Indian weddings are a big-fat celebration of life in itself. Marriage consists of the union of not just two people but two families. In wedding ceremonies, these families come together and find a joyous union. A typical Indian wedding is a hefty affair, with days of celebration and enjoyment. What makes a wedding special are the traditions that the married couple and their families have to take part in. These ceremonies have deep underlying spiritual and religious significance. But it is undeniable that some of them are just eccentric. However, quirky they may seem, they are thoroughly enjoyable and fill the celebration with a jubilant air. These traditions are not just limited to North-Indian weddings but span across the entire subcontinent. They truly prove the richness of culture and heritage that India beholds. So, here are some of these fun traditions spotted in an Indian wedding, and how they are performed.
1. Roka Ceremony
This is the primal step of marriage. It is a tradition that embarks on an official announcement of a couple’s marriage. In the Roka Ceremony both the groom and bride consent to the marriage in presence of both their family members. It is a get-together of the two families where they also exchange ceremonious gifts and sweets. Often this event is accompanied by a pooja in which God’s blessings are asked for this union.
2. Saat Paak
This is a tradition exclusive to Bengali weddings, and it is quite a beautiful sight to behold. The brothers and uncles of the bride carry her, while she sits on a stool. The bride is taken to the mandap in this procession where she is welcomed by the groom. Meanwhile, the bride keeps her eyes covered with betel leaves. The brothers and uncles holding the bride make seven rounds of the groom before keeping the stool on the floor.
3. Find The Ring
In this post-wedding ritual, the husband and wife have a lot of fun. In this ritual, the bride and groom are supposed to compete in finding the ring. But the challenge is that the ring is immersed in a big bowl or thaal of milk, flowers, etc. They are supposed to find the ring four times, and whoever wins is cheered by the family members.
4. Post-wedding Games
Find the ring is a kind of a post-wedding game. But there are many other rituals that help break the ice in a newly built bond between the bride and groom. Find your name in mehndi, untie the knot, and pass the rice are some of the many games that are played post-wedding. Families come together and cheer for the couple in these games, it is a merry celebration of the newlyweds.
5. The Sehrabandi
It is a tradition that gives this kinglike feeling to the groom. He is adorned with a pagri and sehra that he has to wear during his wedding. The sehra acts as a veil and it is a classic tradition of Indian weddings.
6. Misri
Generally, Indian wedding ceremonies last for three days. The onset of these ceremonies is marked by the Misri ceremony. The married couple unites in prayer and exchanges floral garlands and gold rings. The groom’s side gives a gift basket to the bride which essentially includes misri (a form of sugar). This acts as a symbol of sweetness that they wish for in the life of the couple in their future.
7. Dwar Rokai
This is a really fun ceremony. When the groom enters the wedding venue, the bride’s sister and friends stop his entry and tease him. The only condition for entry is that the groom has to present cash to them. A lot of negotiation takes place on the gateway which is usually light-hearted and it finally ends with the groom entering the mandap after paying the bridesmaids.
8. Twisting The Groom’s Ear
In Maharashtrian weddings after all the wedding rituals end, there is an interesting tradition that follows. The bride’s brother funnily enough twists the groom’s ear as a gentle reminder of his responsibilities. Everyone has a good laugh in this ritual. The brother is supposed to remind the groom that he must take care of his sister or the punishment could be stricter. It is a light-hearted and vibrant tradition.
9. Coorgi Wedding
A priest is central to any Indian wedding. But in the corgi tradition, the wedding takes place in the absence of one. Here, the families and the couple meet, they celebrate a lavish feast and pray to god. And just like that after taking their parents’ blessing, they are announced, husband and wife.
10. Pankhana
This tradition is seen in a Gujarati wedding. When the groom enters, the bride’s mother gives him a grand welcome. But alongside this, she also pulls his nose. This is called Pankhana, and it is a lesson of staying humble. It signifies that the groom is coming to their house to marry their daughter, and he shall always stay humble and courteous.
11. Kaal Ratri
This ritual is not as much enjoyed by the married couple as it is by their relatives. They get to mock the newlyweds in a lighthearted manner. The first night after marriage is usually the couple’s night of togetherness but in Bengali tradition, this is not the case. Rather, they make the couples stay in different rooms on their first night.
12. Saanth
To cast off all the evil from the groom, the source is a custom that encourages evil giggles! In this Sindhi tradition, the groom is made to sit and oil is poured over his head. Then follows the violent tearing of his clothes. But it’s nothing to be afraid of, it is just a jolly tradition that every groom has to go through.
13. Kaashi Yatra
This is a custom followed by Tamil Brahmins. In this, the groom leaves the mandap and the bride’s brother and father pursue him to return. It is just rhetorical and dramatic, and a really fun tradition. This custom is seen as the groom’s last chance to adopt ascetic life and leave the materialistic world behind. It is specifically hilarious when this ceremony is held in love marriage.
14. Jutti Chupai
This is a funny and playful wedding tradition where the groom’s shoes are stolen by the bride’s sisters and cousins. In return for the shoes, they demand gifts and money. And the amount of money asked is not little, it can go as high as 10 lakhs in some cases or even more.
One thing everyone will agree on is that Indian weddings are incomplete without these traditions. They add life to the festivities and induce enthusiasm amongst the guests and family members. It’s pretty sure that the next time you will notice any of these traditions at any wedding you will know for sure what they are.
Also read,
https://www.venuemonk.com/blog/most-unique-and-coolest-groom-entry-ideas-for-your-baraat
https://www.venuemonk.com/blog/10-latest-groom-mehendi-designs-we-spotted-for-2022-wedding