OLD HINDU CEREMONY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3220, 19 May 1924, Page 8

OLD HINDU CEREMONY.

Travancore is still an Old World Hindu State which retains its national characteristics and traditions, says a correspondent of the “Englishman.” Recently a ceremony which has no parallel in any other Native State in India was brought to a successful close. Laksha (lakh) deepam or illumination by lakh ' of deepam or light is the name by which the concluding portion is known. The temple of Sri Padmanahha, with its towers and high walls and extensive premises, was one blaze of lights. It was not one but several lakhs of lights which wexe witnessed by about 80,000 Hindu devotees, most of whom had come from the adjoining British districts of Thinevelly, Madura, Trichinopoly, and Tanjore, and also from the neighbouring State of Cochin. The temple procession started at about 8 p.m., and the idol of Sri Padmanabha (better (known as Anatasayanam in the whole of India), the family deity of the royal house of Travancore," was resplendent in its Jewellery, which was taken in the garuha vaiianam of pure gold, flanked on either side by 'the silver garuda vahaiiamas containing the idol of Sri Krishna and Sri Narashina, magnificently decked with jewels and flowers. All the temple paraphernalia was taken out and formed part of the procession. His Highness the Maharaja led the procession, supported by the Hindu officers of the State, headed by the Dcrwaa. After three rounds of the temple the idols were taken inside. This ceremony is celebrated once in six years. It was started 174 years ago under the following circumstances; — Travancore was once a small State, and several smaller principalities and kingdoms were conquered by one of its former Maharajas. His Highness Martanda Yarma, with the help and advice of Rama Iyer Dalura, a Brahmin statesman and warrior. All these were consolidated into the 'Travancore of to-day. Complete peace having been restored, the Maharaja begaa to feel that he had committed a great sin in having killed hundreds of men in the course of the war he had waged, and wanted to find out the best methods, as sanctioned by the Hindu Sastras, to expiate the sin. For this purpose lie convened a council of men learned In the Vedas and Sastras, who, after discussing the problem, suggested the line of action taken by Emperor Karthia Virarjunam iu similar circumstances —the beginnings of the ceremony which has just been concluded.