291 



H'ntory of the Ravioossics, 



[Oct. 



band. This consits of three or four yellow coloured threads, with 

 two golden beads, and five of dark coloured glass. The bride- 

 groom fastens the niunic round the bride's neck, and it is not af- 

 terwards removed, unless she becomes a widow. Two silver rings, 

 called jorvee, are put on two of the toes of each of her feet at the 

 same time; after which, the ceremony of kuunea dan, or bestow- 

 ing the maiden, t.ikes place. A brass dish, or bason, is brought, 

 and a small copper pot with water, which the bride's mother pours 

 out on the bridegroom's feet, and the father-in-law washes them. 

 AVhcn they have thus bathed his feet, the bride's mother, bowina^ 

 down, places her head on the bridegroom's feet, and tells him that 

 she has delivered her daughter over to him. The Brahmun is again 

 presented with a dukshuna, or small sum of money, after which he 

 tells the young couple to ascend the boulay or altar ; accordingly 

 the bridegroom takes his bride up, and places her astride* on his 

 hip joint, and advances to the altar, placing his right foot first on 

 the step, and both of them sit down on the boulay, the bridegroom 

 being on the right. Some stalks of sooratie,t or sunkarie,]: are 

 now brought, and these being set fire to, the home ceremony, or 

 burnt offering is made ; this is done in the present instance by the 

 bridegroom's taking some ghee, or clarified butter which he casts 

 on the fire to burn, the bride having so far assisted as to touch his 

 hand with hers at the time. The bridegroom takes up the bride 

 attain, and performs the prudukshina, or circumambulates the burnt 

 offering five times, upon which the parties sit down. Shortly af- 

 terwards, the Brahmun directs them to go into the house and pros- 

 trate themselves before the household gods, and such of their 

 parents as may be inside. ^ However, previous to their moving off 

 the boulay, the Brahmun, or one of their relations, ties the bride- 

 groom's dbottur to the bride's sary ; after a little, the knot is un- 

 tied by one of the female relations inside, when she has obtained a 

 promise from the bridegroom that, he will present her with a sary, 

 or a chollie ; after which they return and sit down on the boulay. 

 An entertainment, which had been prepared, is now served out to 

 all the relations and persons of the caste, who sit down in themand- 

 wah to partake of it. The bridegroom and the kurrolly (his sis- 

 ter) sit on the boulay, and have a dainty dish or two presented to 

 them ; the bride accompanys the other females into the house, for 



* Children in India are always carried about in this manner by their 

 mothers, until they have attained the age of two and three years. 



t The Citysus Cajan. + The Crotobaria Juncea. 



