At every large temple, there is at least yearly one grand procession.
The idol is brought out from its inclosure, and placed in a great car or
chariot, prepared for this express purpose. This stands upon four wheels
of great strength, not made like ours, of spokes with a rim, but of
three or four pieces of thick, solid timber, rounded and fitted to each
other. The car is sometimes forty or fifty feet high, having upon it
carved images of a most abominable nature. I must not tell you any thing
about them. The car, when finished, presents somewhat the shape of a
pyramid.
[Illustration]
On the day of the procession, it is adorned with painted cloth, garlands
of flowers, green shrubbery, and precious stuffs. The idol is placed in
the centre, loaded with jewels, etc., to attract the attention of the
people. Having fastened ropes to this enormous car, eight or nine
hundred or a thousand people catch hold of the ropes and slowly drag it
along, accompanied with the awful roaring of their voices. At certain
periods they stop; when the immense crowds, collected from all parts of
the country, set up one universal shout, or rather yell. This, with the
sound of their instruments and numerous drums, produces much uproar and
confusion.
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