OF BHARATAVARSA OR INDIA. 
217 
earth-mounds and old brick wells near Sadras betray the 
existence of an ancient town. 
Their marriage customs differ also considerably. Origi- 
nally they did not perform any ceremonies at their marriages, 
but later on, the majority adopted Jaina or Hindu rites. A 
manuscript in the Mackenzie Collection contains the following 
description which, however, resembles the common Hindu 
marriage customs.^^' The bride and the bridegroom are 
anointed with oil, and dress themselves after their bath in new 
clothes. The bride sits in the pandal on the left and the 
bridegroom on the right. Both are adorned with flowers and 
have golden tinsel (bhdsikatn) on their foreheads. A shoot of 
the Pippal or Holy Figtree (Aracu, ■Sjjr is fixed between the 
two inner posts of the pandal, in which the ceremonies are per- 
formed and the people walk round those posts. The marriage 
is attended by the headman and all relatives. The former 
when approaching the betrothed couple breaks a cocoanut, 
and places the TaH which is fastened to a golden string, 
in the upper cup. This is handed round to ten or more 
relatives, who shout mangali, mangali. Eventually the bride- 
groom, who receives the Tali, at last fastens it round the 
neck of the bride, uttering the name of Govinda. The nearest 
relatives now with crossed hands pour saffron-colored raw 
rice on the heads of the young pair : this ceremony is called 
Cesai (G<5^aD(a^), in Telugu Sesa (^-^).^^^ After this the 
couple prostrate themselves at the feet of their elders and sit 
down in their midst. Betel leaves and nuts are then handed 
round, and the eating and drinking commences. After the 
distribution of garlands, \heKankana is tied on the right wrists 
of the happy pair. The Cesai ceremony is repeated during the 
two following days, while the bride and bridegroom occupy 
their former seats ; after that the guests are liberally enter- 
tained. On the fourth and fifth days pepperwater (milaku- 
tanni) and rice are served out. On the latter day the bride 
See Mackenzie Collection, new copy, vol. IV, p. 78. 
'28 From the Sanskrit Slrsa, head. 
