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Tika
The next most important ceremony is the Tika or Tilak.
On an auspicious day, representatives of the bride's family come to the
bridegroom's house and perform the Tika ceremony. They put a vermilion
mark on the bridegroom's forehead and offer caps, clothes and sweets,
as presents from the father of the bride. The relatives and friends of
the bridegroom assemble to watch this ceremony. Later they are given a
grand feast to mark the occasion.
In some castes and communities, small doses of
opium are distributed to the people who come to watch the Tika ceremony.
Those who take the opium, are supposed to give evidence in case the marriage
ceremony is not solemnized due to some unforeseen conflict between the
contracting parties.
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