Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1892 — His Weight in Gold. [ARTICLE]

His Weight in Gold.

The ancient annual ceremony of “Talabbaram, ” ot weighing the Maharajah of Travancore against an equivalent weight of gold, has eome round again. It appears to have been conducted this year with great pomp and ceremony, for the present Maharajah is a Hindu of the orthodox type, who aspires to keep up the traditions of his house. Some months before the ceremony the Government purchased through its commercial agent at Alleppey about two thousands’ weight of pure gold, the greatr er part of which was converted into coins for this purpose. After presenting an elephant and offerings to the shrine, the Maharajah entered the building prepared for the occasion, .and having completed the preliminary ceremonies, mounted one of the scales. The sword and shield ■were laid in his lap; in the other side of the scale gold coins, struck for the ©ocaston, were placed by the first and second princes, till it touched the ground and the Maharajah rose in the air, the priest meanwhile chanting Wedle hymns. Volleys were fired, the band played, and the troop presented arms. The Maharajah worshiped ait the shrine, and then went to the palace. Subsequently the Dewan and other officials distributed the coins from the fort gates to fifteen thousand Brahmins.