Puja. The personnel of the procession is primarily a royal one, and consists of female representatives of all the different houses connected with the reigning family of the country. It is not the custom for the royal ladies themselves to attend this ceremonial, although no doubt that was the original intention of this function, but their places are taken by subordinate deputies, who, arrayed in all the gorgeousness of the national costume, personate outwardly their mistresses of the blood-royal. The crowd is gathered thickly in the tortuous streets, and awaits with keen expectation the advent of the performers. A sudden movement among the groups in the balconies, which speedily communicates itself to the mingled throng below, and the van of the procession surges into view. In front is borne a palanquin swathed in scarlet, and supposed to contain an image of the goddess. This is followed by the leading royal representative, a lady of the Maharaja's household, who, solemnly and alone, marches with slow and stately step under a mammoth red umbrella. Attached 15
