Читать книгу Views in India, chiefly among the Himalaya Mountains онлайн
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These lovely crags are the haunt of numerous birds; pigeons nestle in the trees, and, at the slightest alarm, myriads of small water-fowl rush out in snowy flocks, adding, by their hurried flight, to the animation of the scene; while the numerous flotillas of native craft, of strange but highly picturesque construction, serve also to heighten the beauty of a landscape, which, in despite of their superior utility, we must regret should ever be disturbed by the smoke and paddles of steam-vessels.
Colgong forms the occasional habitation of a fakeer, but does not appear to be the settled residence of any recluse of great celebrity. There are no regular temples, although a rude shrine has been shaped out of one of the largest blocks of granite which crown the summit of the rock to the westward of the group. There are also caverns in these islands, and it is seldom that either a living or dead specimen of the religious mendicants, who are established in such places over the whole of India, is not to be found here. A nameless tomb occurs upon the summit, probably that of a Mohammedan saint, for the Hindoos do not usually bury their dead. This personage, whoever he may be, having received his apotheosis, would be equally venerated by the professors of both religions. The Mohammedans of India, and especially of Bengal, forgetful that their creed assures them that there is but one God, have no objection to worship at the shrine of some holy person deified in the imaginations of his votaries; while the Hindoos are of so idolatrous a nature, that they will not pass any altar without dropping a flower upon it by way of offering. The reverence for the dead, which is a distinguishing trait of the natives of India, is strongly manifested in the lonely tombs which occupy great numbers of the heights in the vicinity of Rajmhal. Wherever the traveller comes upon one of those mausoleums, however neglected and apparently deserted the place may be, he is certain to find the traces of pious care from human hands. The precincts of the tomb may, perhaps, be the haunt of a solitary jackal, or other beast of prey, too little accustomed to man's intrusion to be alarmed at his approach; and yet even when it would seem that the prowling savage was sole tenant of the wild, the newly-swept pavement, strewed with fresh flowers, shews that some human being has recently performed a daily task. Frequently it is impossible to guess who has been at the pains to keep the shrine free from the pollutions of bats and birds; but occasionally, scarcely more human in his outward form than the savage denizens of these deep solitudes, the attendant fakeer will appear upon the scene, his long, matted locks, and the distinguishing marks of his caste and calling, chalk and dirt, forming his sole attire. Money would appear to be perfectly superfluous to personages so independent in the way of clothing, lodging, and, in all probability, food; but though in some cases it is not solicited, it is generally acceptable, and the offered rupee disappears in a marvellous manner, since, there being no garments, there can be no pockets.