History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP. IV.] THE AGHARNI CEREMONY. 155

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on the ground, ornamented in the way described. A new dregs is then put on her, a mark with “ kunku” (red powder) is made on her forehead, and in the fold of her “sari,” near her breast, a cocoa-nut, betel-nut leaves, dates, and other descriptions of dry fruit are placed, as symbols of fructification. With all this on her person, she goes to her parents’ residence, accompanied by her relatives and friends. They all take with them some wheat in a basket, and also sweetmeat, as being emblematical of plenty and happiness. On reaching her parents’ house she stops at the threshold, where her mother recelves her with an ovation of rice and the breaking of a cocoa-nut and egg. On entering she places her right foot in the house first, and goes direct to the room where she expects to be confined. Here she takes a light in one hand and a cup of water in the other, and goes round the room seven times, besprinkling it with a little water at each turn. The object is said to be that her progeny may never witness darkness and drought, 2.e. that her children may always enjoy the sunshine of life and be never im want of water, as the vernacular phrase goes. Her mother then removes the clothes she is wearing, and puts a new dress on her, sweetens her mouth with sweetmeat or sugar, and sends her back to her husband's house with the wheat and other things, after adding some more of each article. After a short interval