About this time the god _Vishnu_ is accustomed, as the Pagans pretend, to pay a visit to the earth, and to wander about under a thousand forms, in order to observe in what state terrestrial affairs are: whether, for example, there has been a good harvest; whether princes rule their dominions properly; and other things of the like kind. They prepare, therefore, in honour of _Vishnu_, a large wheel, which is the symbol of this god, made of flowers, and place it in the fore-court of their houses. During my residence at _Ràmapurata_ I had several times an opportunity of seeing such wheels, which are called _Ciacra_, in the habitations of the Brahmans. They thereby shew, in a very ingenious manner, that, the rainy season being over, the sun is again on the point of approaching, and about to resume his dominion as it were anew. Besides these grand festivals, there are several others; such as the _Shivaratri_, or the night of _Shiva_; in which the _Phallophoria_ ceremonies, that relate to the worship of the _Lingam_, are celebrated. This festival, on the coast of Malabar, is held always in March, when the sun enters the last sign of the zodiac, or Pisces. On this occasion all the inhabitants of both sexes hasten in great numbers to the temple of _Shiva_, or _Mahadèva_; remain there the whole night; sing all sorts of indecent songs in honour of the _Lingam_; go a hundred times in solemn procession either around the temple or around a tree, under which the _Lingam_ is placed; and carry about with them, at the same time, a wooden representation of the _Lingam_; amidst dancing and singing. These circular perambulations have an allusion to the circle which the sun describes in his course through the zodiac, and the _Lingam_ represents the creative power of that luminary. In the month of December is celebrated the festival of the five brothers, _Pando_, whom the god _Krishna_ delivered from the oppression of their uncle _Kaurava_, or _Kuru_, as he is called by Mr. Wilkins. _Màsu Ubavàsa_ is a festival observed by the devout every month, and in which they use nothing but a little fruit, herbs, and roots. By means of this festival they hope to obtain forgiveness of their sins, and to pave the way for a tranquil and happy passage into the other world. The festival of _Sarasvadi_, who, as the goddess of music and the sciences, is highly honoured by the Indians, I shall pass over in silence, to avoid being too prolix; as well as several other small festivals, which have been introduced only among a few casts or classes[202].