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The tradition of marriage is considered to be the most sacred and pious ceremony in Indian culture. The wealth of Indian heritage is embodied in the various wedding customs observed in the various states of India.
Marriage symbolizes the virtues of love and companionship in the best and worst of times. The bride and groom, linked by the wedding knot, make vows to support one another in times of happiness and adversity.
The occasion of the wedding brings a touch of joy, laughter and pleasure. Gathering the family relationships strengthens the bonds of love and affection. The atmosphere of the feast and celebration enhances the joys of the future bride and
Groom.
The aura of amusement that surrounds a wedding ceremony is best exemplified through Punjabi wedding rituals.
Punjab can be defined as a land of generous people who believe in a life of love, laughter and jokes. Her enthusiasm and zest for life radiate through her personality and charisma. The charm of Punjabi weddings lies in the elaborate and flamboyant customs followed in Punjabi culture. The Punjabi community, gracefully maintaining the richness of their traditions, adds to the humor and glee of wedding ceremonies.
Punjabi wedding rituals consist of ostentatious and extravagant practices. The wedding celebrations begin with the roka ceremony, which is the formal beginning of the relationships between the families of the future bride and groom and ensures their involvement in the process. This is followed by a sagan ceremony in which the groom goes through a ritual practice in which the family offers the bride gifts and sweets. The custom of ‘Chunni Chadana’ is then carried out by the groom’s family, in which the bride is presented with a red saree as a sign of acceptance into the groom’s family.
This is followed by the Sangeet ceremony, where traditional folk songs are sung and beautiful dances are performed. As part of Kwar Dhoti, the custom of ‘Mehandi’ is then carried out.
The wedding rituals include “Chuda”, “Vatna”, “Ghara Ghardoli”, “sehrabandi”, “Ghodi Chadna”, “Milni”, “Varmala”, “Kanyadaan” and “Phere”.
The ‘Chuda’ ceremony is celebrated with a havan or puja led by the priest who ties a thread on the bride’s wrist. Chuda, a set of red and cream ivory bangles, is then turned and touched by everyone present to bless the bride for her future married life.
It then follows the custom of ‘Vatna’, in which turmeric paste and mustard oil are applied to the bride’s body to enhance her beauty on the wedding day. The ritual of ‘Ghara Ghardoli’ is then performed by the sibling or wife or wife of the bride, who visits the nearby temple and fills a jug with holy water. The bride is then bathed with this holy water. The rituals of Vatna and Ghara Ghardoli are observed in both the bride and groom’s family.
Then follows the tradition of Sehrabandi, in which the groom is tied a turban, after which gifts and cash are offered to him as a token of luck and love.
Ghodi Chadna is a ritual in which the groom’s mare is fed by his sisters. Then he climbs on the mare and goes to the wedding venue.
The Milni ceremony is a custom in which the family and relatives of the groom are warmly welcomed by the bride. Garlands and gifts are exchanged, after which the groom is led to his bride.
This is followed by the ritual of Varmala, during which the bride and groom exchange garlands.
The climax of the wedding occurs when the rituals of ‘Kanyadaan’ and ‘Phere’ are performed. The father of the bride gives his daughter to the groom. The Punjabi bride and groom then do seven rounds or ‘Saat Phere’ around the sacred fire. These rounds are celebrated by the priest chanting the mantra.
Punjabi weddings are therefore an occasion for extreme liveliness and exhilaration. The richness of Punjabi customs and traditions is effectively extended to their wedding ceremonies, enhancing the joyful occasion of the bride and groom’s union.
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