Travels in India (Tavernier) 130.4

130.4

There are two other idols beside him of 2 feet in height or thereabouts ; they are arranged in the same manner, save that they have the faces white, and they are called Becciior. I also saw in this pagoda a machine of 15 to 16 feet square and about 12 to 15 feet high, covered with painted calicoes which represent all kinds of demons. This machine was supported on four small wheels, and I was told that it was the portable altar, whereon their great god is placed on the solemn days when he goes to visit the other gods, and is taken to the river by the people on the occasion of their principal festival. The fourth pagoda is that of Tirupati, in the province of Carnatic, towards the Coromandel coast and Cape Comorin. I went to see it when going from Masulipatam to Gandikot to join the Nawáb Mir Jumla. It is a large pagoda, surrounded by numerous small ones, and by many dwellings for the Brahmins ; this makes it appear like a town. It has around it many tanks, and the superstition is so great that a passer-by dare not take water from them unless a Brahmin give it to him.