Another festival of great celebrity is observed in October. At this
time, each person, for himself, makes offerings of boiled rice and other
food, to such of their relations as have died, that they may have a good
meal on that day. They afterwards offer sacrifices of burning lamps, of
fruit, and of flowers, and also new articles of dress, that their
ancestors may be freshly clothed.
At this festival, soldiers offer sacrifices to their weapons, in order
to obtain success in war. On such occasions, a ram is offered in
sacrifice to their armor.
In November, a festival is observed, which is called the feast of lamps.
At this season, the Hindoos light lamps, and place them around the doors
of their houses. This festival was established to commemorate the
deliverance of the earth from a giant, who had been a great scourge to
the people. He was slain by Vrishnoo, after a dreadful battle. In many
places, on this day, a sacrifice is offered to the _dunghill_ which is
afterwards to enrich the ground. In the villages, each one has his own
heap, to which he makes his offering of burning lamps, fruit, flowers,
etc.
The most celebrated of all the festivals, is that which is held in the
end of December.
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