| Basar Ghar
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The bride and groom are welcomed inside the bride's home. There is merry-making and the couple is served dinner. Jokes and poetry recitals by friends and relatives keep the couple awake all through the night. |
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| Bashi Biye
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The next morning, the groom adorns the forehead of his bride with
vermillion. He does this by looking into a mirror. The newly-weds visit the
mandap, and worship the Sun God in the presence of the
purohit. |
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| Bidaai
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This ceremony marks the departure of the bride and groom. From here they set off for the groom's home. The newly weds are blessed by the elders. |
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| Bou Baran
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This ritual is performed to welcome the bride and groom to the latter's home. The women of the house pour water on the ground beneath their vehicle when they alight. The groom's elder brother's wife holds a plate containing lac dye and milk under the bride's feet. Having imprinted the soles of her feet thus, she leads her by the arm into the house. The elders of the house bless the newly weds. |
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| Bou Bhat
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It is during this ceremony that the bride has her first meal in the home of her in-laws. Until now, her meals usually arrive from a neighbour's house. This ceremony is followed by a reception in the evening, hosted by the groom's father. |
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| Phool Sajja
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The last of the wedding ceremonies, this occasion sees the bride in a new sari and the groom in a new dhoti and
kurta. Their nuptial bedroom is beautifully decorated with flowers, which is why the term, phool
sajja. The flowers, clothes and sweets for the occasion usually arrive as gifts from the bride's house. |
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| Dira Gaman
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A ceremony that is conducted when the newly-weds visit the bride's house for the first time after the wedding. The thread that was tied by the purohit on the bride's wrist during the wedding rituals is cut during this ritual. Conch shells are blown to the accompaniment of ululation to mark the auspicious moment. |
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