When the arbour has been sufficiently ornamented in this manner, preparations are made for washing and purifying the bride. For that purpose seven married women, each of whom bears a vessel, go in company with the Brahmans, and attended by musicians, singers, and female dancers, to some river or pond in the neighbourhood, and draw from it water, which, with various ceremonies, and the greatest carefulness, is carried to the house where the wedding is celebrated. Widows are altogether disqualified for this office, and in general for all those which relate to marriage; and on such occasions dare not even shew themselves, because they are considered as beings from whom society derives no benefit whatever. The above seven married women undress the bride; pour a few drops of water upon her head, and rub her body over from top to bottom with the fibres of the _Ingia_ plant. They then anoint her breast, shoulders and knees with the _curcuma_, and bind a piece of white muslin around her loins. This piece of muslin is made fast behind to a girdle, which consists also of a piece of muslin of the like kind. Over this sort of apron they clothe the bride with the so-called _Pidambara_, being a piece of very fine silk of a golden-yellow colour, which hangs down from the head, is drawn under the left armpit, and, forming a kind of mantle on the middle of the body, descends to the feet so as to cover the legs behind. The Indians consider this _Pidambara_ as sacred; because _Vishnu_, according to their mythology, always uses such a robe when he appears to those who worship him. Such of my readers as are acquainted with antiquities will here no doubt call to mind the _Flammeum_ of the ancient Romans, which seems to have had a striking similarity to this _Pidambara_. The ornaments which the bride puts on are very numerous, and consist of the following articles: 1st, The _Tòlvalà_, a bracelet, which is fastened on above the elbow. 2d, The _Cadacam_, a golden bracelet worn below the elbow. 3d, The _Nettipatam_, a small golden frontlet.--Both these may be seen on the ancient Egyptian monuments. 4th, The _Shigamani_, a golden pin round which the hair is twisted up in such a manner that it lies quite flat. 5th, The _Karniga_, a golden rose, which the Indian women, when they wish to appear in state, fasten into the aperture of their ears, because they are very long and wide. 6th, _Cundala_, golden ear-rings, which are often set with jewels. 7th, The _Màla_, a gold chain which is put around the neck, and hangs down to the middle. 8th, _Urmiga_, a gold ring, which the bride wears on her finger. 9th, _Talà_, a silver hoop, or ring, which the Indian women fasten round their naked ancles, because they use neither shoes nor stockings. 10th, _Cadacam_, a second golden bracelet, which, besides the one above mentioned, surrounds the wrist. 11th, _Pushpamàla_, a necklace of artificial flowers.