DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.614#0084
48 BENARES, PAST AND PRESENT. ..
regular manner by the hotwal before bis royal master.
The agents of tbe Ttotwdl are stationed all along the
Paneb-kosf road, and are tbe gods or idols located there,
■who are supposed to act as chaukidars or -watchmen over
the entire boundary. The office of these watchmen is to
ward off all evil from the sacred city, to contend with
such enemies as they may meet with endeavouring to
break in upon the outer inclosure, and to send in their
reports to the god-magistrate Bhaironath.
Bisheswar, in his capacity of idol-king of Benares,
demands the homage of his subjects, and will not resign
his rights to the other deities who throng his dominions.
His subjects must, first of all, worship him, and must
bring their offerings to his shrine, of which he, or rather
his rapacious priests, are exceedingly fond. Although
without mouth or throat, his thirst seems to be great; for
one of the most plentiful offerings presented to him is
that of Ganges water, with which, in the hot season, he
is kept perpetually drenched.
It is no matter of surprise, therefore, that Bisheswar
should receive more adoration than any other idol in
Benares. Not only the permanent inhabitants of the
city, but also pilgrims and other travellers, may be seen
pressing into the temple during the greater portion of
the day. The worshippers are of all classes and con-
ditions, and present a singular, and even picturesque,
variety of appearance. Among the most prominent of
these is, we need hardly say, the proud, half-naked Brah-
man,—with shaven head, save a long tuft depending
from his crown behind, the sacred cord being thrown
over one shoulder or ear, and the symbol of S'iva being
regular manner by the hotwal before bis royal master.
The agents of tbe Ttotwdl are stationed all along the
Paneb-kosf road, and are tbe gods or idols located there,
■who are supposed to act as chaukidars or -watchmen over
the entire boundary. The office of these watchmen is to
ward off all evil from the sacred city, to contend with
such enemies as they may meet with endeavouring to
break in upon the outer inclosure, and to send in their
reports to the god-magistrate Bhaironath.
Bisheswar, in his capacity of idol-king of Benares,
demands the homage of his subjects, and will not resign
his rights to the other deities who throng his dominions.
His subjects must, first of all, worship him, and must
bring their offerings to his shrine, of which he, or rather
his rapacious priests, are exceedingly fond. Although
without mouth or throat, his thirst seems to be great; for
one of the most plentiful offerings presented to him is
that of Ganges water, with which, in the hot season, he
is kept perpetually drenched.
It is no matter of surprise, therefore, that Bisheswar
should receive more adoration than any other idol in
Benares. Not only the permanent inhabitants of the
city, but also pilgrims and other travellers, may be seen
pressing into the temple during the greater portion of
the day. The worshippers are of all classes and con-
ditions, and present a singular, and even picturesque,
variety of appearance. Among the most prominent of
these is, we need hardly say, the proud, half-naked Brah-
man,—with shaven head, save a long tuft depending
from his crown behind, the sacred cord being thrown
over one shoulder or ear, and the symbol of S'iva being