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OF THE HINDUS.
173
There can be no doubt that the remark of Muthia, that the observance of the Uttarayana is a practice of high antiquity, is perfectly true; and there can be equally little doubt that it was of like universality amongst, at least, the Indo-Teutonic races. The analogies are so obvious, that they must instantly occur to every one's mind; and the offerings and distribution of food and sweetmeats and presents, the sports and the rejoicing, and the interchange of mutual good wishes, which characterize the Uttarayana amongst the Hindus, are even yet, though to a less extent than heretofore, retained by Christian nations at the same season; beginning with the plum-puddings and mince-pies of Christmas, passing through the new year's gifts and happy new years, the strena of the Romans, quæ omnia simul strenas appellarunt; and terminating with Twelfth-night. Whatever modifications these types of rejoicing may have undergone, and however changed in their present purport, by their connexion with our religious faith, they are evidently of the same general character as the observances of the Hindus; and designate the commencement of a period, in which the northern hemisphere
and the third the Pongal des vaches.-II, 335. In Rottler's Tamil Dict. [III, 432] we have the three days: the first Pogipańdikei, dedicated, it is said, to Indra; the second Perum pongal, sacred to the sun; and the third the Máttu pongal, sacred to Krishna. [See Wilson's Glossary of Indian Terms, p. 421. The name Bhogi is given, in Telugu and Marathi, to the eves of some particular feasts, vide Brown's Telugu Dict., and Molesworth's Marathi Dict. s. v.]
