1833.] * of the Jats of Bharatpur. 289 
compartments into which it is divided. The whole of the pavilion is 
carefully covered over with long cloth; and from the roof of it numer- 
ous lamps of coloured glass or paper (in which the purest ghee is burnt) 
are suspended by long strings; gilded cocoanuts are also to be seen 
dangling after the same fashion, and the appearance of these and of 
the many-coloured lamps is at once fantastic and pleasing. 
The spot of ground on which the sacrifice is to be performed having 
been selected by the Brahmans, the Nains or female attendants of the 
bride proceed to decorate it in the prescribed manner: ‘‘ The figure of 
the sacred lotus (nymphea nelumbo), on which, according to Hindi 
belief, the deity floated amidst the waters of chaos, is drawn upon the 
ground in the centre of the chouk or square. On the figure of the lotus 
small wooden stools are placed for the bride and bridegroom, their 
faces being turned to the east. 
Immediately opposite to the chouk is the bedz, or altar on which 
the Aghana or sacrificial fire islighted. The altar is square, formed of 
earth, and ought to be one hat’h (cubit) in height, but the dimensions 
vary. In the centre of it is placed the holy fire, which may be formed 
of the six following woods; viz. the Pulas (Butea frondosa), Pepul 
(Ficus religiosa), Chonkra (Prosopis spicigera—Shumat in Sanscrit), Akh 
(Asclepias gigantea), Kher (Acacia Catechu), and Onga (Achryanthes: 
aspera*.) i 
- The father of the girl (samdhi as he is called), the bridegroom’s 
nearest male relatives, and the Brahmans who are to perform the cere- 
monies, having seated themselves round the sacrificial fire, the bride- 
groom enters the pavilion, carried or supported in the arms of a nai. 
The samdht honours him with a respectful salutation (dandavat), 
and pronounces a short benedictory prayer, expressive of gratitude for 
the high honour conferred on his daughter. To this prayer no answer 
is given, nor is any return made to the salutation. 
'The samdhi then brings a carpet for the bridegroom to sit on. 
This is placed on the right-hand stool, that on the left-hand being 
reserved for the bride. He also brings water for the bridegroom’s feet, 
and the Brahmans chaunt a mantra in praise of water; but as the 
mantra and this particular ceremony are both described in Mr. Coxs- 
BROOKE'S third Essay, any further notice of them would be presumption 
on my part. The holy element, water, which Pinpar declares to be the 
best of things, is honoured with three adorations. The first, or the 
ablution, is called snan; the second, or the pouring the water on the 
* See PrppineTon’s Indian Plants, The Onga is the Upa Maya of Sanscrit. 
P P 
