THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
20(5 
and with a view to conciliate their favour. In the month 
of June or July at the new moon called perahar , a solemn 
and general concourse takes place to the various religious 
resorts on the islands. Every one that regards the festival 
betakes himself to some pagoda or other ; there is however 
nothing compulsory in these acts of worship, and with the 
usual indifference 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 with all the splendour of his court. It is on this 
occasion thaf lie 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 cus- 
tomary on this occasion for the people to make contributions 
of oil for lighting up their temples during the continuance 
of the festival. 
The festivals in honour of Buddou are not held in the 
temples where he is usually worshipped, but at a high hill 
and a consecrated tree. The mountain called Hammalleel, 
or Adam's Peak, is one of the highest in Ceylon, and lies 
at the distance of about fifty 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 supposed to be found 
