174 Col. Macrrnzir on Hindu and Mahommedan Marriage Ceremonies. 
tion in life, containing sweetmeats piled in different forms, and cups of 
sherbet, each tray being covered with a coloured cloth. ‘The bride’s Brah- 
min receives the trays from the servants, and places them before the bride- 
groom’s father, after which ceremonies of worship are performed to Gauri 
and Ganésa. ‘The servants are rewarded, and each of them taking a hand- 
ful of pulse-flour, and singing satirical songs usual on the occasion, scatters 
the flour on the persons who formed the marriage procession. Some of the 
Brahmins next take a vessel containing water from the Ganges, a pair of 
dhoties, or clothes worn from the waist downwards, and money, and present 
them to the bridegroom’s father; then the relations of the bride, who till 
that time had remained at a short distance, come forward, congratulat- 
ing those of the bridegroom with friendly salutations, and exchange betel- 
leaves with each other as a mark of satisfaction. The relations of both 
parties now retire to a distance, the bridegroom’s barber comes forward with 
a vessel of water he had brought with him, and shaves the father of the 
bride. The brother of the bridegroom is next brought forward to perform 
the ceremony termed Gdohdth ; that is, his father sends him with such arti- 
cles as he has brought for the bride, such as four pyramids, made of pulse- 
flour and water, in the midst of which various kinds of sweetmeats are 
deposited, also silver ornaments and coloured garments, small baskets from 
five to fifty-one in number, each containing five sweetmeats, with fruits, 
spices, a coloured thread, rice, molasses, small red boxes, combs, vessels for 
holding the betel-leaf, and jewels. The bridegroom’s brother, accompanied 
by a procession of music, illuminations, &c. conveys these things to the 
house of the bride, at the door of which he is met by her father, who receives 
them; he then conducts the bride to the J/undoh, or place prepared for the 
wedding, where she is placed with a confidential servant standing behind 
her. As soon as the bride is seated, the Brahmins of both parties read the 
Vedas and Sastras, after which the bridegroom’s brother presents to the 
bride a dress, some jewels, and an offering in money and looks at her face ; 
but from that time he must be particularly careful not to look at her, as it 
would be considered a great crime were he to see her face again until the 
proper time for exposing it arrives. The relations of both parties once more 
congratulate each other, and having again exchanged betel-leaves, they 
retire from the Mundoh to the place where they first assembled. 
In a short time the bridegroom is conducted in great state to the door 
of the bride’s house, into which he enters alone; he is met by the bride’s 
