MYSORE , CANARA, AND MALABAR. 699

'^nation, from the Brahmans; and my not prefuming to approach fo holy a placeevidently gave fatisfadftion. The prefent ftrufture was built, or at leaft put into itsprefent form, by Rama Anuja Acharya ; but, as I have before mentioned, the templeitfelf is .alleged to be of wonderful antiquity, and to have been not only built by a god,but to be dedicated to Krifhna on thp very fpet where that Avatara performed foine ofhis great works. Although the image reprefents Kriflma, it is commonly called Chilla-pulla Raya, or the darling prince ; for chillapulla is a term of endearment, whichmothers give to their infants, fomewhat like our word darling. The reafon of fuch antin common appellation being given to a mighty warrior is laid to be as follows: onRama Anuja’s going to Mail-cotay, to perform his devotions at that celebrated (brine,he was informed tliat the place had been attacked by the Turc king of Dehii, who hadcarried away the idol. The Brahman immediately fet out for that capital ; and on hisarrival he found that the lung had made a prefent of the image to his daughter; for itis hud to be very handfome, and fhe a fired for it as a plaything. Ail day the Princefsplayed with the image ; at night the god aflumed his own beautiful form, and enjoyedher bed ; for Krifhna is addicted to fuch kinds of adventures. This had continued forfome time when Rama Anuja arrived, and called on the image, repeating at the fametime fome powerful mantrams ; on which the idol immediately placed itfelf on theBrahman’s knee. Having clafped it in his arms, he called it his yhiliapulla, and theywere both inftantaneoufly conveyed to Mail-cotay. The princefs, quite difconfolatefor the lofs of her image, mounted a horfe, and followed as faff as fhe was able. Sheno fooner came near the idol than fhe difappeared, and is fuppofed to have been takeninto its immediate fubftance; which, in this country, is a common way of the godsdifpofing of their favourites. A monument was built for the princefs; but as fhe wasa Turc, it would have been improper to place this building within' the walls of theholy place ; it has therefore been eredted at the foot of the hill, under the moll abruptpart of the rock.

The tank is a very fine one, and is furrounded by many buildings for the accommo-dation of religious perfons, and for the intended recreation of the idols when they arecarried in procefiion. Were thefe kept in good order, they would -have a grandappearance ; but the buildings are filthy and ruinous. The natives believe, that everyyear, at the time of the grand feftival, the water of the Ganges is conveyed byiubterraneous paffages, and fills this tank; yet they candidly acknowledge, that notthe fmaileft external mark of any change takes place. On this occafion it is cuflomaryto throw in bits of money. My attendant meffenger, who is a Brahman, fays, that hewas prefent when all the water was taken out by orders from the Sultan, who expectedby this means to find a great treafure. All that was found, however, was a pot full ofcopper money.

The jewels belonging to the great temple are very valuable ; and even the Sultan wasafraid to feize them. They are never expofed to the rifk of being carried away by anydefperate ruffian, but are always kept in the treafury at Seringapatam ; and duringthe time of the feftival are fent to Mail-cotay, under a ftrong military guard. Thisproperty was refpefted by the Britifh captors, and the jewels are fent to the place asformerly,

1 expe&ed here to be able to get fome account of the Myfore family, who long hadbeen generous benefaftors to the Brahmans of Mail-cotay; but in this I was entirelydifappointed. - I was told that they gave themfelves no concern about worldly affairs;and that to them the hiftory of the low cafts was of no confequence. They feem notat all interefted about their young Raja ; and the family has been fo long in obfeurity,that it is no longer looked up to with awe ; which among the natives in general is the

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