Punjabi Wedding Ceremony
A traditional Punjabi wedding is conducted in Punjabi and has a strong punjabi influence. The marriage rites are conducted in the Punjabi language by the priest. The Punjabi wedding is full of fun and frolic with traditional Punjabi songs and dances specially designed for the marriage function. Punjabis are basically fun loving people and this is clearly reflected in their festivals, traditions and customs.
Chuda and Ghara Ghardoli – The priest conducts a puja (traditional rites) in front of the sacred fire. A sacred thread (mauli) is then tied on the bride’s wrist. The bride’s eldest maternal uncle and aunt have a very important role to play. They need to fast until this event is completed. The girl has to wear a set of traditional white and cream ivory bangles. All present for the ceremony have to touch these bangles. They bless the girl and give their best wishes. Traditional gold plated traditional ornaments are then tied to the bangles of the girl.
Four lamps are lit and the bride sits in front of the lamps. The lamps are kept burning so that the glow from the lamps are reflected on the bride’s face. A typical paste of turmeric and mustard oil is then applied to the bride by the female members of the family. The girl looks beautiful and there is glow on her face.
The girl’s brother visits any nearby temple, fills it with holy water and the girl is bathed in this water. These ceremonies take place at the bridegroom’s place at well. The bride and the groom then adorn their new wedding dress. The maternal uncles of the bride and groom present these to them.
Sehrabandi and Ghodi Chadna (Wearing of traditional turban and riding the decorated horse) – This is also one of the most important customary rituals. The groom wears an attractive and bright pink turban, which is blessed by elders of the family. Whoever is there to witness this function, giveaway gifts and cash to the groom? The next ceremony is applying the surma (eye mascara). This is normally done by the groom’s sister in law. They then feed the horse with food. The groom climbs the horse and then proceeds towards the wedding venue. Money is given away to the musicians who play the percussion; this is basically to ward off any evil eyes. Traditional Punjabi dances and folklore are performed.
Milni Ceremony (Welcoming the bridegroom and his family) – The groom and his family are given a warm welcome by the bride’s family. They are welcomed with scented flowers and garlands and with the sprinkling of rose water. Shagun (token of respect) is given to the groom’s close relatives by the bride’s family. Normally, cash and clothes are given as shagun.
Varmala and Wedding Puja (rituals)
Garlands are exchanged between the bride and the bridegroom. The near and dear ones tease the couple on this happy occasion. A muhurat (auspicious time) for the wedding is chosen. A puja with the chanting of the sacred mantras (chants) is performed in front of the bride and groom. The groom repeats these chants. This is when the bride’s sister steals her brother in law’s shoes and hides them. The groom is supposed to pay off some cash and get his shoes back. This is a fun filled tradition and the bride’s sister earns a lot of money.
The bride is escorted to the wedding dais and kanyadaan is performed by the bride’s father. He puts a ring on the groom’s finger and gives away his daughter to the groom. Seven rounds are taken by both the bride and the groom in front of the holy fire. Then the couple seeks blessings of all the elders of both the bride and the groom’s family.