In Assam when a girl hits puberty, many rituals and traditions are performed to welcome her maturity and fertility
This tradition is called ‘Tuloni Biya’ or ‘small wedding’ to celebrate a girl’s first period
It is much similar to a real wedding, except for the absence of the groom
The girl is confined in a room for four to seven days
No man is allowed to see her and even the girl is restricted from seeing even a picture of a man
On the fourth day, she needs to take a ceremonial bath smeared with turmeric
The girl also needs to maintain a strict diet. She is allowed to eat only boiled food or fruits and sprouts
On the seventh day, the girl again takes the ceremonial bath smeared with turmeric
After the bath, she is cladded in "mekhela chador" and wedded to a banana tree as part of the ceremony
This is followed by a grand feast and celebrations in which the girl is showered with gifts and jewellery
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