The customs of the Bhats resemble those of other castes of
corresponding status. The higher Bhats forbid the remarriage of
widows, and expel a girl who becomes pregnant before marriage. They
carry a dagger, the special emblem of the Charans, in order to be
distinguished from low-class Bhats. The Bhats generally display the
_chaur_ or yak-tail whisk and the _chhadi_ or silver-plated rod on
ceremonial occasions, and they worship these emblems of their calling
on the principal festivals. The former is waved over the bridegroom
at a wedding, and the latter is borne before him. The Brahman Bhats
abstain from flesh of any kind and liquor, and other Bhats usually have
the same rules about food as the caste whom they serve. Brahman Bhats
and Charans alone wear the sacred thread. The high status sometimes
assigned to this division of the caste is shown in the saying:
Age Brahman pichhe Bhat
take pichhe aur jat,
or, 'First comes the Brahman, then the Bhat, and after them the
other castes.'