Punjabi weddings are known for their splendour and showiness. Just like the opulent culture of Punjab, Punjabi weddings are quite exciting.
GahoiMumbai.com is delighted to provide an insight to these Punjabi traditions…
Punjab is the north Indian agricultural state, with hard working fun-loving people. Their culture is generally associated with a lot of fun and frolic. The Punjabi weddings are popular due to their idiosyncratic style of celebrations. Punjabi wedding rituals are celebrated lavishly. Punjabi Wedding Rituals are elaborate and are celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Punjabi weddings are known for their splendour and showiness. Just like the opulent culture of Punjab, Punjabi weddings are quite exciting. They are conducted extravagantly and celebrated with extreme vivacity. It is difficult to resist the fervour of these weddings as they comprise of traditional popular dances such as Bhangras and Giddas. To celebrate the special occasion like wedding, there are number of rituals, which are performed before and after the wedding. These rituals at times, seem to be just an excuse to celebrate and have fun.
The people of Punjab are best known for their jovial way of life. Their fun loving attribute becomes more explicit when it is an event of wedding. Punjabi Weddings has their own charm as people of Punjab enjoy every bit of life. The numerous customs and rituals of weddings in Punjab are celebrated with full vigour and passion. The extended schedule of the weddings in this region has a great cultural influence over other cultures.
The wedding ceremony consists of many rituals, which have a distinct importance and charm. These weddings due to their colorful manner have got a prominent place in Indian movies.
Pre Wedding Rituals in Punjabi Wedding:
The first ritual is the Roka ceremony which is conducted to secure the commitment from both the families. It is a small function which basically involves exchange of sweets, gifts, dry fruits etc. The next ritual is Sagan which is either held at the groom’s house or in banquet hall. The father of the bride applies tilak on the groom’s forehead and offers him gifts and sweets. This is followed by ChunniChadana, wherein the groom’s family visits the bride’s house. The groom’s sister or sister-in-law presents the girl with a sari. After this, the mother-in-law places a red chunni on her head and gives her jewellery.
After this, the bride is fed boiled rice and milk by the groom’s family and the couple exchanges rings. Few days before wedding, the Sangeet ceremony takes place, in which the female members of the family sing and dance to celebrate the occasion. Just before wedding, Mehandi ceremony takes place. In this, the sister and brother-in-law of the groom take mehndi to bride’s place. This mehandi is applied to the bride’s hands and feet. They also give dry fruits and dates, half of which are consumed by the bride and the other half by the groom.
All pre wedding traditions and rituals are in details as follows:
A Pre Wedding Ritual – Roka :
Roka ceremony is performed on a mutually suitable chosen date as ‘shubhmuhurat’. This function is attended by family members and close friends for mainly exchanging gifts and cash. Roka ceremony is engagement between the alliances and since that day they are allowed to court. The marriage date is fixed after roka.
A Pre Wedding Ritual – Sagan:
The ceremony generally takes at the groom’s house. Sacred fire ceremony named “havan” is performed. The girl’s father applies the “tikka” (made of kesar, rice grains and flower petals) on the boy’s forehead who takes the blessing from the girl’s family members. Each of the relatives and friends present from the girl’s side then offers mithai to the boy and gives cash.
A Pre Wedding Ritual – ChunniChadana:
On this occasion, the boy’s parents and relatives visit the girl’s house. The boy’s sister or sister in law presents the bride a red “chunni” or a red sari. After dressing the girl in clothes brought by the boy’s family, they lead her to the venue of the ceremony where the groom’s mother gives her gifts and adorns her with jewellery. The boy and the girl exchange rings and the girl is given gifts, in cash and kind, by all those present from the boy’s side.
A Pre Wedding Ritual – Sangeet Ceremony:
Sangeet Ceremony is one of the interesting and fun filled occasion of the marriage ceremony. Before the wedding day after Sagan on every night till the marriage day, the relatives and friends get together for singing sessions both at the boy`s as well as the girl`s house. One day is fixed for special sangeet gathering which is attended and celebrated by both the sides together.
