Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 642

THE TEMPLE OF JAGANNATH
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grow old or are no Longer pleasing to him, he
through the priests his intention of divorcing
them. A mark is branded on their thighs or breasts with
a red-hot iron, representing the god Venkateswara, and
hey receive a certificate showing that they have faithfully
served a certain number of years as legitimate wives of the
beginning to
signifies
t
and are therefore recommended to the charitable
Then they are dismissed, and provided with their
certificate of good conduct they go about the country under
the name of Kali-yuga-Lakshmis (the Lakshmis of Kali-
Wherever they go their wants are abundantly
yuga).
god,
public.
'
supplied.
This system of procuring wives for their idols is not
a peculiarity of the temple of Tirupati. The priests of
many other temples have found it convenient to have re-
course to it, as for instance those in charge of the temple
of Jagannath, which is even more famous than the temple
of Tirupati.
Religious ceremonies are conducted in this
temple with the greatest magnificence. It is situated near
the sea on the coast of Orissa. The principal divinity
worshipped there is represented under a monstrous shape
without arms or head. What particularly distinguishes
this pagoda is that it is a centre of union among the Hindus.
Although it is specially consecrated to Vishnu, there are
no distinctions between sects and castes. Everybody is
admitted, and may offer worship in his own way to the
presiding deity.
Accordingly pilgrims resort thither from
all parts of India
the disciples of Vishnu and of Siva
frequenting it with equal zeal. The Bairagis and the
Goshais from the North, the Dasarus and the Jangamas
from the South, lay aside their mutual animosities when
they approach this sacred place, and it is perhaps the only
spot in India where they do so 2
While sojourning there
they seem to form but one brotherhood. It is at this
temple especially that one sees the religious fanatics, of
whom I have already spoken above, throwing themselves
before the car of the idol and allowing themselves to be
crushed beneath its wheels.
Several thousand