90» the HIMALAYA MOUNTAINS. 
access to it being far more difficult than to Budclrinauth ' 
and consequently to this latter, pilgrims flock in crow • ' 
appalled at the remoteness and danger of the former P'® 
of worship. This may pretty fully account for the sup^^ 
rior riches and splendour of Buddrinauth. Here are teu 
pies of considerable extent, priests and officials in abu 
dance, who preserve an imposing exterior, and an “PP®® 
ance venerable from power arid comparative magnihcenc^^ 
and consequently procure rich and ample offerings 
keep up their comfortable dignity. v 
The temple of Bhadri-Nath, is situated on the west ba" 
of the Alacknunda, in a valley four miles long, and o 
mile in its greatest breadth. The east bank rises co^ 
siderably higher than the west bank, and is on a le' , 
with the top of the temple. The position of the sanctum 
is considered equi-distant from two lofty mountains, '' 
.are 'designated by the names of the Nar and the 
Purvatas. The former is to the east, the latter to t 
west, and completely covered with snow from the su*i 
mit to the base. 
The temple of Bhadri-iiath has more beneficed l*''.^ 
attached to it than any sacred Hindu establishment 
this part of India. It is s.aid to possess 700 villagc^^j, 
different parts of Gurwhal and Kumaoon : many ot 
have been conferred by the government ; others hareb'’^^. 
given in pledge for loans’; and some few, purchasei 
individuals, have been presented as religious offering^’. 
The annual ceremony of carrying the images of tu 
gods to wash in the sacred stream of the Jumna is ('1^ 
pears) one of much solemnity among the inhabitant 
the neighbourhood ; and the concourse ot people j,) 
assembleil has been busily engaged, and continuc^^, 
be fully occupied in doing honour to it. They dn’ . 
to the sound of strange music, and intoxicate themsc^^, 
with a sort of vile spirit, brewed here from grain and 
ticiilar roots, sometimes, it is said, sharpened hy pePl ^ 
The dance is most grotesque and savage; a multito< j,i 
men taking hands, sometimes in a circle, sometim‘-’^,,|, 
line, beating time with their feet, bend witli one 
fir.st' nearlv to the earth with their faces, then back";'^, 
■iiid then sidewise, with various wild contortions. 1 ^ 
and tlieir uncouth dress of black and gr.ay blankets, b 
