An ode to the celebration, colours and sparkles, Rajasthani weddings are full of vibrancy and tradition. The marriage rituals of Rajasthan bloom from the Rajputana heritage, age-old Marwari customs and the rich cultural amalgamation of the state. Garnished with modern-day elements, ultimately these ancient marriage rituals contribute to the big-fat Rajasthani weddings.
The marriage rituals of Rajasthan consist of pre-wedding, wedding, and post-wedding festivities. Here are seven unique marriage rituals of this royal state:
Pre-wedding Rituals
The series of wedding rituals begin days before the wedding that set the tone for the celebrations first, through Puja, second, through Havan and third, through decorations and grandiose events.
Tilak ceremony
An ancient tradition known as Roka in other parts of the country is The Tilak ceremony in Rajasthan. It is an official announcement of the impending marriage, where families exchange gifts, followed by a small celebration. Furthermore, the gifts for the groom involve the royal elements of Rajasthan, namely, sword, clothes, jewellery, and sweets. The Tilak represents the merging of families and welcoming each other with honour.
Pithi Dastoor
Similar to the Haldi ceremony, Pithi Dastoor has several traditional, and scientific associations to it. Relatives of both the parties apply the paste of turmeric and sandalwood to the bride and groom respectively. It’s indeed a joyous ceremony! Vibrant rituals, traditional music, instruments, and the graceful decor dominate the occasion.
Mehfil
Rajasthani weddings are incomplete without the cultural flavour of the state. A lively evening with music, striking traditional clothes, and tons of festivities adore a typical Rajasthani wedding. It is a culture in Marwari weddings to have different Mehfil for men and women. Ghoomer is the highlight of the evening, a buoyant dance performed by women in big flowy lehengas. An event to celebrate the bride and her new life ahead. The opulence of the entire event makes the bride feel like a royal queen.
Wedding Rituals
Not to mention that the wedding itself hosts a myriad of rituals, all performed to make the sacred tie more auspicious. Right from the bride leaving the Mandap together with the groom to the final vows, various ceremonies involve Baraat, Jaimala, Granthi Bandhan, Kanyadaan and the Pheras.
Nikasi
Nikasi is an elaborate ritual of getting the man ready to be a groom. Sehra – ornate headgear made of flowers or zari dangles or strings of pearl. Only after the sacred vows, the groom reveals his face. The groom’s brother-in-law ties the Sehra, and in the same fashion, his sister-in-law applies kajal behind the groom’s ears to ward off the inauspicious energies. Not to mention that a graceful mare is readied for the Baraat and the groom strides to the Mandap.
Palla and Janev Ceremony
On the wedding eve, the groom performs the Puja and Havan in saffron attire. The groom wears a sacred thread that particularly symbolizes the responsibility attested to him as a married man. Consequently, he embarks into the new phase of his life, from the Brahmacharya Ashram to the Garhasthya Ashram.
Additionally, the groom’s family presents precious gifts, bridal jewellery to the bride for a new stage of her life.
Post-wedding Rituals
Tears make their way through the eyes as the bride makes her way into her new home! Several ceremonies mark this auspicious yet extremely emotional event!
Bidai
Bidai is a ritual around bidding goodbye to the bride from her paternal home. Amidst an overwhelm of emotion, from joy to tears, Bidai is a ritual that represents the journey of a woman from being a daughter to a wife. Parents of the bride place a coconut under the wheel of the carriage as a good omen for the journey onward. As a matter of fact. it only during the Bidai, the bride lifts her veil for the first time in front of her husband.
Griha Pravesh
The in-laws perform various rituals and hold ceremonies to welcome the bride! The entire family along with the guests perform an Aarti as the bride steps into her new house. She crosses the threshold into a tray containing milk and vermillion solution – a symbol of positivity and prosperity. Bride takes her first coloured steps into the home and kicks over a pot filled with rice and coins, symbolising the bearer of fertility and wealth to her husband’s home.
A joyous vibe, a house full of celebration and the true spirit of tying a knot for life and beyond, Rajasthani marriage rituals are an auspicious setting stone for a couple’s journey forward.
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