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. Are you also looking for Punjabi Matrimony? Visit Punjabi marriage bureau in Delhi, now!
