The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.s1.326.1

v2.c17.s1.326.1

The subject was next taken up by Mr. J. W. Laidlay in 1848. When translating into English M. M. Remusat, Klaproth and Landresse's French version of the *Fbe Koue Ki* he noticed a passage which have a very vivid description of a car festival which the Buddhists celebrated in Khotan. It runs thus : 'On the first day of the fourth moon (i. e., on the 1st of Āṣāḍha ), they sweep and water all the streets of the town and they adorn and set in order the roads and the squares. They spread tapestry and hangings before the gate of the city. All is ornamented and magnificently arranged. The king, the queen and many elegant ladies are stationed at this place. The monks of *Kiu ma ti*, being those devoted to the study of the *great translation*, are most honoured by the king, and take, therefore, the lead in the Procession of Images. At the distance of three or four *li* from the town is constructed a four-wheeled car for the Images, about three *toises* (about 30 feet in height) in the form of a movable pavilion, adorned with the seven precious things, with hangings and curtains and coverlets of silk. The Image is placed in the middle; on either side are two Phousa (Bodhisattva); while around and behind are the images of the gods. All are carved in silver and in gold, with precious stones suspended in the air.