called nagavali, or sacrifice to the Devatas, is performed. The bridal pair, with the Bhatrazu and Bhogam woman, occupy the dais. The Brahman purohit places on a tray a conical mass of turmeric representing Vigneswara, to whom puja (worship) is done. He then places a brass vessel (kalasam) filled with water, and with its mouth closed by a cocoanut, on a settle of rice spread on a tray. The kalasam is worshipped as representing the Devatas. The Brahman invokes the blessing of all the Gods and Devatas, saying "Let Siva bless the pair," "Let Indra bless the pair," etc. A near relative of the bridegroom sits by the side of the purohit with plenty of betel leaves and areca nuts. After each God or Devata has been mentioned, he throws some of the nuts and leaves into a tray, and, as these are the perquisites of the purohit, he may repeat the same name three or four times. The Kapu then makes playful remarks about the greed of the purohit, and, amid much laughter, refuses to put any more leaves or nuts in the tray. This ceremonial concluded, the near relations of the bridegroom stand in front of him, and, with hands crossed, hold over his head two brass plates, into which a small quantity of milk is poured. Fruit, betel leaves and areca nuts (pan-supari) are next distributed in a recognised order of precedence. The first presentation is made to the house god, the second to the family priest, and the third to the Brahman purohit. If a Pakanati Kapu is present, he must receive his share immediately after the Brahman, and before other Kapus, Kammas, and others. Before it is presented to each person, the leaves and nuts are touched by the bridegroom, and the hand of the bride is placed on them by the Bhogam woman. At a Panta Kapu wedding, the Ganga idol, together with a goat and a kavadi (bamboo pole with baskets of rice, cakes, betel leaves and areca nuts), is carried in procession to a pond or temple. The washerman, dressed up as a woman, heads the procession, and keeps on dancing and singing till the destination is reached. The idol is placed inside a rude triangular hut made of three sheaves of straw, and the articles brought in the baskets are spread before it. On the heap of rice small lumps of flour paste are placed, and these are made into lights by scooping out cavities, and feeding the wicks with ghi (clarified butter). One of the ears of the goat is then cut, and it is brought near the food. This done, the lights are extinguished, and the assembly returns home without the least noise. The washerman takes charge of the idol, and goes his way. If the wedding is spread over five days, the Ganga idol is removed on the fourth day, and the customary mock-ploughing ceremony performed on the fifth. The marriage ceremonies close with the removal of the threads from the wrists of the newly married couple. Among the Panta Reddis of the Tamil country, the Ganga idol is taken in procession by the washerman two