Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c25.s1.74

v2.c25.s1.74

The fiction of people falling under the wheels of a temple car must have gained considerable popularity among foreigners. We find Linschoten repeating the story of Conti but with a significant detail at the end of his narrative which plainly indicates the nature of the source of his information. Linschoten (A. D. 1583) tells us the following: "In the Kingdome of Narsinga, on the coast called Choramandel, there standeth a Pagode, that is very great and exceeding rich, and holden in great estimation, having many Pilgrimages & Visitations made into it from all the Countries bordering about it, where every yeere they have many Faires, Feasts, and Processions, and there they have a Waggon or a Cart, which is so great and heavie, that three or foure Elephants can hardly draw it, and this brought fourth at Faires, Feasts and Processions. At this Cart hang likewise many Cables or Ropes, whereat also all the Countrey people, both men and women of pure devotion doe pull and hale. In the upper part of this cart standeth a Tabernacle or Seat, wherein sitteth the Idoll, and under it sit the Kings Wives, which after their manner play on all Instruments, making a most sweet melodie, and in that sort is the Cart drawne forth, with great Devotions and Processions: there are some of them, that of great zeale and pure devotion doe cut peeces of flesh out of their bodies, and threw them downe before the Pagode : others lay themselves under the wheeles of the Cart, and let the Cart runne over them, whereby they are all crushed to peeces, and pressed to death, and they that thus die, are accounted for holy and devout Martyrs, and from that time forwards are kept and preserved for great and holy Reliques, besides a thousand other such like beastly Superstitions, which they use, as one of my Chamber fellowes, that had seen it showed me, and it is also well knowne throughout all India."²