Nishchitartha - Engagement

Marriage is the choice of bride and bridegroom. Colour, caste, sect, ancestry (gothra), fmaily, lineage, existing relationship, age factors, occupation, health, educational background, economic conditions, home and living situations and several other such aspects are considered.

Relatives of the bridegroom go to the house of the bride and place in her hands fruits and flowers stating that they desire to choose her as the wife of the bridegroom. Father of the bride discusses the offer with his daughter, wife and his family members, elders and the wise.After getting their concurrence, he conveys the acceptance. Symbolically, the coconuts and fruits are tied up within a piece of cloth and worshiped. The knot of this bundle is removed only after the completion of the marriage. Relations of the bridegroom honor the bride with cloth, jewelery, flowers and fruits, coconuts, beetle nuts and leaves, sacred red and turmeric powders called as kumkum and arisina. As a part part of her prayer for the longevity of her future spouse, the bride worships goddesses Gowri, Lakshmi and shashi and gives the Bagina (consisting many sacred items in the sacred box) to Sumanglis (women with eternal wife- hood).