There can be little doubt that the Perahara received the counto-
nance of the native princes, rather from a political than a religious
motive, though these circumstances would vary with the disposition
of the reigning king. It was one of the few occasions upon which
the monarch presented himself to the public gaze. The most
imposing edifice connected with the place was the Pattrippo, an
octagon of two stories, the upper story having a balcony that over-
looked the principal square of the royal city, on one side of which
was a lake, and on the other various religious and consecrated
places. The procession was collected in the square, that the king
might see it from the balcony; and when the curtain which
shrouded his majesty at his entrance was withdrawn, and the
assembly did lowly reverence, amidst the clamor of the drums and
pipes, tho sight of the prostrate thousands, the elephants rlohly
caparisoned, tho royal guard in proud oiray, the countless banners
floating in the breeze, and tlie adigars and other chiefs at tho head



352 ADAM'S PEAK.
of their respective clans, all arranged in due order and degree,
must have produced an effect that is not often equalled even in the
festive scenes of far mightier kingdoms. On some occasions the
king joined in the procession, but in this there was no uniformity
of observance, his majesty being at one time on foot, and at another
we are told, in a golden chariot drawn by eight horses.
