Pre-wedding rituals[edit source | editbeta]

Takha In this ceremony, the boy and the girl commit to enter a wedlock, and won't consider any more matrimonial proposals. Ardaas is done, followed by exchange of gifts. Mangni/shagun The engagement is usually very high profile. The girls side of the family goes to the boys' side with gifts, jewellery, and other goods, to confirm the engagement. Rokka It is an unofficial engagement ceremony where the family and friends come give present,money and blessings to the couple to be. The girl's mamu (mother's brother) gives her the nath (nose ring) which she will wear on her wedding. The origin of this ceremony lies in the arranged marriage norm where the parents would let out the world that they are looking for a suitable match for their son or daughter. And once they had found that match, their search had come to an end. Though rings are not exchanged, the couple stand unofficially engaged after this ceremony. Looking forward to starting the wedding ceremonies. Sagai The wedding celebrations begin with the tikka ceremony, held a week to ten days before the wedding (depending on the number of functions to follow) in which the family of the girl visits that of the boy's carrying beautifully wrapped gifts and the tikka material: a silver tray with a few grains of rice and saffron in a tiny silver bowl, 14 chuharey (dried dates) covered with silver foil and a coconut wrapped in a gold leaf. The father of the girl applies 'tikka' on his son-in-law's forehead and gives him his blessings and some money. In return, the girl's family receives baskets of seven dried fruits: almonds, cashewnuts, chuahara, coconut pieces, raisins, khurman (dried apricots) and phoolmakhana, at the kudmai (sagai or engagement). Nowadays the tikka ceremony is usually combined with the engagement. First, the girl is draped with a chunni (stole), which is usually very ornate. In some families this chunni is a family heirloom, passed down from generation to generation. She is also presented with jewellery, which her mother and sister-in-law help her wear. A tiny dot of mehendi is applied to her palm for good luck, and the function is sealed with the exchange of rings. Everyone present congratulates the couple by feeding them sweet. Dholki/sangeet Can be one day or many days, usually high profile in a banquet hall, ladies sing traditional songs, and it is the eastern version of the western bridal shower. There is a sangeet function hosted by the girl's family, in which just a few close members of the boy's family are invited. The girl's family play the dholki (an elongated tabla) sing songs in which they tease the boy and his family. Nowadays people hire DJs and have a dance party followed by dinner. Ladies sangeet-is held for the bride and her bridesmaids. Mehndi The last major function before the wedding is the mehendi. Mehendiwallis are called to the respective houses of the boy and girl and they apply mehendi to the palms of the female family members, and the hands and feet of the bride. A basket containing bindis and bangles is handed around so girls can choose those that match the outfit they plan to wear to the wedding. The Mehandi ceremony takes place in the atmosphere of a party. The bride and other ladies get mehndii (henna designs) done, on their hands and feet (most ladies get it done only on their hands but the bride gets it done on both hands and feet). For the bride the mehndi is sent by the future Mother in Law, which is beautiful decorated.

Henna

Rituals at the brides home[edit source | editbeta]

Chuda On the wedding day the rituals at the girls home begin with the Chuda ceremony. The oldest maternal uncle and aunt play an important role in the performance of the ceremony. Chuda is basically a set of red and cream ivory bangles that is touched by all present which is gifted by girl's Mamma (mother's Brother) the girl does not see the chuda until she is ready for the marriage. People touch the chuda and give their heartiest wishes to the girl for her future married life. Also, they sprinkle flower petals on the bride. After that, the girls uncle, aunt, friends and cousins tie kaliras (silver, gold or gold plated traditional ornaments) to a bangle worn by the girl.

Chuda of a Punjabi bride Vatna/Haldi Four lamps or diyas are lit and the bride is made to sit facing them. Oil is constantly poured into the lamps, so that the glow from diyas is reflected on her face. Vatna involves applying the paste made from turmeric powder and mustard oil all over the girls body by her female friends and relatives. This is done to make the girl look more beautiful on the special day of our life. This ritual demands that the bride to stay at home in her old clothes for a couple of days before her wedding. Ubtan is supposed to bring glow on the bride's and groom's body especially their face. This tradition is also known as Shaint in some cultures. After this ritual, bride and groom are constrained from meeting each other until the wedding ceremony. Ghara gharoli The decorated pitcher of water (ghadoli) is brought for the bride's bath by the groom's bhabi (brother's wife). In the Ghara Gharoli ritual, the brides sibling or siblings spouse visits the nearby temple and fills a pitcher with holy water. The girl is then bathed

with this holy water. Thereafter, the bride wears their wedding attire.The ghara gharoli and the vatna ceremonies take place at the grooms house too. But over there, the boys sister-inlaw brings the pitcher of water. As per the tradition, their wedding dress is presented to them by their respective maternal uncles. The Rut Jugga In this ceremony, the family dances and sings in the beautifully decorated wedding home. Rut Jugga is celebrated in the last hours of the night. They decorate copper or brass vessel called "gagger" with diyas (clay lamps) and fill them with mustard oil and light them. The bride/bridegrooms maternal aunt (mammi) carries it on her head, and another lady will have a long stick with bells, and she will be shaking it. The ladies will then go into other friends and families homes and be welcomed by sweets and drinks, they will then dance there and move on. It is a loud ceremony, filled with joy, dancing, fireworks, and food.

