The procedure observed in the examination of horoscopes is as follows. The Tandan of the bride's tara gives a grass or palmyra palm leaf mat to the astrologer to sit on, and supplies mats or seats for the bridegroom's party. The common sleeping mat of wild pine leaves, or a wooden stool, must, on no account, be given for the astrologer to sit on. It may be day or night when the ceremony takes place, but, whatever the hour may be, a lamp having five, seven, nine, or eleven cotton wicks, must be burning in front of the astrologer. The Tandan's wife puts it in its place. Then the boy's uncle hands over the boy's horoscope to his Tandan, who passes it on to the girl's Tandan. The girl's father hands her horoscope to their Tandan, who, when he has received them both, passes them on to the astrologer. The two horoscopes should agree on twenty-one points--a requirement which might prove awkward, were it not that a balance in favour of beneficent influences is generally allowed to admit of the marriage taking place. In the case of agreement, the boy's uncle, through his Tandan, then pays two fanams [20] (eight annas)--one for each horoscope--to the astrologer. When there is disagreement, the girl's uncle pays the money. The horoscopes (which have been privately examined beforehand to make sure of no disagreement) are returned to their respective owners. After the examination of the horoscope, there is a feast with plenty of sweetmeats. The next item is the conjee (rice gruel) ceremony, at which the following should be present:-- (a) On the part of the boy-- 1. Father, his brother, or some one representing him. 2. Husbands of all married sisters. 3. Uncle. 4. Tandan of his tara. 5. Neighbours and friends. (b) On the part of the girl-- 1. Uncle. 2. Relations of married sisters. 3. Relations of married brothers. 4. Tandan of her tara. 5. Astrologer of her tara. 6. Relations and friends. The horoscopes are again formally examined by the astrologer, who announces that their agreement augurs a happy wedded life. The boy's uncle pays him two fanams. The girl's uncle takes the two horoscopes, which have just been tied together, from the astrologer, and hands them to the Tandan of the girl's tara, who passes them on to the Tandan of the boy's tara. They are handed by him to the boy's uncle. The astrologer then writes on a palmyra leaf a note for each party to the marriage, stating the auspicious day and hour for the final ceremony, the hour at which the bride should leave her house, and the hour for her arrival at the house of the bridegroom. The following programme is then gone through. In the verandah, facing east, before the front door, is spread an ordinary sleeping mat, over it a grass mat, and over that a plain white cloth which has been washed and is not a new one. On the floor close by, the following articles are placed:--