CHAPTER VII.

A NIGHT-FESTIVAL IN A HINDU TEMPLE.

The festival of Taypusam--The temple, the crowd, and blowing up of trumpets in the full moon--Image of Siva, the raft and the sacred lake--Hymns and offerings to the god-- Fearful and wonderful music--Temper of the crowd, and influences of the ceremonial--Interior of Temple--The _lingam_ and the worship of sex--The bull Nandi--Great procession of the gods round Temple--Remindful of Bacchic processions--The Nautch girls, their dress, and dances-- Culmination of the show--Revelation of Siva 116–134

_A VISIT TO A GÑÁNI._