Rituals at the groomss home[edit source | editbeta]

Sarbala A young nephew or cousin also dons similar attire as the groom. He is called the sarbala/shabbala (caretaker of the groom) and accompanies him.

Groom riding a horse with his sarbala. Sehrabandi Like the brides home, the Vatna and Ghara Gharoli are followed by the dressing up of groom in his wedding attire. After the groom has dressed up in his wedding clothes, a puja is performed. Thereafter, the grooms sister ties the sehra on the grooms head. After the completion of Sehrabandi ceremony, all those who witness the function give gifts and cash to the boy as a token of good luck.

A groom with sehra. Varna Varna is a ceremony that is supposed to ward off the evil eye. The groom's bhabi lines his eyes with surma (kohl). Ghodi Chadna The Ghori Chadna is the final ceremony at the grooms place. The grooms sisters and cousins feed and adorn his mare. To ward off the evil eye, people use cash and perform the Varna ritual. The cash is then distributed among the poor. After this the boy climbs the horse and leaves his home for the wedding venue.

Ghodi chadna

Rituals at the marriage venue[edit source | editbeta]

Milni It literally means "Introductions". The Ardas is performed by the priest (Giani) followed by the formal introductions of the main male players in the families. For example both eldest Chachas (father's younger brother) will come together and exchange garlands of flowers and money. In the Milni ceremony, the girl's relatives give Shagun (a token of good luck) to the groom's close relatives. It is done in the descending order, beginning from the elder most. Cash and clothes are gifted. Jaimala/Varmala After Milni, the bride and groom come in the middle of the circle where the family is standing, and place a heavily made garland made of flowers- varmala on each other to state, they accept each other and will love and live together with one and other.

Friends and relatives of the bride and groom indulge in teasing and fun, to celebrate this happy occasion. An auspicious time or muhurat is chosen for the performance of wedding ceremony.

Hindu bride and groom. Kanyadaan and Phere The bride's father puts a ring on the boy's finger and then he gives his daughter to the boy. This ritual is known as the Kanyadaan. It is after the kanyadaan that the pheras begin. The pheras take place in front of the sacred fire-agni. After this the groom applies Sindoor (vermilion) to the girls hair partition and the Mangalsutra Rasam takes place where the groom ties a beaded necklace i.e. a mangalsutra to the girls neck. When all these rituals are over, the couple gets up to touch the feet of all the elder members in the family and seek their blessings for a happily married life. In a Hindu Punjabi Wedding, Agni (sacred fire) is usually encircled seven times. In a Sikh wedding, the bride and groom will walk in tow around the Guru Granth Sahib four times, called laanva. Joota chupai It literally means 'hiding the shoes'. The brides sisters indulge in stealing of shoes. It is a fun tradition, in which the girls charge a fee for agreeing to return the shoes. They demand Kalecharis of gold for the bride's sisters and of silver for her cousins. Nikah Nikah is Muslim marriage ceremony. Nikah is the contract between a bride and bridegroom and part of an Islamic marriage, a strong covenant (mithaqun Ghalithun) as expressed in Qur'an 4:21.

Post-wedding rituals[edit source | editbeta]

Vidaai/Doli Vidaai marks the departure of the bride from her parental house. As a custom, the bride throws phulian or puffed rice over her head. The ritual conveys her good wishes for her parents. Her brothers accompany the bride. Her relatives throw coins in the wake of this procession. In keeping with tradition the mother in-law will often not come to the Doli and instead make preparations at home to greet the arrival of her son and new wife. The motherin-law has a glass of water in her hand, which she circles 3 times around her bahu (daughterin-law) and then makes a mock move to drink her water. Her son is supposed to stop her before she can drink it! (significance: not known). Backybang

Rituals observed at the groom's house[edit source | editbeta]

Reception at the boy's house

The newly weds are welcomed in a ceremony called the pani bharna. Then the bride must, with her right foot, kick the sarson ka tel (mustard oil) that is put on the sides of the entrance door before she enters the house. Then, along with her husband, she must offer puja in their room. Then they must touch the feet of the elders in a ceremony called 'matha tekna'. The rest of the evening is spent in playing enjoyable traditional games.

