1834.] 



History of the Eamoossies. 



288 



copper pot, after which the gondull ceremonies* commence. Many 

 of the inhabitants attend during the performance of the gondull ; a 

 particular distribution is subsequently made of the canes and 

 cakes of breadjf &c. 



It must be stated, that the father of the girl erects a mandwah, 

 or shed, in front of his house, and performs ceremonies similar to 

 all those above related ; and on the day fixed for the marriage, or 

 the preceding one, the girl's father raises a platform of earth in the 

 mandwah, which is termed the boulay. It should be seven cubits 

 in length, according to the measurement of the girl's arm. There 

 is a step on the eastern face of this altar, for the convenience of as- 

 cending and descending. The boulay is placed as nearly opposite 

 to the entrance of the mandwah as possible, and previously to the 

 arrival of the bridegroom, the village potter brings the huradera ; 

 this consists of ten earthern pots of sizes, with covers for two of 

 them : these pots had been beforehand white washed with lime, and 

 sprinkled with some red, green, and yellow colours. The potter 

 places five of these vessels, one above the other, (putting the covers 

 on the mouth of the uppermost,) close to the angles of the altar, 

 on the opposite side to that on which the step is. A large earthern 

 vessel called a runjun, for holding water, is placed near the entrance 

 for the use of the relations and persons of the caste, and a piece of 

 yellow cloth, in which a soopary and a piece of turmeric is tied, is 

 fastened round the neck of the runjun for good luck. 



The bridegroom, dressed in his best attire, w^hich is generally red, 

 prepares to proceed with his party to the house in which the bride 

 resides. He has a coronet or chaplet made of paper of a yellow or 

 red colour, ornamented with tinsel, &c. on his head, instead of a 

 turban. This ornament is termed bashinggy l He provides one of 

 the same description to be presented to the bride. It matters not 

 whether the bride's house be in the same village or not. The bride- 

 groom's party quit their home, so as to reach the temple of Hu- 

 nooman, in the village where the bride lives, about an hour before 

 sun set, on the day fixed for the marriage. The bridegroom ahvays 

 travels on horseback. Having moved in procession, and paid his 

 devoirs at the shrine of Hunooman of his village, armed with his 

 dagger, he mounts his horse, and, surrounded by his friends, takes 



* The Shoodurs have this ceremony six or eight da>s before this, 

 t The gondully receives a rupee, and food for his trouble. 



t The Brahmuns do not make use of a bashinggy, all the other castes do. 

 The former wear a mundoly or chaplet of flowers only, while the other castes 

 frequently use both. 



