DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.640#0315
198 THE HINDOO MYTHOLOGY.
for fairings. Thieves and gamblers are very busy at these
times'; and upon the whole it is amazing how much a
European is here reminded of an English race-ground.
At these times I have seen the grey-headed idolater and the
mad youth dancing together; the old man lifting up his
withered arms in the dance, and giving a kind of horror to
the scene, which idolatry itself, united to the vivacity of
youth, would scarcely be able to inspire15. In England the
bait to corrupting amusements is merely a horse-race : but
in Bengal the Hindoo is at once called to what he considers
divine worship and to a licentious festival; no one imagin-
ing, but that worship and adultery may be performed in
the same hour. About four or five in the morning the
crowd carry the god back to the temple ; and then retire to
cure their hoarseness and rest their wearied bodies.
On the fourth morning, having brought the god home,
after the usual ceremonies, they sing songs in celebration
of the actions of Krishnu ; and continue them from ten till
1 In the year 1810, oh account of the depredation? of preceding years,
the magistrate of Serampore forbad the erection of booths and all games
at this festival: in consequence of which an expense of near four
hundred roopees, incurred in performing the ceremonies of worship, fell
upon the owner of the image of Krishnu, who would otherwise have
received as much from the proprietors of the booths and gaming shops.
k Illuminations, fireworks, and the gilding of their temples, give a
very shewy effect to Hindoo ceremonies, which are often performed at
the time of the full moon, and at midnight. A moon-light night in India
is highly pleasant. At the time of the Rash festival, I have seen a scene
so gaily illuminated and adorned, that the whole seemed enchantment;
every native, as he approached the god, threw himself on the ground
with the most profound reverence, and muttered his praise with rapture
as he mingled in the delighted crowd. Could I have forgotten that these
people were perpetrating a dreadful crime, and that these nightly
festivals were connected with the greatest impurities, I should have been
highly gratified.
for fairings. Thieves and gamblers are very busy at these
times'; and upon the whole it is amazing how much a
European is here reminded of an English race-ground.
At these times I have seen the grey-headed idolater and the
mad youth dancing together; the old man lifting up his
withered arms in the dance, and giving a kind of horror to
the scene, which idolatry itself, united to the vivacity of
youth, would scarcely be able to inspire15. In England the
bait to corrupting amusements is merely a horse-race : but
in Bengal the Hindoo is at once called to what he considers
divine worship and to a licentious festival; no one imagin-
ing, but that worship and adultery may be performed in
the same hour. About four or five in the morning the
crowd carry the god back to the temple ; and then retire to
cure their hoarseness and rest their wearied bodies.
On the fourth morning, having brought the god home,
after the usual ceremonies, they sing songs in celebration
of the actions of Krishnu ; and continue them from ten till
1 In the year 1810, oh account of the depredation? of preceding years,
the magistrate of Serampore forbad the erection of booths and all games
at this festival: in consequence of which an expense of near four
hundred roopees, incurred in performing the ceremonies of worship, fell
upon the owner of the image of Krishnu, who would otherwise have
received as much from the proprietors of the booths and gaming shops.
k Illuminations, fireworks, and the gilding of their temples, give a
very shewy effect to Hindoo ceremonies, which are often performed at
the time of the full moon, and at midnight. A moon-light night in India
is highly pleasant. At the time of the Rash festival, I have seen a scene
so gaily illuminated and adorned, that the whole seemed enchantment;
every native, as he approached the god, threw himself on the ground
with the most profound reverence, and muttered his praise with rapture
as he mingled in the delighted crowd. Could I have forgotten that these
people were perpetrating a dreadful crime, and that these nightly
festivals were connected with the greatest impurities, I should have been
highly gratified.