Evening star., 1928-03-17

BARWAHA, India. March l7.--~Gsily-
attired guests laden With ornaments OF
gold. silver and jewels, began arriving
At Darva Mahai early today to see an
American Sirl become the third wife
OF a former native ruler.
The wedding Of a Hindu noble to q
white wife who had been reared In the
Christian faith was an occurrence with
out precedent to many OF the guests.
while 10 Miss Nancy Ann Miller or
Seattle the rites for making her the
wife Of Tukoji Rao. former Maharajah
OF Indore. were novel.
Overnight Barwaha had been con-
verted into a dream city or romance
and splendor for the marriage.
Miss Miller today was admitted TO
the Dhancar caste at a ceremony pre-
nminary to her wedding. She sat
down 70 a meal With the women OF the
caste after accepting food OF which the
bridegroom previously had partaken.
This ceremony made Sharmssta
Maraths as we'll as a Hindu.
Adopted Into Family.
Miss Miller wore a brilliant magenta
sari and her head was covered with
cloth Of gold.
Later in the morning she was adopted
into the Holkar family with all religious
rites, During the ritual she sat on
silver cushion. Beside her sat the
senior Maharanee, two motherS-in-law
and the senior members Of the caste. !.
The blessings Of the Hindu GOD
Gunati were invoked upon the function
bv the priests. The members OF the
Eolkar family then warmly received the
new member.
family the American girl emerged from
the MARQUEE. where the elaborate cete-
monies had taken place. with the title
Of her higlaness the Maharanee Sharr'-
isfa EolEar. which 10 Indians ls an
swp-inspiring change from plain Nancy
Miller. The entire proceedings were
generally regarded es an event unpar-
alleled in Marathi history.
Great Dinner Is Given.
A great dinner was held last night
on the grounds OF Tukoii Raos palace
Numerous guests, lncluoing Suu Dtlsn al
ea-s. came from Indore TO attend the
fete.
Tukoii Raos residence at Darya
Mahal. which is in q small Jungle near
Rarwal1a. was decorated with flowers.
leaves and bunting for the ceremony
this afternoon at a time which astroi"
ogers had found auSpicious.
In such a ceremony. performed with
the highest vedic rites, guests once
within the house have to so barefoot
/ The bride and bridegroom enter sep
arateIv. both barefooted also. dressed
in costly silk and with scarlet caste
marks on their foreheads.
They are conducted to the central
place Of the hall. where they stand on
either side OF curtain. Brahmin
priests then begin singing hymns and
continue to sing them throughout the
ceremony, which lasts nearly two hours
Presented 10 Gathering.
The bride and bridegroom continue
to stand on each side OF the curtain
until the Muhoorta Kale-the auspi-
cious time according to astrological CAL
culations-is reached. and then the cur
tain Is raised. The bride and bride
groom place Rarlands on one another g
neckS and are formally presented to
the gathering as intending to become
husband and wife.
! A sacrifciai fire OF the bark and
| stems OF the peepui tree Is lighted In
the center OF the hall The priests
bride and bridegroom, their relatives
! and intimate friends sit around the
/ fire while the ceremony Of giving away
! the bride Is performed. IL Is the GUS
| tom for the brides father 70 do this
| Col. Lambhate, senior member OF ths
Holkar family. was designated 10 give
| Miss Miller 1Devi Sharmista) away.
The giver pronounces words. which
! may be translated thus: For the Coo
| OF Lore. for wealth and for the bless.
/ ing of procreation. to you offer Dew
| SharmiSta" The bridegroom replies
! that he accepts the offer.
Tied Together by Thread.
Then q long yellow cotton thread
| soaked In q tumeric solution In handed
! the pair. They wind 1t around them
| selves betokening that they are bound
/ together In life. The thread Is un.
! wound and twisted into two bangles
which are tied on their respective
/ wrists.
! Sacred offerings are made 10 the fire
/ while priests chant holy vedic mantras
/ and the pair walk seven times around
/ the fire which they invoke a. witness
I IN their marriage.
! The priest repeats the marriage vow,
in sanskrit and the pair reply in