RAJGARH/BHOPAL: It’s exhaustingly hot at the hill-top temple in Rajgarh on April-end afternoon of Akshay Tritiya Day. Watching her steps from under a long veil of heavily embroidered red saree and a huge mangalsutra dangling from her neck, Meena (name changed) quietly follows groom with a shiny headgear and Rs 20 garland adorned bosom. They bow before the Goddess, seek priest’s blessings and then come out in the open courtyard, naked feed blistering, to complete a round of ritualistic blessings-seeking from different forms of deities placed around. Under guidance from an older relative, the young couple also pose for a photograph and when the veil goes up, a beautiful adolescent face emerges – not more than 14 years of age visually. A closer look at her groom and he could not be over 16. When asked, the little groom shyly pronounces his name, but stutters when asked his bride’s. He looks at his relatives for help, but they too are a little confused. Finally a name emerges, but when one confirms it from the young bride, it is the wrong one.

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