| Beliefs about Marriage
In Thanjavur district, it is believed that marriage negotiations
can be accelerated by performing an abisheka or sacred bath to the
image of the deity Kalyanasundara in Thirumancheri village. It is
said that if the garland placed around that deity is removed
and worn by a human being the wearer will get married with in seven weeks.
This has local variations, for instance at the Kodana Rama temple at Madhuranthakam
the performance of an archana (special prayer) to this deity is said to
ensure immediate marriage .
In some social groups, it is forbidden to attend a marriage
after an oil bath, i.e. after anointing one's body with oil and
tasking a bath. It is ordained that mirth in funeral or grief in marriage
should be avoided and so tradition forbids attendance at a marriage
and funeral at the same day .
To get a lover of one's choice, some people prepare
oily concoctions and secretly place them in the toilet-case used by the
beloved or lover .
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