History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP. IV.] THE TOWER OF SILENCE. 199

called the “uthamna” ceremony, when the relatives of the deceased, if rich, give sums of money in charity according to their means for the benefit of the soul of the deceased. The deceased, if wealthy, has often bequeathed large sums for charitable purposes in his will, and these bequests are announced to the public at the “‘uthamna” ceremony. The Parsi charitable funds in charge of the Parsi Panchayet are largely increased by contributions of this kind, On the fourth day succeeding the death a number of priests, and the lame, halt, and blind living in the Parsi benevolent asylums, are fed as an act of charity intended to benefit the soul of the deceased. For three or ten days after death, as may be either convenient or the custom of the family, the female relatives sit on a carpet spread upon the ground-floor near the spot where the dead body had been, and receive visits from their female friends and connections.

While treating upon this subject a description of a Parsi tower of silence will doubtless be considered of interest. The best idea that we can give to our European readers of its outward appearance is to refer them to the large circular gasometers attached to gasworks, the only difference being that the “dokhmas” are open at the top, while their circular walls are built of the hardest stone, faced with white

“chunam” or lime plaster. The walls are from