A Pre Wedding Ritual – Mehendi Ceremony:
Mehendi is applied on the bride’s hands and feet either by a family member or by a professional but the important factor is that the Mehendi is sent by the boy’s side as part of the kwar dhoti, sent by the boy’s family on the marriage day.
Wedding Rituals and Traditions in Punjabi Wedding:
Before the marriage, the bride is given red and white bangles to wear by her maternal uncle. This is called the Chuda ceremony. In GharaGhardoli, the bride and the groom bathe with the water brought from the Gurudwara. On the main marriage day, a flower veil is tied on the groom’s forehead, after which he sits on the horse. These are called Sehrabandi & GhodiChadna rituals. On reaching the marriage venue, the bride and the groom exchange garlands. This is known as Varmala ceremony. After this, they are taken to the mandap, where the father of the bride does Kanyadaan. This is followed by Mangalpheras in front of the sacred fire.
All wedding day’s traditions and rituals are in details as follows:
Ceremonies at the girl’s house:
The “chuda” ceremony begins with a “havan” or “puja”. The oldest members of the family performing this ceremony keep a fast till chuda. The chuda, i.e., the set of cream and red ivory bangles, is not shown to the girl just before the ceremony. After the puja everyone present is supposed to touch the chuda, which symbolizes offering their good wishes to the girl. The bride is supposed to sit in front of the four oil lamps lit and to which the oil is constantly added so that the glow will be reflected on her face and she will look more beautiful on the wedding eve. A paste of turmeric powder and mustard oil is applied to her body and then the bride is given a bath with holy water. The bride then wears her bridal attire, which is as per tradition given by the maternal uncle.
Ceremonies at the Boy’s house:
The bridegroom is applied a paste of turmeric and mustard oil and is bathed by water brought by his sister in law. His maternal uncle presents his dress and then he changes into his new clothes. The boy’s father or an elderly relative is given the honour of tying the “sehra” on his head. A pink colour turban is first touched by all the relatives present before it is tied on the boy`s head. The groom then leaves for the venue.
As the time of the mahurat approaches, the boy is led to the “vedi” where the pundit performs puja for the boy. The first few mantras are recited by the boy only. This is the time for the mischievous pranksters from the girl`s side to make a grab for the boy`s shoes, which they later exchange for money. Thereafter the girl is led to the “vedi”. Then the ritual of “kanyadaan” takes place where the girl`s father puts a ring on the boy`s finger before placing his daughter`s hand in his. Thereafter the couple take the seven phera`s round the holy fire.
Post Wedding Rituals in Punjabi Wedding:
After marriage, the bride leaves for her marital home and throws back handful of rice towards her parental house. This is known as the Vidaai ceremony. On reaching the groom’s house, the mother of the boy puts mustard oil on both the sides of the entrance door. Then she performs the traditional aarti and asks the newlywed couple to come inside and seek the blessings of the God. After this, a grand Reception party is thrown by the groom’s family. This is done to give a warm welcome to new couple.
As per custom on her first day in her new home, the bride is made to cook something, preferably a sweet dish like halwa or kheer. The parents and relatives of the groom give gifts and presents to the bride. The first day after the wedding is also an occasion when the newlyweds visit the girl’s parents. Both the girl and the boy are given gifts of clothes and jewellery by the girl’s parents and relatives.
Special Features of Punjabi Wedding:
Punjabi Wedding Rituals are a traditional extravaganza and Punjabis follow customs which are truly distinctive in nature. Punjabi wedding is arguably the one with the greatest fun. All the wedding rituals at the wedding ceremony are fun also many games are arranged for this purpose. The Punjabi Wedding Rituals are celebrated with a lot of fervour and fun and hence, register memories for a lifetime.
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