584 WASHING THE IDOL
In most of the temples the oblations and sacrifices are confined to the simple products of nature. The offering of
lamps is also specially in vogue. Sometimes thousands may be seen burning around the idol and in the enclosure of the temple; they are filled with butter, which is a much more acceptable offering to the gods than oil.
Hindu priests offer up sacrifices regularly twice a day, morning and evening. The idol to which the sacrifice is
offered is first thoroughly washed, and the water used for this purpose is brought from the river with much pomp and ceremony. In some of the great pagodas it is brought on the backs of elephants, preceded by dancing-girls and musicians, and escorted by a great number of Brahmins and various attendants. In other temples the Brahmins themselves go with a similar show of ceremony to fetch the water morning and evening, bringing it on their heads in large brass vessels. The water that remains after the idol has been washed is called tirlham( holy water).
As soon as the task of washing the idol is over, the priest performs its toilet, which consists in putting on its clothes and tracing on its forehead one of the signs which the
Hindus are accustomed to wear on their own foreheads.
Puja is then offered to it. During these ceremonies the officiating priest tinkles a little bell, which is held in his left hand, the object no doubt being to call the attention of the worshippers to each stage in the ceremonial which is taking place inside the shrine and out of sight.
After completing his mysterious duties, which must be concealed from profane eyes 1, the priest appears and distributes to the people who are assembled in the hall of the temple fragments of the offerings made to the idol. This prasadam( sacred gift) is received with eagerness. If it is fruit or some other nutritious substance, it is eaten; if it is flowers, the men stick them in their turbans, while the women entwine them in their hair. Last of all, the priest pours into the hollow of each person ' s hand a little tirtham,
which is drunk immediately. After this all the worshippers retire.
The courtesans or dancing-girls attached to each temple
1
In Vishnu temples these mysterious duties are performed behind ' ' a curtain drawn between the worshippers and the idol. Ed.