Know everything about Punjabi Wedding Traditions

Know everything about Punjabi Wedding Traditions
INTRODUCTION
Punjabi weddings are known to be wildly extravagant. They are filled with loud laughter and
music, hearty food, beautiful lehengas, and colourful flowers and decor. However, there is a lot
to this three-day long wedding ceremony. Much like the Punjabis, their weddings are
enthusiastic and meaningful in every aspect as they leave no leaf unturned to get the
celebration going. However, the preparation for the wedding starts much before the wedding
itself with the pre-wedding rituals which are followed by the various traditions of a great Punjabi
wedding.
Some of the Pre-Wedding rituals are 1) Roka and Thaka
As arranged marriages still the norm in most Punjabi communities, they often approach Punjabi
marriage bureaus in Delhi to scout qualified prospects for the wedding. Once the wedding is
fixed, a small ceremony called Roka is held that signifies the union of the two families. Here the
bride's family visit the groom's abode with gifts and sweets. In turn, the grooms family also visits
the bride's house to return the gesture and finalizing the wedding. These are called Roka and
Thaka, respectively.
2) Chunni Ceremony
In Punjabi weddings, the Chunni ceremony often precedes the Sagai. It symbolizes the
mother-in-law's acceptance of the bride. This is done by presenting to her a vibrant red chunni
that she dons like a veil over her face and she is also offered with jewellery and several family
heirlooms, accompanied by other gifts such as dry fruits as Shagun.
3) Sagai or Mangni
The Mangini or Sagai is the official announcement of the engagement and is often a grand
ceremony that occurs a few months before the wedding. The families from both the bride's and
groom's side come together, and amongst other rituals, rings are exchanged as a promise of
marriage.
4) Sangeet
The three-day extravaganza of a Punjabi wedding starts with a musical sangeet ceremony.
Traditionally, this was organized by the bride's family, where the women from her family
assembled and sang traditional folk songs together. However, nowadays, the grooms and
bride's families join this fun-filled event where they battle it out with various singing
performances and choreograph dances.
5) Mehendi
This ceremony can be found in almost all Hindu weddings as well as Punjabi` weddings. Here
the bride is embellished with beautiful henna designs. The henna paste is applied on her hands
and legs as intricate designs are drawn with the henna paste. It is a tradition that the groom's
name is to be hidden amid the, and later on, the groom has to find it. As time passes, the henna
becomes darker as it takes on vibrant colour and smells fragrant. Other members of the family
also get these henna tattoos applied to their plans to celebrate the occasion.
WEDDING RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
A) Jago
Here the family tries to stay up late, and this tradition is mainly carried out just as dawn breaks.
A copper khada is decorated with clay, and the maternal aunt carries it on her head while
another woman tries to shake it off with the help of a long stick. As the ceremony unfolds, they
sing various songs and distribute sweets as they visit houses of relatives.
B) Gana Bandhna and Choda Chadhana
In Gana Bandhna, a ritual is carried out at the bride and grooms respective houses in the
morning where a sacred thread with betel nut is tied around their wrists. Chood Chadana is
where red and white bangles in the multiples of four are slipped into the bride's hands by her
maternal uncle, who plays a vital role in this tradition.
C) Haldi
Haldi is an essential part of Punjabi weddings. This ceremony takes place at both the bride's
and groom's places where a rich paste of turmeric and besan is applied to their face and body to
bring out a beautiful golden glow.
D) Gadoli
In this ceremony, the bride's sister in law carries a pitcher filled with water to the nearest temple
and takes the Lord's blessing. This water is later used by both the bride and the groom to take
baths before their wedding
F) Sehra Bandhi, Godi Chadha and Milni
In Punjabi weddings, the groom's maternal uncle ties a sehra around his turban after a puja
ritual, and he gets on a female horse to ride to the marriage destination. He travels with his
family and friends, called the Barat. They dance to the sound of dhols to their goal. Finally, the
Barat reaches the marriage destination where both the families meet and exchange greetings
and hugs, which is called Milni.
G) Varmala
Finally, the groom and the bride meet and exchange Varmalas or flower garlands while they
shower them with flowers, ultimately ensuring their union.
H) Kanyadaan
This is one of the most important ritual in a Punjabi wedding where the father presents his
daughter to the groom, holding him responsible for her wellness and happiness relieving himself
of them. This ceremony is often sentimental and heartfelt to watch.
I) Pheres
In Punjabi weddings, the bride and the groom circle the fire altar seven times. This ceremony
seals the seven vows that they make to each other with each circle around the fire altar as the
priest performs the rituals. These seven vows seal their marriage, and they are declared
husband and wife as the mangal sootra, and the sindoor rituals are finished.
POST-WEDDING CEREMONIES
i) Jooti Chupana
As the groom is busy with the Punjabi wedding rituals, the bride's sisters and friends steal his
jooti and hide it away. Later on, as the bride is to eave, they demand ransom for the shoes
before the groom can wear it and take the bride away. This tradition is mostly all fun and games
and is often quite entertaining to watch.
ii)Vidaai and Doli
In Punjabi weddings, the Vidaai is often very emotional as the bride bids the maternal family and
home adieu and leaves with her newlywed husband to go to his house. She throws a handful of
puffed rice behind her head as she leaves as a symbol of leaving all that she holds dear behind
and moving towards a new life.
Finally, the lengthy wedding ceremony comes to an end as the bride arrives at her new house
along with her husband and the begin their new life together at her new home and family.
Thereon, she must learn the unique traditions and ways of her husband's family and adapt to
her new environment as she begins her married life.
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