New-York tribune., 1900-01-25
WAY OFF IN CALCUTTA.
THE MARRIAGE OF PRINCESS A BRILL
liant SOCIAL EVENT.
OVER THOUSAND GIFTS FOR THE LITTLE
HINDoo woMAN-ExQUIsrrE TRossnAU
AND WEALTH OF JEWELS.

One Of the most brilliant social events Of the
present season in Calcutta was the marriage Of
the Princess Sukrit Sundari, eldest daughter OF
His Hghness the Msharajah OF Cooch Behar. to
Jyosta Nath GnosaL grandson OF the great Jagore,
The wedding took place in the Maharajah's man
sion. Woodlands, Calcutta. The grounds were
gayly decorated with Chinese lanterns bunting
and countless tiny lamps suspended from swinging
festoons OF evergreen. Numerous shamanas, OF
tents. of sumptuous arrangement were
placed on the lawns. the central and largest being
that in which the wedding ceremony occurred.
Next in Importance the refreshment
shamiana, which enshrined huge cake nearly
four feet high, silver pedestal
The bride belongs to the Brahma Sumaj sect, and
her father performed the simple ceremony. He
offered the bridegroom, successfully, plate of
white hyacincth blossoms vial Of sandal perfume,
a vial of altar of roses and a bouquet The bride
groom signhed his willingness to proceed with the
ceremony by accepting all.
His Highness then presented to him wedding
garment Of delicate blue silk, with coat OF silver
gauze, and led him so attired, TO the brides
mother, the Maharalee who with her court ladies'.
did him honor"
The bride was then led into the shamiana- and
she and her future lord seated opposite each
other on a dais in the centre, which was covered
with a rich carpet OF red velvet embroidered In
a raised design OF gold flowers.
The bride wore a blouse and underskirt Of blue
silk with a voluminous 'saree" OF magenta silk
draped over the underdress and waist and con-
ceaIing the lower part OF her face.
Her Jewels were magnificent. more OF
rows Of superb pearls wound around her
neck and a band OF diamonds encircIed her fore
head From this fell a shower Of emeralds. pearls
and diamonds. On her wrist she wore the marriage
emblem a steel bangle, which corresponds 10 the
Occidental wedding ring.
The ceremony was ended by all the household and
guests paying their respects
The brides father wore the Bengal native dress
Of white brocaded silk with diamonds and pearls
for buttons Her brother, the Maharaj Kumar
Rsiendra Narain heir to the throne. similarly
attired In white silk embroidered with silver. All
the women more magenta "sarees'' and white silk
bIouses.
There were more than thousand wedding pres
ents which were in a special shamiana- His High
ness the Mahara5ah gave gold fitted dressing
case a tiara necklace brooch, ring, bracelet and
crescent ornament. all Of diamonds. Her Highness
the Maharanee gave set of pearls, diamond
bracelet and brooch diamond marquse bracelet
and ring diamond brooch and other jewels
The ordinary Brahnlin ceremony begins with plac-
ing an earthen vessel filed with water on heap
Of rice InvocatiOus to VarUna. the god OF waters
poured over the head of the bridegroom. Following
this the bride and bridegroom throw three hand-
fIiIs of rice other after which they seat
. themselves in a swing and three female relatives
- - 80 fee+ Of the coupe three times in milk
They are then swung slowly to the chanting OF a
HYMN in praise Of krishna. the guardian OF snep-
herdesses. An Offering TO the gods and the spirits
n departed relatives, all OF whom are lnNlttu anu
supposed 10 be present IS made by throwing pans
Of sa ron mixed with rice the four points OF the
compass. The brides father then presents 20 tne
rites are ended by all present eating grains OF
parChed rice.