SERINGHAM, an island of Indostan, formed about
six miles north-west of Trinchinopoly by the river Ca-
very, which divides itself into two branches: that to
the northward takes the name of Coleroon, but the
southern branch prefers its old name the Cavery.
Each of these rivers, after a course of about 90 miles,
empty themselves into the sea; the Coleroon at Devi-
cottah, and the Cavery near Tranquebar, at about 20
miles distance from one another. In this island, facing
Trinchinopoly, stood a famous pagoda surrounded by
seven square walls of stone, 25 feet high and four feet
thick. The space between the outward and second
walls measured 310 feet, and so proportionably of the
rest. Each inclosure had four large gates, with a high
tower; which were placed, one in the middle of each
side of the inclosure, and opposite to the four cardinal
points. The outward wall was about four miles in cir-
cumference, and its gateway to the south was ornament-
ed with pillars, some of which were single stones 33 feet
in length and five in diameter; while those that formed
the roof were still larger; and in the innermost inclosure
were the chapels.—About half a mile to the east was
another large pagoda called Jambuistana, which had but
one inclosure.
The pagoda of Seringham was held in great veneration,
from a belief that it contained the identical image
Seris, ham of the god Wiffnou worshipped by Brama; and pilgrims came here from all parts of India with offerings of money to procure absolution. A large part of the revenue of the island was allotted for the maintenance of the Bramins who inhabited the pagoda; and these, with their families, formerly amounted to no fewer than 40,000 persons, all maintained by the superstitious liberality of the adjacent country.