They do not, however, allow them to eat the corn exposed for sale, as was formerly the case.

If one of the sacred animals happen to die, it is either thrown into the river or burnt.

They receive in this respect the same honour as the Hindoos themselves.
In the temple, there were men and women who had brought flowers, with which they decorated the images.

Some of them also laid a piece of money under the flowers.

They then sprinkled them over with Ganges' water, and strewed rice and other corn about.
Near the temple are the most holy places in the town, namely--the so-called "holy well" and the Mankarnika, a large basin of water.
The following anecdote is told of the former:-- When the English had conquered Benares, they planted a cannon before the entrance of the temple to destroy the image of the god Mahadeo.
The Brahmins, greatly indignant at this, instigated the people to revolt, and they hastened in numerous crowds to the temple.