Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-01-11
MICELL-ANY.
Hindoo Marriage Ceremony.

NOW the appointed time comes; the
bridegroom is conducted into the inner de-
partment of the house, where no persons
are allowed to enter, except his father,
priest and the barber. As he passes
through narrow entry the young women
throw at him a copious shower of pastry
made of raw rice and molasses. The place
for the marriage ceremony is furnished
thus: Two painted seats of board for the
bridegroom and bride; some other aushuns
small pieces of carpet, for the priest and
parents set of all sorts of household |
furniture used by them and small throne,
containing some images of their gods. The
services is conducted in the Sanscrith Ian
guage, which none but the priests can un-
derstand. After the preliminary service
the young couple look at each other for the
first time, which is called shooblo dirstu,-
good interview. This good interview, or
rather first interview, relieves the young
man from his doubts and fears in regard to
Her face is covered with a veil, and she
cannot see her husband she only knows
that she is going to marry some one, and
her definite knowledge of him ends with
this fact. They require the bridegroom to
stand on piece of that painted board, then
the bride is brought, sitting on similar
seat, and supported by two or four men, as
the case requires. BY them she is raised
in the air and as the bridegroom looks ca
gerly, the face being then unveiled, some
young women give blows on his back, sides
and shoulders. Receiving the first expect
ed blow from The gentIer sex, he turns to
the direction from whence it comes, and
others favor him with more from various
quarters. He, no doubt, feels very badly,
and greatly confused, and if he be stout
and grown-up young man he bears these
blows with manly fortitude, and if not, he
cries little. / have heard of some boys,
who, unable TO bear these invasions, look
ing up, cried aloud, Ma shall not mar
ry." They then exchange two flower gar
lands, which can be done in Bengal all the
year round. The priest then bind their
four haDds with cord made of flowers,
and causes them to recognize each other as
lawful husband and wife. The guests re-
main sitting during this part of the cere-
mony, and the father of the bride, her un-
Gle, or mother, is required to take part in
the ceremony and dedicate her to the BRIDE
groom. At the conclusion the priests re-
ceive their fees, according to some fixed or
der. For instance, if the bridegroom pays
Eve dollars to the priest of the bride, her
father is required to pay double the sum to
the other priest. The entertainment of
the guests then takes place in the yard,
hall, porticos and other places. The Brah-
nuns sit in one place, the Shoodras in an
other, and thus each according to the rank
held in the caste system. Some difficulties
yet disturb the bridegroom in the dining
room. The women contrive various sorts
of fun to plague him. They set cakes
made of rags, rice made of white cork, on
the plate, and milk composed of white chalk
and water-good things are, of course, Civ
en- by-and-by, bnl these he dare not touch
lest there be other bidder. difficulties. In
order to give some distinct idea of the fun
the young women practice on this occasion,
would mention the sad case of my uncle.
They dug va. in the floor, foar feet square
and as many feet deep, purposely to perpe-
trate joke upon him: piece of shaggy
carpet was spread for the seat, supported
by frail sticks. Poor unclel unconscious
of the hidden trap, sat on il and down he
went. In order TO add more to his embar-
rassment, there was water at the bottom OF
the vat. Judging from these. and witness
ing other kinds of plaques, l should say
the marriage night is rather hard time for
q Bengaiee bridegroom.
The "bashar ghor," or brides chamber,
is crowded with women during the night
who entertain the married couple with
songs, make the bridegroom sing, and an
swer, if he can, some puzzlins questions,
enigmas, &c. The reader will notice that
here there is allowed free intercourse in
! sneech between the man and women. But
it should here be explained that these wom-
en- must be sisters of the bride OF her
. brothers wives. near or distant relations
Her mother or aunts, who in law would be
such TO the bridegroom, do not enter into
mirih of the "bashar ghor." The next
morning his father has to pay soEpe money