Page:Durga Puja - With Notes and Illustrations.djvu/55

 is set free. The priests then commence the usual worship.

(15):—A ghata is a large earthen water jar; it should not be less than half a cubit in height and not larger than two cubits. It has a ring at the bottom, so that it may be safely placed on earth without being capsized. Its form is peculiar; the central portion buldges out prominently, and the collar is extraordinarily narrow, the brim is broad and open, and indeed turns out like a bell-shaped flower. Such a ghata is filled with Ganga water, and a twig of mango, a twig of Asvattha (religious fig), one of Bata (Indian fig,) one of Asoka (jonesia) and one of jack fruit are put in it, two betel-leaves with stalk are placed upon it, also a shallow earthen dish filled with rice: upon the rice rests a cocoanut husk and stalk all, with the long stiff stalk facing the priests. A piece of new cloth dyed yellow with turmeric is tied round the neck of the ghata, and a figure of a God with two arms and two legs is described on the central portion of the ghata, with a paste made of vermillion and ghee. The ghata thus decorated is placed upon a lump of fine dough of clay, brought from the River, over which are scattered the five grains. In a small earthen pot a mixture of curd and