Marwari

Rituals

Rituals of Marwari Wedding

As mentioned earlier, Marwari wedding is one of the most rich ceremonies in terms of traditional rituals. Here’s a brief overview of the rituals that makes the ceremony even more elegant.

Engagement (Tika) ceremony

The wedding ceremony starts with the engagement which takes place at the groom’s place. It is normally attended by the bride's father, brother and other close relatives who attend this ceremony. Ladies are not allowed to accompany the men for the tikka ceremony. According to the age old tradition, the bride's brother smear a tilak to the groom's forehead which sanctifies the engagement. During this occasion, a sword is also presented along with fruits, clothes, sweets to the groom.

Ganapati Sthapana

Ganapati sthapana is synonymous to the establishment of griha shanti. It is performed by both the groom’s and bride’s family, just a couple of days before the wedding. Following the “sthapana”, havan or the worship takes place in the family. The entire process involves the auspicious installation of the Lord Ganesha idol.

Pithi Dastoor

Pithi Dastoor is considered extremely auspicious in which a blend of turmeric and sandal wood paste is applied to the skin of both bride/ groom. Custom says that it binds both the bride and groom and once it is done, none of them can leave their home. During the occasion, the bride is dressed in traditional orange dress and sit under a silken canopy, held with swords on the four corners by four women belonging to the same caste that of the bride. Dholans are played during this time.

Janev Ceremony

According to the custom, the groom has to be dressed in saffron robes like a saint during this ceremony. He has to sit for an auspicious havan before wearing the same. After the havan is done, the groom has to make a mock attempt to run from the chains of marriage and the maternal uncle catches him to convince the groom for accepting the nuptial bonds.

Mehfils

Mehfils are auspicious in their own way and are held in the evening. Separate mehfils are organized for men and women. Everyone is dressed in dazzling costumes and gorgeous jewellery. Women are found in the enclosed courtyard, the ghoomar (a special dance performed with a group). The bride simply sits to experience the function. Men have their mehfils in their own way.

Palla Dastoor

Pala dastoor is brought by the groom's relatives to the bride's house. It includes the clothes, jewelry and gifts from the groom’s house, which the bride has to wear on the wedding day.

Granthi-Bandhan

The 'granthi-bandhan' is nothing but tying the knot. The white uttariya of the groom is tied to the chunni of the bride. It’s the symbolic union of two hearts.

Paanigrahan

It is followed by the 'paanigrahan' ceremony. According to this ceremony, the groom holds the bride's hand in his hand, which signifies the pious union between two souls. It means that the bride and groom will always be together from now, be it a good time or bad.

Ashwarnarohan ceremony

According to this tradition, the bride puts her foot on a grinding stone and her brothers offer kheel or puffed rice in her hands. She has to pass this to the groom to offer it into the fire.

Saptapadi

According to this ceremony, the bride and groom takes seven steps together, which signifies that both of them have to walk together in every step of life. During this, the couple utter seven sentences which signifies promises of nupital bond.

Sindoor

Following this occasion, there comes the main wedding, the day which is full of different occasions. However, the significant of them is the sindoor ceremony. According to the rituals, the groom smears a small dot of vermilion along with red powder to the bride's forehead. It signifies the nuptial bond of the bride and the groom.

Aanjhala Bharaai

Following this tradition, a bag full of money is placed on the bride’s lap by the groom’s father. It’s an auspicious way to welcome the bride in her family. It’s a way to make the bride aware of the family responsibilities.

Paharavani

During this, the groom is requested to sit on a new cloth asana and is welcomed by a Tika. He is gifted with new pieces of gold ornaments. Following this the women folk perform fun-filled 'shloka kahalai' session. The groom has to recite poems or dohas during this session. Following this, the bride worships the threshold (dahaleez) of her paternal home and breaks an earthen diya on it.

Bidai

The wedding ceremony ends with the bidai of the bride. During this ceremony, a coconut is placed under the wheels of the car, in which the bride and groom are supposed to leave. The groom gives jewelery to his bride during this time.