During the period of my stay here, there was a Persian danseuse, who never appeared for less than 500 rupees (50 pounds.) Crowds of the curious, among whom are numbers of Europeans, flock from one temple to another; the principal guests have sweetmeats and fruit served round to them.
On the last day of the festival the goddess is conveyed with great pomp, and accompanied by music, to the Hoogly, where she is put in a boat, rowed into the middle of the stream, and then thrown overboard in the midst of the shouts and acclamations of the multitude upon the banks.

Formerly, the real jewels were thrown in along with the goddess, but carefully fished up again by the priests during the night; at present, the real jewels are replaced on the last day by false ones, or else the founder of the feast takes an opportunity of secretly obtaining possession of them during the goddess's progress to the river.

He is obliged to do this very cautiously, however, so as not to be observed by the people.

A Natch often costs several thousand rupees, and is one of the most costly items in the expenditure of the rich.
Marriages, too, are said to cost large sums of money.

The Brahmins observe the stars, and by their aid calculate the most fortunate day and even hour for the ceremony to take place.