ABSTRACT
The following account of an annual religious gathering in Bengal discloses the true character of these disreputable mendicants. Amid the ruins of ancient Gau_r are large reservoirs of water, called Rúpa and Sanátan, after the two distinguished Muhammadans converted by Chaitanya, on the banks of which the ‘Rás Mela’, or ‘Prema tala’, i.e., real love, festival is held in the month of June. Crowds of Bairágís and Bairágans resort to this fair from all parts of Bengal, the latter being seated in long rows with their faces covered. Should a Bairágí be in search of a companion, he pays the customary fee to the Faujdár, and a selection is made. He leads the female aside, raises her veil, and if satisfied takes her away, otherwise he takes her back to her place. In the latter case the Faujdár refuses to allow another choice, unless the twenty anas fee is again paid. It is a law with these licentious Bairágís that a man cannot put away the woman selected, even for adultery, until the next year’s gathering comes round.
