SAIVA-SIDDHANTA

SRI PARVATAM. 345
ancient Sculptures in Madura and elsewhere. By no means, are
these savages or aborigines, but they must certainly have belonged
to a very ancient and civilized race, but from the circumstance of
having been confined to a residence in these hills, had gradually
degenerated more or less. The females are better dressed and they
could not be very much distinguished from the people of the plains.
As residents of Kuriuji, the marriage which usually obtains amongst
them is what may be called the Gandharva form. As a Chenchu put
it, boys and girls roam about and get acquainted with each other, and
chpose for themselves, and after a time, the marriage is published by
the inviting and feeding of a few guests ; just in the same way as we
read of in Kurwjippdttu. Of course the environments favour them so
much, and the people are so few, and the liberty of movement is so
great, that you cannot but expect such kind of marriages in such a
community. Of course our poets and lawyers put
it as though
such and such a kind of marriage is required for such a kind of
land (Tinai, $&%&), and our friend Mr, T. Virabadra Mudaliyar
wonders why our poets should of necessity people with
LD^<SW
prostitutes and dancing girls. Of course there is no necessity, but
as in their view
U>@JSL(> (Marudam) the land covered with paddy
fields represented the seat of wealth and luxury, and civilized
activity and prostitution clearly follow in their wake, the poets
always lay down as a law that whenever civilized towns are
spoken of, prostitution should also be maintained. In a sense this
,n-le appears rigid, but ample scope is given when they usually
Sl^^m LOUJ<#LD.
Speak of
An account of the trip cannot be complete without a special
description of the famous spring and Temple at Mahatiandi ;
and
usually all pilgrims to Sri Sailam pass through Mahanandi on their
return. It is about 9 miles from Nandyal and the Temple is
situated at the foot of the same range. Our artist has also photcgrapjied
the beautiful Temple
with the whole Tank. The chief
interest lies in the Tank which is a perennial spring, and there are
two big outlets which
carry off with great force the ever-bubbling
water. The water is slightly tepid, and it is of remarkable purity
and clearness. Light is refracted as in a perfect crystal, and you
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