Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 270

A WEDDING PROCESSION
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aim and object of each ceremony or else a long rigmarole
in praise of the bride and bridegroom, in which they also
give expression to the most heartfelt wishes for their future
happiness.
The festivity ends with a solemn procession through the
streets, which generally takes place at night by torchlight
The
in the midst of squibs and fireworks of all kinds.
newly married pair are seated face to face in an open palan-
quin highly decorated. Both of them are loaded, rather
than adorned, with flowers, jewels, and other ornaments,
The pro-
for the most part borrowed for the occasion.
cession advances slowly.
Relatives and friends before
whose houses it passes, come out to meet it. The women
perform the ceremony of aratti to the couple, and the
men give presents of silver, fruits, sugar, betel, &c. These
gifts are really only a loan, for those who receive them
are expected to return them on similar occasions to the
givers.
I have sometimes seen wedding processions that
were really beautiful, though perhaps not quite according
to our taste.
Such are a Brahmin's wedding ceremonies, all of which,
and many more minute observances which I have not
thought it worth while to mention, are scrupulously per-
formed with more or less magnificence by rich as well as
by poor.
Sudras' marriage ceremonies are equally solemn, though
much
In every caste marriage
less elaborate.
is
looked
upon as the most important affair in a man's life. It is
also the most expensive one, and brings many a Hindu
to ruin.
Some spend on it all that they possess, and
while others, in order to fulfil
a great deal more besides
what is expected of them, contract debts which they are
;
never able to repay l
I shall say nothing of the feasts which are given by their
relatives and friends to the newly married couple, of the
presents they receive, or of the ceremonies in their honour.
I will only add that for a whole month the feasting and
rejoicings go on.
.
When
1
of
One
all
the festivities have at length
of the planks of the Social
marriage expenses.
Ed.
come
Reform platform
is
to
an end,
the reduction