224 
Religion of the Ceylonese. 
moon called perahar, a solemn and general concourse takes place 
to the various religious resorts on the island. Every one that 
regards the festival betakes himself to some pagoda or other ; 
there is however nothing compulsory in these acts of \rorship, 
and with the usual indilference of the Ceylonese to religious 
matters, where their fears are not interested, many keep away 
from mere caprice. At Candy, this festival is celebrated with 
great pomp, and is attended by the King in person, accom- 
panied wnth all the splendour of his court. It is on this occa- 
sion that he makes his princely offering to the deities, and joins 
his people in their acts of devotion. 
In November, when the moon is at full, there is another 
festival, which is celebrated in the night-time. It is custom- 
ary on this occasion for the people to make contributions of 
oil for lighting up their temples durii^g tlie continuance of the 
festival. 
These festivals are conducted wdth much more solemnity and 
splendour in the dominions of Candy than amongst the Cin- 
plese of the coast. Tlie festivals are numerous, in the whole 
amounting to forty-eight. They mre held on the 8th, 15th, 
23d, and 30th days of each lunar month, or rather at the new 
and full moon, and first and last quarters of each month. 
The festivals in honour of Buddou are not held in the temples 
where he is usually worshipped, but at a high hill and a conse- 
crated tree. The mountain called llammalleel, or Adam’s Peak, 
is one of the highest in Ceylon, and lies at the distance of 
about fffty miles to the north-east of Columbo. It is from the 
summit of this mountain, as tradition reports, that Adam took 
his last view of Paradise before he quitted it never to return. 
The spot on which his foot stood at the moment is still sup- 
