MANPAN. Mann. Honorary and prescriptive rights claimed by the hereditary patel and other village office-bearers at weddings, and the right of precedence at processions; the rights and privileges enjoyed by the patels of 3fahratta villages at the three Hindu festivals of the Pola, the Dasara, and the Holi. The Pola is held on the day of the new moon of the mouth Srawan or Bhadrapad. The bullocks of the whole village move in procession under the `toran' or sacred arch dedicated to Maroti, which is made of twisted mol ' grass, and covered with mango leaves. The gurhi, or sacred pole of the pate], is borne aloft to the front ; the patel gives the order to advance, and all the bullocks, his own leading the way, file under the toran, according to the respective rank of their owners. The villagers vie with each other in having the best painted and decorated bullocks, and large sums are often expended in this way.
At the Dasara, a male buffalo (bela) is provided at the expense for a solemn sacrifice to the The buffalo is taken up to the flagstaff (jhenda) in front of the village town hall (chouri), where it is slaughtered by the patel's own hand, and then carried away by the Mhars to be eaten.
At the IIoli, the patel and astrologer (joshi) meet and invoke the demons (rakshas) in whose honour it is held. The patel then lights the sacred fire. He provides the red powder (gulal) and other accessaries of the festival.
3fANSA, a Native State of Maliikanta, in the province of Gujerat, Bombay. It is situated in the Sabarkanta subdivision, and surrounded by the Gaekwar's territory. The chief is descended from the Chaura dynasty, one of whom founded Anhilwara Patan in 746.—Imp. Gaz.