Weddings_in_India Category:Indian_wedding_traditions
15-traditional-indian-wedding-types-a-complete-guide-to-rituals-customs/
North India: Known for grandeur and opulence, North Indian weddings—especially in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan—feature vibrant pre-wedding events like Sangeet and Mehendi. The groom arrives on a horse in a festive procession called the Baraat, accompanied by dancing and music.
In Punjab, the Anand Karaj ceremony in a Gurdwara is central, while Rajasthani weddings highlight royal traditions with folk dances like Ghoomar, elaborate feasts, and traditional attire such as lehengas and sherwanis.
South India: Celebrations are marked by simplicity and deep spirituality. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Vedic rituals dominate, with the Mangalsutra tying symbolizing marital commitment. The Kanyadaan ritual, where the bride’s father gives her hand to the groom, is pivotal. In Kerala, the Thalikettu (tying of the sacred thread) is central, often performed with a brass lamp. The bride wears a Kanjeevaram saree, and the groom dons a silk dhoti, reflecting regional textile heritage.
East India: Bengali weddings are a blend of ritual and revelry, beginning with Aiburo Bhaat and culminating in Saat Paak, where the bride circles the groom seven times behind betel leaves. The conch shell blowing and ululation by women add a unique auditory element. In Odisha, rituals like Nirbandha (betrothal) and Baadua Pani Gadhua (ritual bath) are significant, with Saptapadi and Kanyadaan forming the core of the ceremony.
West India: Maharashtra and Gujarat showcase a fusion of tradition and modernity. Maharashtrian weddings begin with Muhurat (auspicious time) and include Sakhar Puda (engagement) and Antarpat (silk curtain ritual). The bride wears a Nauvari saree, and the groom dons a Dhoti-Kurta. Gujarati weddings feature lively Garba and Dandiya Raas dances, with the Hasta Milap (joining of hands) and Mangalsutra tying as key rituals.
North-East India: Tribal communities in Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur preserve unique customs. In Assam, the Mekhela Chador is worn by brides, and the Mehendi and Sangeet are followed by Vedic rituals. Meghalaya’s Khasi community practices matrilineal traditions, with the bride wearing a Jainsem and the groom a Jymphong. In Manipur, the Nga Thaba ritual involves releasing two fish to symbolize harmony in marriage.
Uttarakhand: Pahadi weddings feature a series of rituals including Sagai, Mehendi, Sangeet, Ganesh Puja, Vara Satkaarah, Varmala, Saptapadi, Pani Grahan, Kanya Daan, and Vidaai. A white flag (Nishan) leads the groom’s procession, and a red flag symbolizes the bride’s return home, visually representing the union of two families.
See also
- Hindu wedding
- Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
- Dowry system in India
- Indian wedding clothes
- Interfaith marriage
- Sakharpuda an engagement ceremony for Maharashtrian communities. It is also known as waangnischay (vāṅaniścaya) which literally means verbal agreement.Sakhar means sugar and puda means a packet
- In the sakharpuda, a pre-wedding ceremony, the prospective bridegroom's parents give a packet of sugar to the bride, and the bride's parents give a coconut and coin to the prospective bridegroom. This signifies a solemn promise by both the parents to give their children in marriage. The groom's parents present a sari to the bride, which symbolizes her acceptance into the groom's family. Her hands are adorned with green bangles, and some couples also exchange rings. Traditionally the families wait to print and send the wedding invites until after the sakharpuda.