Recollections of a journey from Kandy to Caltura, by the way of Adam's Peak, made in the year 1819 / by Simon Sawers and Henry Marshall.

Date:
1823
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Recollections of a journey from Kandy to Caltura, by the way of Adam's Peak, made in the year 1819 / by Simon Sawers and Henry Marshall. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    tion, preparatory to the delivery of their poojali, or offering at the shrine of the Sripade, or impression of the holy foot. The offerings were of various kinds; in general, they con- sisted of a few small copper-coins. These the devotees wrapped in a piece of cloth, which they put into a hand- kerchief that encircled their head; it being requisite that the offering should be borne on the head. After leaving the river, the pathway led up a deep narrow rugged ravine, which, in wet weather, must be the bed of a mountain- torrent, and consequently then impassable. Thick jungle and large trees grew close to the edge of the ravine, by which means the view was greatly intercepted. As we ap- proached the top of the mountain, the altitude of the trees diminished, the shade was less dense, and the prospect more open. When we had reached about two-thirds of the ascent, our followers informed us that they had arrived at the place where needles and threads are usually offered to Buddhoo. The offering is laid upon a small rock, which stands on the right of the road. The Buddhists, among our followers, had been very improvident in regard to an oblation of needles, &c.; only one needle and thread were found among the whole party. As soon, however, as one Buddhist deposited the needle and thread upon the rock, they were seized and replaced in the same manner by an- other. During the course of the journey, when our followers saw the Mallua Sri Fade (the Hill of the Holy Foot, or Holy Impression), they raised their joined hands over the head, and, in a kind of holy fervour, called out Sad-Sad. Their zeal in this respect increased greatly as we approached the end of our journey. The superior portion of the Peak consists of an immense cone of granitic rock, which is in general but very partially covered with vegetation. The track over several places of this cone is abrupt; and
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