492 = Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [December, 1906: 
The chief tank ceremony of Baigsakb, and perhaps the most: 
widely observed of all, is the Punya Pukur or, as it is some- 
Punya Pukur. 
not invariably used, the ama Pukur. 
The tank is dug near the household tulsi plant (Ocimum Sanc- 
tum) or, sometimes, on the bank of the Ganges. small] 
renewed from time to time during the month, Two cowries 
or, In some districts, a branch of the bel tree are placed: 
cowrles smeared with vermilion are placed upside down on 
paste and adorned with vermilion. In Rajshahi, however, two- 
eee known as Bhada and Bhadi and decorated with flowers 
and vermilion are substituted. In Burdwan clay figures are 
made to represent Siva an Durga and a betel-nut and’ 
& cowry are placed hefore them ; whilst in Bankura no 
: 1. In Jalpaiguri twenty smaller tanks 
—— with flowers and vermilion are dug round the central’ 
usually unmarried, but this is not 87 ud non, The 
first bathe and then worship with flowers, tulsi, durbba grass 
and paddy. A short verse is recited and a r is thrown 
¥ Ww 
until the worship for the day has been performed, Should 
¥ oa, any day, a substitute who has duly 
ace, 
a dish of ri 
of the Punya Pukur Brata are explained by 
ng verses which are a specimen of those used’ 
n some cases girls use their own rhymes- 
dly to the prescribed forms. ; 