Alta dipped feet of the bride. Phera Dalna The newly weds visit the bride's parents on the day after the wedding. The brides brother usually fetches them.

See also[edit source | editbeta]

Arranged marriage in India Sikh wedding Punjabi culture Indian wedding photography Hindi wedding songs

References[edit source | editbeta]

http://www.indiaparenting.com/occasions/345_3619/punjabi-wedding-customs.html http://www.nikhilbhide-theweddingplanner.com/marriage-rituals-in-india/punjabi-marriagerituals.html http://weddings.iloveindia.com/punjabi-wedding/wedding-rituals.html http://www.shaadi-direct.com/languagematrimonials/punjabi.htm

External links[edit source | editbeta]

Today we are covering Some of the important Gujarati wedding Rituals, This a first post on of the Series on Indian wedding Customs and rituals. Gujaraties are lively people, they celebrate all their festivals and functions with lot of splendor, colours, dance and dazzlingly decor.Gujarati weddings are very colorful and vibrant. It is full of tradional ritualism, dance and fun.

Pre wedding functions

Sagai (engagement ceremony) this is the formal ceremony where too families promise commitment of relationship. The bride visits with matli (a container which is fill with sweets and gifts) as good luck. A short ceremony is performed and sweets and food is serve to the guest Mandap Muhurat - this is a typical hindu ceremony performed at brides and grooms place. A priest is been called, small pooja is performed and family takes blessing from bride and groom. this ceremony is performed few days before wedding Griha Shanti this ceremony is again performed by priest. Small pooja is completed and a perfect date and time is decided according to the zodiac signs of bride and groom Garba this is traditional Gujarati dance which is performed by family members night before wedding. This ceremony gives chance for both families to meet, greet and know each other well. Plenty of dance is done using hands and sticks hitting on each other. Pithi this ceremony is held by bride and grooms family a day before wedding by inviting their close relatives and friends at their respective places. Yellow turmeric powder is applied on the body of bride and groom by all the womens in their family. It is been said that the turmeric powder brings the healthy glow on the face.

Wedding ceremony

Barat on the wedding day groom arrives on horse dressed in traditional attaire and family members dance in surrounding on the traditional music of band. Ponkhana (welcoming the groom) the groom is welcomed by brides family in traditional way where brides mother perform aarti and pulls him payfully by grabing his nose. Groom then step forward by crushing earthen pots into small pieces this signifies that groom has power to overcome any obstacles in his married life Ganesh Pooja after the groom is welcomed to the mandap the ceremonies start whith prayer of lord ganesh who is know are aradhya daivat (god of peace, happiness and prosperity). Madhuparka the brides father wash grooms feet with honey, yoghurt and ghee. This is the time when sister and cousins of groom steel shoes and groom have to offer some money and take it back. Kanya Agman (brides arrival) the bride arrives with her maternal uncle (mama) on the mandap when she reaches mandap there is curtain (antarpath) in between of bride and groom which separates them from each other Jaimala during the arrival of bride the priest begins the ceremony by saying mangalashtak and then antarpath is lower and the couple exchange the garlands Kanya dan the ritual is that parents give (dan) their daughter (goddess laxmi) to the groom (lord Vishnu). Parents give away their daughter by keeping her hand onto the grooms hand. Varmala cord is tied around the neck of bride and groom and looped around 24 time by the elders in family. This means the couple is safe from any negative energy or evil Hasta Milap the scarf wore by groom is tied to the scarf of bride this is known as meeting of soul. The petals of flowers and rice grains are shower on them during this ceremony. Mangal Pheres brother of bride is asked to put some rice on the hands of bride and groom and pour it in hawan. The bride and groom take four circles around the hawan (fire) signifying the promise to be with each other, good health and prosperity, blessings, love and loyalty. During this ritual the priest recite some mantra. After which the bride and groom runs and sit on the chair, it is been said that whoever sits first will rule the house for life time. Saptapadi during this ceremony the groom helps bride to touch 7 betel nuts with her right toes by chanting seven mantra in which he request for support from his wife in ups and downs of their life. Sindoor Daan The groom puts red powder on brides head and ties mangalsutra around her neck which symbolize that she is married and belong to him. Kansar the bride and groom feed sweets to each other after this all rituals have been done (this varies from tradition to tradition). Akhanda Saubhagyavati Bhava here any seven womens are called to give blessing to newly married couple. These womens bless bride as akhanda saubhagyavati bhava which means that may your husband live long life and be with you forever. Ashirwad The newly weds take blessing from elders by touching their feet.

Post wedding functions

Vidaai This ceremony is about departure of couple which include tears of joy and sadness as the bride is departing for her new home leaving her old memories back.

