The Punjabis are best known for their zest for life, vivaciousness and of course, the bhangra, know how to pull all stops when it comes to celebrating. Punjabi Wedding Ceremony is a very lively yet a simple function and is celebrated with lots of relish. The wedding ceremony consists of many rituals, which have a distinctive significance and charisma. These weddings due to their colorful manner have got a major place in Indian movies.
Match Making
Matchmaking among Punjabis strictly follows the caste and descent of the prospective boy or the girl. Punjabis usually marry their daughter and son within the community only. Though relations among different castes and communities are increasingly being accepted by them and it is admirable about them. Horoscopes are matched to see which day is auspicious for the marriage.
Costumes
The wedding dress for the bride includes a Sharara, which is a long following skirt and blouse. There is a dupatta to cover the head. The groom wears a gorgeous Sherwani or a conventional salwar and kurta. But there are no rigid rules here.
Pre Wedding Rituals
There are a number of pre wedding rituals, which makes the Punjabi wedding even more colorful.
Roka Ceremony - Punjabi Wedding, Indian WeddingRoka: Roka ceremony is performed on a mutually convenient chosen date as `shubh muhurat`. Family members and close friends for basically exchanging gifts and cash attend this function. The girl`s mama (mother`s brother) gives her the nath (nose ring) that she wears on her wedding. The origin of this ceremony lies in the arranged marriage norm where the parents would let out the world that they are Rokalooking for a suitable match for their son or daughter. And once they had found that match, their search had come to an end. Though rings are not exchanged, the couple stands unofficially engaged after this ceremony. The wedding date is fixed after roka.
Sagai: The wedding celebrations begin with the tikka ceremony, held a week to ten days before the wedding (depending on the number of functions to follow) in which the family of the girl visits that of the boy`s carrying beautifully wrapped gifts and the tikka material: a silver tray with a few grains of rice and saffron in a tiny silver bowl, 14 chuharey (dried dates) covered with silver foil and a coconut wrapped in a gold leaf.
Sagan: The ceremony usually takes at the groom`s house. Sacred fire ceremony named "havan" is performed. The girl`s father applies the "tikka" (made of kesar, rice grains and flower petals) on the boy`s forehead who takes the blessing from the girl`s family members. Each of the relatives and friends present from the girl`s side then offers mithai to the boy and gives cash.
Chunni Chadana: On this occasion, the boy`s parents and relatives visit the girl`s house. The boy`s sister presents the bride a red "chunni" or a red sari. After dressing the girl in those clothes, they lead her to the venue of the ceremony where the groom`s mother gives her gifts and adorns her with jwellery. The boy and the girl exchange rings and the girl is given gifts, in cash and kind, by all those present from the boy`s side.
Sangeet: Before the wedding day after Sagan on every night till the wedding day, the relatives and friends get together for singing sessions both at the boy`s as well as the girl`s house. One day is fixed for special sangeet session, which is attended and celebrated by both the sides together.
Mehendi: Mehendi is applied on the bride`s hands and feet either by a family member or by a professional but the important factor is that the Mehendi is sent by the boy`s side as part of the kwar dhoti. Wedding Ceremony
chuda ceremony - Punjabi Wedding, Indian WeddingCeremonies at the girl`s house: The "chuda" ceremony begins with a "havan" or "puja". The oldest members of the family performing this ceremony keep a fast till chuda. The chuda, i.e., the set of cream and red ivory bangles, is not shown to the girl just before the ceremony. After the puja everybody present is supposed to touch the chuda, which symbolizes offering his or her good wishes to the girl. The bride is suppose to sit in front of the four oil lamps lit and to which the oil is constantly added so that the glow will be reflected on her face and she will look more beautiful on the wedding eve. A paste of turmeric powder and mustard oil is applied to her body and then the bride is given a bath with holy water. The bride then wears her bridal attire, which as per tradition given by the maternal uncle.
Sehra Ceremonies at the Groom`s house: The bridegroom is applied a paste of turmeric and mustard oil and is bathed by water brought by his sister in law. He changes into his wedding attire, which is presented to him by his maternal uncle. The boy`s father or an elderly relative ties the "sehra" on his head. The pink turban is touched by all present before it is died on the groom`s head. The groom then leaves for the venue.
At the venue: The bride`s family waits at the entrance to greet the baarat (the groom and his family), who reach singing and dancing. The father, brother, uncles and grandfathers of the groom embrace the corresponding members of the bride`s family. While embracing, they try to lift each other as a show of strength and superiority, amidst much laughter and cheer. When they enter the venue the bride is brought out and the couple exchange garlands. The groom, who is usually taller than the bride, is not supposed to bend while she is garlanding him, to tease the bride as if to say she is the one who would have to compromise in the relationship; he will not bend. Another game played is by placing a ring in a plate filled with milk. The bride and groom dip their hands in the plate and the one who comes out with the ring will dominate in the marriage.
As the time of the mahurat approaches, the boy is led to the "vedi" where the pundit performs puja for the boy. The boy recites the first few mantras only. This is the time for the mischievous pranksters from the girl`s side to grab for the groom`s shoes, which they later exchange for money. Thereafter the girl is led to the "vedi". Then the ritual of "kanya daan" takes place where the girl`s father puts a ring on the boy`s finger before placing his daughter`s hand in his. Thereafter the couple takes the seven pheras around the holy fire. Then the bride puts a foot on a stone as she says no matter what problems come their way, she will be stable - solid as a rock. Her brother pours kheel (a sweet) into her hands, which she pours into her husband`s hands. Just as the kheel cannot return to it`s original state of grain, neither can the bride return to her earlier state of daughter of the house.
Bidai - Punjabi Wedding, Indian WeddingOnce this is done the boy`s father sprinkles water on the newly-weds to say that if there are misunderstandings between them, he will help calm them down - not add fuel to the fire. The bride then makes a tearful farewell to her new home in what is known as the `bidai`. Traditionally she would sit in a doli (palanquin), which would be carried by the bride`s brothers. Even now some brides sit in a doli, which takes her to the getaway car, where the groom and a few members of his family are waiting to escort her home.
Post Wedding Rituals
As per tradition on her first day in her new home, the bride is supposed to make a sweet dish like halwa or kheer. The parents and relatives of the groom give gifts and presents to the bride. After that the newly wed couple visit the girl`s parents where the girl and boy are given gifts of clothes and jwellery by the girl`s parents and relatives.
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