Last week I have been to Punjab for a “ grand punjabi marriage” . Marriages in Punjab are quite like a social carnivals. It is always grand and lively actually one can add as many as adjectives one can .Main features of punjabi marriages are:
1. Lot of noise
2.Lot of colors
3.Lot of sweets and cuisines
4.Lots of gossips
5.Lot of marriage making discussion
6.Lots of old and new customs.
As I said it is a social carnival, which means a interaction with lots of people and I tell you that’s the place for lot of stories and variety, one can’t believe. Topics from fashion to rocket science to international politics.
Marriage ceremonies are compilation of traditional rituals and customs but with time things are changing and so as rituals. I will try to capture all important events of a Punjabi marriage. As I have been from boy side so I am going to spell out functions from that side.
Takha or Rokka In this ceremony, the boy and the girl commit to enter a wedlock, and won't consider any more matrimonial proposals. The girl's maternal uncle gives her the nath (nose ring) which she will wear on her wedding.Though rings are not exchanged, the couple stand unofficially engaged after this ceremony.
Sagai/Kudmai This ceremony begin with the tikka ceremony, held few days before the wedding in which the family of the girl visits the boy's place 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.
The girl is draped with a chunni (stole), which is usually very ornate. 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.
Mangni/shagun The Engagement ,The girls side of the family goes to the boys' side with gifts, jewellery, and other goods, to confirm the engagement but these days because of time constraints Mangni is planned along with SAGAI. Girls possession is led by girl’s brother, who worship groom as god and offer him lot of gifts.
Dholki/sangeet : This part of the wedding is full of noise.Respective families invites their neighbors and relatives to sing wedding songs at their homes till marriage.On groom’s side all relatives from maternal or paternal side organize sangeet every night.
Mayina: After this ceremony, would be bride and groom can’t their home alone. Oil is applied to both of them and Ghana is tied to their wrists.
Sanda: Maternal uncle perform this ceremony. he leads this puja with brides parents and perform all donations later maternal uncle gifts CHUDDA to bride (red and creamy bangles ). On other side groom to have to sit in puja after this puja groom’s maternal uncle help groom to take bath which is known as BHUTNA after bath groom have to jump on 7 earthen cups and break them, this is known as KHADE CHADNA.
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. For the bride the mehndi is sent by the future Mother in Law, which is beautiful decorated.
Sarbala(caretaker of the groom): A young nephew or cousin also dons similar attire as the groom. He is called the sarbala/shabbala and accompanies him though out the wedding.
Sehrabandi: It comprises of dressing up of groom in his wedding attire. After the groom has dressed up in his wedding clothes, a puja is performed. Thereafter, the groom’s brother in law or Pundit ji ties the sehra on the groom’s 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.
Varna Varna is a ceremony that is supposed to ward off the evil eye. The groom's bhabi lines his eyes with surma (kohl).Usually this ceremony is performed after ghodi chadai but it is not a hard and fast rule.
Ghodi Chadna: The Ghori Chadna is the final ceremony at the groom’s place. The groom’s 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 , it like grooms side throw coins before his procession .
After that whole barat leaves for Girl’s place.
1. Lot of noise
2.Lot of colors
3.Lot of sweets and cuisines
4.Lots of gossips
5.Lot of marriage making discussion
6.Lots of old and new customs.
As I said it is a social carnival, which means a interaction with lots of people and I tell you that’s the place for lot of stories and variety, one can’t believe. Topics from fashion to rocket science to international politics.
Marriage ceremonies are compilation of traditional rituals and customs but with time things are changing and so as rituals. I will try to capture all important events of a Punjabi marriage. As I have been from boy side so I am going to spell out functions from that side.
Takha or Rokka In this ceremony, the boy and the girl commit to enter a wedlock, and won't consider any more matrimonial proposals. The girl's maternal uncle gives her the nath (nose ring) which she will wear on her wedding.Though rings are not exchanged, the couple stand unofficially engaged after this ceremony.
Sagai/Kudmai This ceremony begin with the tikka ceremony, held few days before the wedding in which the family of the girl visits the boy's place 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.
The girl is draped with a chunni (stole), which is usually very ornate. 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.
Mangni/shagun The Engagement ,The girls side of the family goes to the boys' side with gifts, jewellery, and other goods, to confirm the engagement but these days because of time constraints Mangni is planned along with SAGAI. Girls possession is led by girl’s brother, who worship groom as god and offer him lot of gifts.
Dholki/sangeet : This part of the wedding is full of noise.Respective families invites their neighbors and relatives to sing wedding songs at their homes till marriage.On groom’s side all relatives from maternal or paternal side organize sangeet every night. Mayina: After this ceremony, would be bride and groom can’t their home alone. Oil is applied to both of them and Ghana is tied to their wrists.
Sanda: Maternal uncle perform this ceremony. he leads this puja with brides parents and perform all donations later maternal uncle gifts CHUDDA to bride (red and creamy bangles ). On other side groom to have to sit in puja after this puja groom’s maternal uncle help groom to take bath which is known as BHUTNA after bath groom have to jump on 7 earthen cups and break them, this is known as KHADE CHADNA.
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. For the bride the mehndi is sent by the future Mother in Law, which is beautiful decorated.
Sarbala(caretaker of the groom): A young nephew or cousin also dons similar attire as the groom. He is called the sarbala/shabbala and accompanies him though out the wedding.
Sehrabandi: It comprises of dressing up of groom in his wedding attire. After the groom has dressed up in his wedding clothes, a puja is performed. Thereafter, the groom’s brother in law or Pundit ji ties the sehra on the groom’s 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.
Varna Varna is a ceremony that is supposed to ward off the evil eye. The groom's bhabi lines his eyes with surma (kohl).Usually this ceremony is performed after ghodi chadai but it is not a hard and fast rule.
Ghodi Chadna: The Ghori Chadna is the final ceremony at the groom’s place. The groom’s 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 , it like grooms side throw coins before his procession .
After that whole barat leaves for Girl’s place.
Hai shava...
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