Travels in India (Tavernier) 39.4.4

39.4.4

This same day, the 27th of August, we travelled 6 leagues farther, and slept at a large town called Ragiapeta. On the 28th, after having made 8 leagues, we came to Oudecour. On the 29th, after a march of nine hours, we arrived at Outemeda, where there is one of the grandest pagodas in the whole of India. It is all built of large cut stones, and it has three towers where there are many deformed figures cut in relief. It is surrounded by many small chambers for the dwelling of the priests of the pagoda, and 500 paces off there is a great tank, upon the borders of which there are many small pagodas of 8 or 10 feet square, and in each an idol in the form of a demon, with a Brahmin, who takes care that any stranger who is not of their faith does not come to wash or take water from the tank. If a stranger wishes for water they carry him some in earthen pots, and if by chance their pot touches the vessel of the stranger they break the pot. I am told, also, as I have elsewhere remarked, that if any one not being of their faith washes in the tank it becomes necessary for them to let out all the water which is then in it. As for charity, they are very liberal, for no one passes who is in want and who asks, to whom they do not give to eat and drink of whatever they may happen to have. You meet many women on these roads, some of whom always keep fire to light the tobacco of passers, and even to those who have not tobacco they give a pipe.