104 PROCESSION OP VISHNU.
dancing girls. In the accompanying sketch (Plate V.)
I have endeavoured to convey some idea of this extraordinary
group, and I only regret that the space at my
disposal does not admit of giving a more complete view
of the temple-buildings.
The other temple, to which I was accompanied by a
score of little Indians through an avenue of cocoanut
palms, which somewhat shaded me from the broiling
sun, is dedicated to Vishnu, and varied but little in its
construction from the one just described, excepting
that it was even larger. I t so happened that Vishnu
was more complacent and held a feast on the very day
of my visit, the street leading to the entrance was
gaily dressed in flags and festoons of flowers, and the
ponderous chariot, on which the god was to take an
airing, stood ready in front of the Vimana, the crowd
shouting Ram ! Ram ! but I had not time to wait his
pleasure, and was content to witness the arrival of the
chief priest, an old man, his forehead besmeared with
ashes, dressed in purple silk and gold, a gilt tiara on
his shaky head, and borne aloft in a golden palki, in
shape resembling a shell. He was marshalled by two'
elephants gorgeously caparisoned, three small cows
with gilded horns mounted by men beating the tomtom,
by his own horse led and surrounded by a crowd
of shouting natives, some carrying what looked like
PONDICHERRY. 105
large cymbals suspended from bamboo poles, others
tall, bright-coloured umbrellas and banners. Presently
another palankeen, this time of silver, made its appearance,
bearing a bilious-looking youth, got up like his
superior and similarly attended. I t was a curious
sight, and altogether I felt well satisfied with my
day’s work.
By the time I reached Madras the hedges were
brilliantly alive with fire flies, and as I turned into my
host’s gates I heard the gong sound within, which
called up visions of a pleasant repast, not at all to be
despised after the fatigues of the day.
A few days later a friend of mine being about to
start on a short trip to Pondicherry, persuaded me to
join him, and I was glad of the opportunity, as the sea
voyage would be pleasant during the hot weather we
were then enduring, and so we found it. We
approached the shore of the little French colony just
in time to witness a grand sunset, throwing a peculiar
crimson glow over the whole sky and reflecting the same
tint, instead of the orthodox golden light, all along the
coastline, studded with houses and palm trees. There
is nothing remarkable about the town ; it is exceedingly
clean, possesses a large church and a fine Governor’s
residence and garden. I believe there are only two or
three carriages in the colony, and very few horses;