ort. They are two or
three. That they may therefore honour these Gods, and procure their aid
and assistance, they do yearly in the Month of [The great Festival in
June.] June or July, at a New Moon, observe a solemn Feast and general
Meeting, called Perahar; but none are compelled, and some go to one
Pagoda, and some to another. The greatest Solemnity is performed in
the City of Cande; but at the same time the like Festival or Perahar
is observed in divers other Cities and Towns of the Land. The Perahar
at Cande is ordered after this manner.

The Priest bringeth forth a painted stick, about which strings of
Flowers are hanged, and so it is wrapped in branched Silk, some
part covered, and some not; before which the People bow down and
worship; each one presenting him with an Offering according to his
free will. These free-will Offerings being received from the People,
the Priest takes his painted stick on his Shoulder, having a Cloth
tied about his mouth to keep his breath from defiling this pure piece
of Wood, and gets up upon an Elephant all covered with white Cloth,
upon which he rides with all the Triumph that King and Kingdom can
afford, thro all the Streets of the City. But before him go, first
some Forty or Fifty Elephants, with brass Bells hanging on each side
of them, which tingle as they go.

Next, follow men dressed up like Gyants, which go dancing along
agreeable to a Tradition they have, that anciently there were
huge men, that could carry vast Burthens, and pull up Trees by
the Roots. &c. After them go a great multitude of Drummers, and
Trumpetters, and Pipers, which make such a great and loud noise, that
nothing else besides them can be heard. Then followeth a Company of
Men dancing along, and after these Women of such Casts or Trades as are
necessary for the service of the Pagoda, as Potters and Washer-women,
each cast goeth in Companies by themselves, three and three in a row,
holding one another by the hand; and between each Company go Drummers,
Pipers and Dancers.

After these comes an Elephant with two Priests on his back: one
whereof is the Priest before spoken of, carrying the painted stick
on his Shoulder, who represents Allout neur Dio, that is, the God and
Maker of Heaven and Earth. The other sits behind him, holding a round
thing, like an Umbrello, over his head, to keep off Sun or Rain. Then
within a yard after him on each hand of him follow two other Elephants
mounted with two other Priest