Wedding Traditions In India, Before You Decide To Get Knot For Life

A nation full of traditions and customs ought to have diverse wedding traditions in India. “Shaadi” is a big deal! “shaadi jo kare wo pachtaye or jo na kare wo bhi…” For Indians, it is no less than a social event as people and from misri, sangeet, mehndi, haldi and more, lots of rituals take place.

“Shaadi ek dal chawal jaise hai jo agle 50 sawaal trendy rehti hai…”

So, with no further ado, here are some of the many wedding traditions in India:

Sikh Wedding

“Bulb utaro, aethe rakho.”

●      When a couple takes chakras around Guru Granth Sahib, prayers (ardaas) are read from the Holy Book in Gurudwara.

●      Red chudhaas are a must for the brides.

Assamese’ Biya

●      Some of the most “aww” wedding traditions in India come from the North East (the Seven Sisters of India). As of now, we will focus on Assam.

●      Without the Tel-Diya Ceremony, an Assamese wedding is not possible. The groom’s mother visits the bride’s house and gifts Assamese Dress, Mekhla Chadar.

●      For showering the spiritual atmosphere, blowing conch shells during wedding ceremonies is a traditional practise.

Bengali Ceremonies

“Aami tu maake, bhalo bashi.”

●      Among many wedding traditions in India, the rituals from Bengali ceremonies are getting attention due to cinema and media. Certain rituals take place before the Bengali wedding.

○      Vridhi Puja for remembering ancestors.

○      Halud Tatva Ritual: the bride is gifted from the in-law’s side.

○      Snan Ceremony is similar to Haldi Ritual in Hindu Ceremonies.

●      On the wedding day, the sitting bride on a wooden plank is lifted by her brothers. 7 rounds are taken around the groom. The wedding is finally executed by many post-marriage rituals.

Jain Wedding Ceremonies

●      The wedding traditions in India are many, and Jain ceremonies are less heard of in the mainstream blog or media.

●      From Lagana Lekhan to Lagna Patrika Vachan, Granthi Bandhan (tying a knot of saree to a shawl of grooms) takes place on the wedding day.

●      To express dhanyawaad, a special day post-wedding, Jina Grahe Dhan Arpana is organised. Alms are distributed for completing all the ceremonial rituals peacefully.

Marwari Wedding

“mhare hiwda mein naache mor…”

●      All the rituals are united after Ganesh Sthapana followed by Griha Shanti (havan is held for the success of the wedding).

●      Haldi Ceremony (Pithi Dastoor): Groom and bride play with turmeric along with their relatives. “Fir mehfil sajti hai jaha naach-gaana bajta hai.”

●      Post-Janeu (a sacred thread worn by the groom) and Palla Dastoor (gifts to the bride from the groom’s side), the wedding day arrives.

●      Groom wears achkan with a turban and carries his royal sword. The bride wears a glittering lehenga-choli.

Buddhist Wedding Customs

“Simplicity at its best.”

●      Na fufa ka gift, na hi saale sahab ke kapdo ki tension! This is less talked about wedding traditions in India.

●      The couple takes blessings from the monks by visiting the Buddhist Temple wearing the wedding dress, Bhaku.     

Parsi Wedding Customs

“Jab ek priest takes chakras around the couple.”

●      Post-Sagai, Madhavsaro takes place where both the families plant a tree in a pot and is kept near the entrance of the house.

●      Ara Antar is a very enthusiastic ritual where the brothers of a bride hold a cloth between the couple.

●      Post throwing milk on the shoes of the groom, the 7 strands binding strings are loosened.

Maharashtrian Cultural Wedding

“Jab mulga-mulgi mile mandap pe.”

●      Jab-jab horoscope mile, tab-tab dil mile. Horoscope matching is one of the wedding traditions in India, especially important in Marathi Weddings.

●      Saakhar Pude is an engagement ceremony considering the beginning of a wedding process.

●      Muhurat Karane is an auspicious moment where the parties decide the date and time for the wedding.

●      Kelvan is a food-day for a groom and bride where relatives arrange a special Thali. Just another way to increase motapa two days before a wedding.

●      Bina ‘Mundavalya’ Marathi Shaadi remains adhuri. It is worn by both bride and groom. The bride wears either 6 yards long pethani or 9 yards nauvari saree. Grooms mostly prefer white or beige kurta in typical Marathi trousers.

Tamil Wedding Style

●      When both parties meet at Naandi Shraddham, the groom is welcomed with rose water showering.

●      Nishchayathram is known to be an engagement day.

●      Groom wears only ‘two pieces’ garment, Veshti and Angavastram, and the bride wears traditional Kanjeevaram Silk Sarees in vibrant colours paired with glittering jewellery.

●      All the wedding day rituals start at dawn with MangalaSnanam, a Haldi ceremony followed by Gauri Puja.

●      The day ends after Saptapadi when a couple holding hands takes 5 rounds around the agnee.

Wedding traditions in India are just as festive as any other of its many festivals. They are like occasion cum festivals where people get together to bless the couple who are about to take up a new path of foreverness.

“Baaki, experience karo toh pata lage shaadi ke laddoo ka swaad. Sahi?”