[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [Mongolicae legationis commentarius](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate) › [The Commentary of Father Monserrate (Hoyland)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland) › 2.2.7 # The Commentary of Father Monserrate 2.2.7 The Commentary of Father Monserrate (Hoyland) 2.2.7 - **Language:** English ### [2.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.2.2.7) On the next day they came to a fort built out of the debris of some Hindu temples which the Musalmans had destroyed. Such destruction would have been a praiseworthy action if many of their other actions had not been so abominable. The camp was pitched on the bank of the Taphi. On the same day the Hindus expatiate their sins of the past years in the following manner. A cocoanut shell is scraped out and filled with oil. A wick inserted and lighted. The Hindu then strips off his clothes and enters the river with the lighted lamp on his head. He slowly submerges himself till the lamp, caught by the current, is carried away. They regard themselves as purified from sin by this process. This festival is called by the Hindus the Satamia because it is held on the seventh day of the moon in the eleventh month, which in their reckoning is January. Leaving the bank of the river the company reached Sultanpurum (i.e. King's town) on the ninth day form Surat. This was the day on which the Musalmans perform their sacrifices. A three days' halt was made at Sultanpurum, as the ambassador desired to wait there on account of this festival. Thence they crossed the Avazus range and reached Cenduanum four days later. The Avazus extends for 75 miles eastward from the sea, and is 16 miles wide. It is crossed by a narrow and difficult track. The camels have to be led in single file; and the carts are carried on men's shoulders. - [Previous: 2.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.2.2.6) - [Next: 2.2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.2.2.8) - [Up: 2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.2.2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.2.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.2.2.7) · Pramāṇa