invited to the house on an auspicious day, and the two fathers, together with some friends, talk the matter over. In the presence of all, the Vadhyar announces the agreement of the horoscopes of the pair whose marriage is in prospect. The dowry of the bride is then fixed. Probably many days have been occupied already, before the fathers can agree as to the settlement of the dowry. When this has been done, the Vadhyar consults the heavenly bodies, and appoints the day on which the marriage ceremonies should be begun. There is then a feast for all present. A Nambutiri would be in very bad circumstances if he did not give at least a thousand rupees with his daughter. He should give much more, and does, if he possibly can. The ceremonies connected with marriage are supposed to occupy a year, but they are practically completed within ten days. They open with a party leaving the bride's illam, to invite the bridegroom and his party to the wedding. At the house of the bridegroom, the Vadhyar is given about eight fanams [96] (money) by both parties. The return to the bride's illam is a sort of noisy procession composed of the bridegroom with his friends, Nayar women under big cadjan (palm leaf) umbrellas, a number of Nayars, some of whom indulge in sword play with swords and shields, and Nambutiris versed in the Sastras. The bridegroom, who is the chief figure in the crowd, has a string (the usual kankanam) tied round his right wrist to protect him from evil spirits, and carries a bamboo with sixteen joints symbolic of the married state, a mirror for good luck, an arrow to guard the bride against evil spirits, four cloths, and a tali. At the gate of the bride's illam, the procession is met by some Nayar women dressed as Nambutiri women, who, being unable to come out and welcome the bridegroom, do so by proxy. These women wave a light in front of his face, and offer ashtamangalyam--a plate on which are plantain, betel leaves, a cocoanut, and other articles. On this day, the aupasana agni, or sacred fire, is prepared in the courtyard of the bride's illam. A square pit is made, and fire is made with a piece of wood of the jak tree and of the pipal. This fire is rendered sacred by some mystic rites. It is kept burning throughout the marriage, and is preserved until the death of the future husband and wife in one of two ways:-- (1) keeping a lamp lighted at the fire burning perpetually; (2) heating in the fire a piece of wood (plasa or palasa) or dharba grass. The wood or grass is put away, and, when the aupasana agni is to be revived, is lighted in a fire of jak and pipal wood, while certain mantrams (consecrated formulæ) are repeated.