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practices which are mainly guided by the women-folk and are aptly called ‘Stri Achars'.The Bengali marriage ceremony like all other marriages are dependant upon numerous symbols that signifies good and evil, purity and sanctity, sexuality and other aspects of life. For instance, the colour black is not used as it indicates triste and hopelessness, while red is considered to be a sign of luck, emotion, fortune and copulation and is widely used in décor.

Banana trees are used to decorate the ‘mandap’ or the place of marriage. A banana tree produces huge number of fruits at a time. The comparison is drawn with the bride, who is also supposed to be blessed with many children. The ‘ghat’, the coconut, these all represent child bearing or pregnancy.

All these customs are meant to guide the new couple to a prosperous life and a fruitful life. These customs were more prevalent in the bygone days specially to break the unfamiliarity between the couples and help them overcome their reservations.

Adhibus______________
The actual ritual of a Bengali marriage ceremony begins with the 'Adhibas'. It is a gathering held in both the homes of the bride and the groom. It is either held on the evening before or on the day of the marriage. The elderly women of the family take an active part here. The 'baran dala' or a 'koola' i.e. a container made of bamboo, is decorated with lines drawn with sindoor.The ingredients of the 'baran dala' are paddy, grass, sandal, turmeric, flowers, fruits, curd, ghee, gold, silver, copper, conch shell, 'chamor' and cloth.

The 'baran dala' also consists of seven beetle leaves, seven supari (beetle nuts) and seven 'kauri' (shell) at the bride's place while the numbers increase to nine at the groom's place. According to the  West Bengal tradition, in a different platter a 'Sri' with rice and Mashkalai (variety of whole black leguminous seed yielding gram) is made.

With all these the elderly folks bless the bride and the groom.  The (durba) grass mixed with oil and turmeric are tied on the left hand of the bride and the right hand of the groom. According to East Bengali tradition the Adhibus 'tatta' or marriage items for the bride, are sent to the bride from groom's.