180 Col. Macxenziz on Hindu and Mahommedan Marriage Ceremonies. 
dresses the boy in coloured garments, scented with ottar and other per- 
fumes, puts wreaths of flowers on his neck, and seats him in the middle of 
the assembly. Some of his nearest relations then strip him; they wash 
his body with pease-meal, bastard saffron, and other compositions, and 
clothe him in choice garments, which they have brought with them as 
presents. The garments thus given by the relations are termed Manjah, 
and the place where this ceremony is performed is, from that circumstance, 
denominated Ménjah Khannah. From the day on which the boy is clothed 
in these garments, he assumes the title of bridegroom. Similar cere- 
monies are at the same time performed by the father of the girl. Her 
relations present her with clothes; and from the day on which she is 
seated in the Manjah Khannah, she is called the bride. Although the 
bride, after the age of seven, has not been allowed to appear before any 
women but those related to her, yet from the day of the Manjah she is 
excluded from the sight of all her own relations, her mother, her sister, 
and her own immediate servant excepted; and she must constantly sit 
closely veiled in a corner of the room. After the ceremony of the Manjah 
Khannah the fathers of both parties give entertainments to their respec- 
tive relations and friends, to whom letters of invitation have been sent ; 
and they must have dances and other ceremonies in their own houses until 
the day of marriage. 
When three days only remain previous to the marriage, the first is called 
the day of shdde, and also of the sdhik ; first, because a canopy is erected in 
a court belonging to the house of the bride’s father for the male guests : 
secondly, because the bridegroom performs the ceremony of the sdhik ; that 
is, he sends at night certain skin, or earthen vessels, in which sweetmeats 
are enclosed, on trays ornamented with flowers, and cups made of painted 
paper and talc, attended by a procession of his relations, friends, and 
guests, with illuminations and music, to the house of the bride. These 
vessels are delivered at the door, and the party who conveyed them either 
return that night, or remain until the next day, as may be most convenient 
to them. The second day is termed Hernabondi. In the morning the 
funeral prayers are read in honour of their ancestors, and at night the 
bride’s father has leaves of a plant called Maindi, or Henna, pounded and 
put into gold or silver vessels, placed on litters ornamented with painted 
paper and talc, which he sends in great state by his relations and friends, 
accompanied by a procession of music and illuminations, to the house of 
