Photo 430/41(67)

Genre: Historical Events

Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar and his bride Maharani Pratap Bai are seated beneath the canopy in the durbar hall, with dignitaries seated on the floor along the sides of the hall. The various articles and foodstuffs used in the ceremony are arranged on the ground in front of the couple. The letterpress slip pasted beneath the image describes the occasion as follows:

'The Navagali or Fifth Day Ceremony of the Marriage. (1) Five concentric circles in rice dyed in five colours are traced on the floor in front of the marriage seat, and five earthen vessels, painted red and white, are placed within. The largest in the centre and four smaller ones at the four cardinal points. Strands of cotton yarn are passed round the vessels and lighted wicks in earthen dishes placed around the circle. A dagger with its point sheathed in a lime is placed by the side of the central vessel. (2) A set of condiment grinding stones with cummin seed and jaggery is placed within the circle and worship offered to Siva's consort. (3) Elephants modelled in rice and salt are placed without the circles, North and South, and the married couple seated in the front of these figures perform puja to Siva's consort; to Ganapathy, her son; the three hundred and thirty million Devas (gods); the Dagger, and the Elephants. Sixteen Brahmin ladies then enter with various kinds of cooked rice, fruits, etc., and walk round the figures in company with the married couple. After purifying the four cardinal corners of the hall, the articles are placed on plantain leaves with lights around them. The dagger with lime being held by the brother of the bride. (4) The married couple stand alternately on the modelled elephants and ask each other to exchange mounts. (5) The married couple offer betel leaves and nuts to the Brahmins, and then help themselves. (6) The bride and bridegroom are sprinkled with colored water by the officiating priest and then by next of kin. (7) The ceremonial strands of thread bound the wrist of the right hand of the bridegroom on the first day of the marriage are removed by the priest and the rites brought to a close.'

Duplicate at Photo 430/73 (37); a similar group taken on the same occasion, is at Mss Eur G38/1 (4v).

Subjects = Curzon Collection; Indian rulers; Nagavali Ceremony; palaces; rites and customs; weddings (Hindu)