According to the principles of the Indians, the moon continues in each of these constellations during the period of sixty Malabar _Naligas_, or twenty-four hours. In their calculations the Indians do not take into account the days of new and full moon, but reckon only those of her increase and decrease. Full moon is called in the Samscred language _Pùrmimà_, or _Velutavà_, the white moon. New moon is called _Amàva_ or _Carttavàva_, that is, the new, the black moon; because at that time she is not quite visible. As soon as full or new moon is past, they begin to reckon in the following manner: _Prathema_, the first day after new or full moon; _Duidia_, the second; _Tridia_, the third; _Ciadrtti_, the fourth; _Penciami_, the fifth; _Shasdi_, the sixth; _Saptami_, the seventh; _Ashdami_, the eighth; _Navamì_, the ninth; _Dashamì_, the tenth; _Egadashi_, the eleventh; _Dvàdashi_, the twelfth; _Trayodashi_, the thirteenth; _Ciadurdashi_, the fourteenth. Her increase is called _Purvapaksha_, and her decrease _Abaraksha_, that is, the fore-part and hind-part of the moon. According to the above method of reckoning, a lunar month seems to consist of fourteen days: two such lunar months and two days make a solar[199]. The festivals of the Indians, according to the lunar calendar, are established in the following order: I. In _Purnima_, the month of March, the festival of the goddess _Bhagavadi_ is celebrated, which, next to that of the sun, when a ram is sacrificed, is the most celebrated of all. The principal part of the solemnity is, that the Brahmans, in honour of the moon, present a large offering, which, they call _Sòmayàga_ (the moon-offering). On this occasion they bruise certain aromatic herbs, and prepare from their juice a particular kind of beverage, which they partake of, repeating at the same time a great number of private forms of prayer, called _Mandra_. These _Mandras_ always end with the words Om or _Sváha_, which signify, Be it so, or Amen! Happiness, health, and prosperity, be thine! For example: _Pranane Svàha_; _Abàne Svàha_; _Samane Svàha_; _Vyana Svàha_:--that is: _Prosit_, May it do thee good, Spirit of Life (_Pràna_)! _Prosit_, &c. Spirit of those below (_Abàna_)! _Prosit_, &c. Spirit of Breathing! _Prosit_, &c. Spirit of Sight! _Prosit_, &c. Spirit of Hearing!--These, in all probability, are the five spirits which the Egyptians worshipped, as we are informed by Origen in his fifth book against Celsus; and to which they added, besides others, _Crepitus Ventris_. This festival is always celebrated in the month of March, on the first Monday after the equinox. I had an opportunity of seeing it at _Muttam_, _Tiruvandaram_, and _Craganor_. The concourse of people on these occasions is immense. Through religious zeal, the Indians bring with them a great many cocks, and give them to the Brahmans, who slaughter these animals before the door of the temple of _Bhagavadì_, and besprinkle the earth with their blood.