ORISSA. 45 religion of luxury and systematic indulgence. The followers of the first Vishnuite reformers dwelt together in secluded monasteries, or went about scantily clothed, living upon alms. But this sect performs its devotions arrayed in costly apparel, anointed with oil, and perfumed with camphor or sandal-wood oil. It seeks its converts not among weavers, or leather-dressers, or barbers, but among wealthy bankers and merchants, who look upon life as a thing to be cnjoyed, and upon pilgrimage as a means of extending their trading enterprises. In Orissa, among the common people, Jagannath reigns supreme. Different Fiscal Divisions claim, as a precious hereditary right, the privilege of rendering service to the god. The jungly highlands on the west of the Chilká supply the timber for the Car Festival. The lowlands on the north of the lake annually send thousands of peasants to drag the sacred vehicle. The inhabitants delight to explain the etymology of their towns and villages by referring the names to some incident in the history of the god. The royal line has for centuries performed menial offices before the image; and as the sweeper caste is the lowest in the Hindu community, so the kings of Orissa have reached the climax of religious humility in their most cherished title of Hereditary Sweeper to Jagannath. The English Government has scrupulously respected the patrimony of Jagannath. On taking over the country, it was practically decided that all disbursements hitherto made for charitable uses should be continued, on the scale which the orthodox Maráthá Government had established. Among these costly bequests, the superintendence of the temple of Jagannath was the chief. During the years that preceded their expulsion, the Marathas had paid from £3000 to £5000 a year from their treasury, to make good the deficit between the receipts and the charges of the establishment. Lord Wellesley expressly enjoined the British troops, when they marched to occupy the Province in 1803, to respect the temple and the religious prejudices of the Brahmans and pilgrims. At the same time, British officers were to make no arrangements that would hamper Government in any subsequent reform of teniple abuses. The General communicated these orders to the priests of Jagannath when he entered the Province; and a deputation of Brahmans accordingly came into the camp, and placed the temple under his protection without a blow being struck. It is difficult to form anything like an accurate estimate of the present income of Jagannath. Accepting the computation of the rent oll of the monasteries connected with the temple at £27,000, and adding £4000 as the present value of the lands granted by the State. we have a total of £31,000. This sum, however, represents but a fraction of his actual income. The offerings of the pilgrimis form the
