The Swamiji is carried on a decorated chariot and his Mutt icons are carried on a decorated palanquin. This is a joyous procession and very colorful to watch -- effigies of the great saints in the tradition are also carried in procession, musicians play joyous music, scholars walk along chanting hymns from the Vedas, and a large joyful crowd of devotees follow.


or:

A funeral is coming up the street, towards us. The body, on an
open bier, borne on a kind of palanquin, covered with a gay cloth
of crimson and gold.