Holding sealing material, method for manufacturing holding sealing material, and exhaust gas purifying apparatus

An exhaust gas purifying apparatus comprising:

• an exhaust gas treating body comprising:
• cell walls longitudinally extending to define cells;
• a casing which accommodates said exhaust gas treating body;
• and
• a holding sealing material provided between said exhaust gas treating body and said casing to hold said exhaust gas treating body, said holding sealing material comprising:
• a plurality of mats having a longitudinal direction and comprising a lower mat and an upper mat laminated on the lower mat, each of said plurality of mats comprising inorganic fibers and having a substantially rectangular shape;
• a length of the lower mat in the longitudinal direction being longer than a length of the upper mat in the longitudinal direction;
• each of said plurality of mats being connected to each other at at least two fixed portions;
• and
• the at least two fixed portions being positioned at different positions in the longitudinal direction.