Ghar Nu Laxmi The bride is welcome in her new home as laxmi who will bring happiness and prosperity in their house. The mother-in-law place a matka or steel vessel filled with rice and ask bride to enter the new world by touching vessel with right foot.

Finally at the end some games (aki beki) are played for fun and the day is concluded with the prayers to god requesting him health wealth and prosperity throughout the life for newly wed couple

A Bengali Wedding

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Free CommunityMatrimonyCommunityMatrimony.com/RegisterFreeFind a groom from your Community Search 1000s of profiles with photo Sony Project Resoundwww.Sony.co.in/ResoundA Mission To Revive The Magic Of Pure Sound. Watch Kailash & Shreya. The tying of the nuptial knot in traditional Bengali style entails a series of elaborate and colorful rituals, which are not only enjoyable but are of great significance in conjugal life. The blowing of the conch shell and ululation by the women gathered at the wedding venue are most characteristic of a Bengali marriage. Shehnai recital played by live musicians or else played over a music system adds to this symphony. The purpose is to draw the attention of all and sundry to the wedding and also to summon the invitees. It is also a kind of social declaration from the family to the rest of the society. PRE-WEDDING RITUALS

Ashirbaad - On an auspicious day the elders of the groom's side go to bless the bride and vice versa, by sprinkling husked rice and trefoil on their heads and giving them gold ornaments. It is a kind of acceptance of the boy and the girl on both sides. Aai Budo Bhaat - A bachelorette party for the bride before the D-day thrown by relatives or friends. It signifies their approval as well, and also encourages community feeling. Holud Kota - A ceremony in which five or seven married women of the household grind turmeric with mortar and pestle and anoint the bride with turmeric paste. This brightens up the bride's complexion and makes her skin glow. Dodhi Mongol - At dawn on the day of marriage seven married ladies adorn the bride's hands with the traditional bangles Shakha and Paula - one pair of red and one pair of white bangles, and feed her a meal of curd and rice, the only meal for the day. MAIN WEDDING RITUALS Bor Jatri - The members of the groom's house as well as his friends dress in their best attire and journey to the bride's house where the wedding takes place. Bor Boron - When the bor jatri reaches the bride's place, usually the mother of the bride along with other members come out to welcome the groom and his family by showing the holy earthen lamp, sprinkling trefoil, and husked rice placed on a bamboo winnow (kula). Then they are served sweets and drinks. Potto Bastra - After the groom is seated at the chadnatolla (wedding altar and canopy) - the sanctum sanctorum where only the groom, bride and the priest takes their place, the groom is offered new clothes by the person who is to do the sampradaan - a kind of gift to the boy from the girl's side. Saat Paak - The bride, usually seated on a low wooden stool called pidi is lifted by her brothers and is taken round the groom in seven complete circles. The significance is they are winded up securely to each other. Mala Badal - After the circles are completed, still sitting high on the piri, the bride and the groom exchange garlands of fragrant flowers thrice. This is the first step in which they accept each other. Subho Dristi - After garlanding one another the bride and the groom are made to look at each other in front of all the assembled invitees. This exchange of loving glance is to initiate them to be together officially by the society. Sampradan - The bride then takes her place at the chadnatolla where an elderly male member of the bride's family hands her over to the groom and the couple's hands are bound by the sacred thread amidst recital of Vedic chants and are placed on the mangal ghot - a brass pitcher filled with water that is covered with mango leaves attached to one twig and a green coconut placed on it. Yagna - The bride and groom sit in front of the sacred fire and chant mantras after the priest. Agni, the fire god is made the divine witness to the marriage. Saat Paak - Seven circular rounds are taken by the couple around the fire thereby solemnizing the occasion. Anjali - An offering to the fire is made. The bride's brother puts puffed rice (khoi) in the hands of the bride, and the groom standing close to her holds her hands from the back and extends their arms forward. They then pour the offering into the fire together. Sindoor Daanand Ghomta - Once again seated at their respective places in chadnatolla the groom applies sindoor or vermilion (a symbol of marriage worn by Hindu women thereafter) on the bride's hair-parting. The bride then covers her head with a new sari offered by the groom as ghomta or veil. POST-WEDDING RITUALS Bidaay - This is a farewell - mixed moment of joy and sorrow as the bride is bid adieu with blessings of her parents and relatives to start a new life with her beau. Kaal Ratri - After the couple reaches the groom's house and the initial welcome ceremony is over they are separated for the night, probably to get a refreshing sleep and prepare for the next day's final wedding ceremony. Bou Bhaat & Bodhu Boron - The girl cooks and serves all the members of her husband's family. A banquet is held to treat the guests who lavish gifts on the new bride.

Phool Shojja - The couple is adorned with flowers and are left together alone in their room to enjoy conjugal bliss on a bed laid with flowers.