Manjha

Manjha
Manjha is a ceremony that starts a few days before the actual Nikah ceremony. The bride wears yellow clothes and in some of the families, the bridegroom is also dressed in yellow clothes. During these days the Nawan (Barber's wife) in the case of the bride, in Nai (Barber) in the case of the groom rubs Butna (grounded mustard seeds) on the bride's and bridegroom's bodies and each in his or her own house and they take their bath daily after that. This is continued after upto the day of Nikah. The bride is confined in a separate room, which is avoided by male members who are older than her. In the case of groom, it is necessary that during Manjha he should not go out of his house, but few are able to observe this restriction. Girl friends and relatives entertain the bride with jokes and humour.

Among the Muslims, both at the residence of the bride and of the groom, women of both the sides sing to the accompaniment of the Dholak (Drum). Grinded Mehendi (Myrtle)is applied to the hands and feet of the bride of the bride before the actual marriage ceremony takes place, and in some families it is also pasted on the hands of the groom.

Manjha is sent from the bride's side and it is the first occasion when specially the women of both sides meet one another in close familiarity. The Manjha is taken out in a procession with music bands. The main articles sent on such an occasion are the yellow robes of silk satin with golden fringes and embroidery. Sweets and pindis (sugar preparations) are also sent in trays to be used by the groom to improve his health and are eaten with milk. The pindis contain varieties of dried kernels of fruit and gum shaped into round balls. They are also distributed among friends and relatives as a token of intimation of the coming marriage.