The wooden body of this double-reed instrument has six frontal tone holes; the metal funnel is decorated with a floral pattern. A straw mouthpiece stands on a long reed support. Attached to the shahnāī, which originates from the province of Benares, are a slot for storing the mouthpieces and a spike for pressing them on. The shahnāī, or shehnai, is rarely played alone. It is of great importance in folk music and also at processions, weddings and other festive events in the north and north-west of India.