at births, marriages, full and new moons, at rUlAPffai 
Sanlcrdntis , or the first days of the solar months, at funerals, and at 
the Mala-paksha lately mentioned. These Ladas sacrifice to the' " ;1 -* 
Sahas , especially to the goddess Bhawdtn . The Pujaris or' priests 
in the temples of this idol are called Bombclas , oho observe the 
rules of Sannydsi, especially celibacy, and yet go absolutely naked. 
They have disciples, who are also Sannyasls , but who are not con- 
sidered as sufficiently holy to be allowed to show their nudities. 
Part of the sacrifices are eaten by the votary, and part by the Bom* 
kola; but the animal is sometimes made a burnt offering to the 
idol, which in this country is done, by no other cast. This burnt- 
offering is by the Ladas called Honiara, which is the same name that 
tjiie Brahmans use for their burnt-offerings ; hut these always consist 
of flour, or other vegetable matter, it is true, that the Brahmans 
have a burnt sacrifice of animals, which they call Yagam ; but it 
must be preceded fay such a severity of penance, and is attended 
with such enormous expense, that no one in these degenerate days 
is either willing or able to undertake such an offering. The proper 
Sakti P-uja, that ought to be performed to Bkawdni , has also fallen 
into disuse here among the Ladas ; but my interpreter says, that at 
Madras it is very common. The votary takes an ar. final, and offers 
it as a sacrifice to the idol in presence of a beautiful young woman 
who is perfectly naked. It is supposed, that any person who,, while 
in the performance of this sacred ceremony, should even look with 
desire at the charms exposed to his view, would be instantly struck 
dead; no one, therefore, undertakes it who has not great confidence 
in the power which he has over his passions. By the Brahmans this 
ceremony is much condemned, and ought to deprive any one of his 
cast that attempted its performance ; yet some of them are said in a 
private manner to have recourse to this superstition, as it is supposed 
to have wonderful efficacy in procuring temporal success and feli- 
city. . Some or the hadaru take the vow of Dasha, a nd at the same 
tune receive Chakramtikam. These beg- only one day in the wee' 
