WHO IS TRAVELLING IN THIS PRETTY PALANQUIN?
IS SHE THE PRINCESS?
THE BRIDE?
AN ARISTOCRATIC LADY OF RANK
FROM THE DAYS OF YORE?
CARRIED BY THE FOUR FAITHFUL PALANQUIN BEARERS
WHERE IS SHE GOING?
MAYBE TO A TEMPLE...HER FAVORITE MANDIR..
OR
MAYBE TO VISIT HER NEAR AND DEAR
OR
MAYBE TO HER HUSBAND'S HOME ?
OR
TO THE RIVERSIDE FOR A CUSTOMARY BATH???
IN THIS METAL EMBOSSING,
I FIND A NEW STORY EVERY TIME I SEE IT...
THIS ROYAL MODE OF TRANSPORT MAY RAISE EYEBROWS
AND EVEN EARN A SCORNFUL FROWN IN TODAYS' WORLD....
BUT....
IT WAS A REALITY EVEN A HUNDRED YEARS AGO
IN MANY PARTS OF OUR COUNTRY
FOR THE PRIVILEGED FEW ....
EVEN TODAY,MANY ROYAL HOUSEHOLDS DO TREASURE
THEIR PALKI/ PALLAKU /DOLI /PALANQUIN
AS A PROUD POSSESSION WHICH IS PART OF THEIR REGAL HISTORY...
