Anand Karaj

So, now we have finally reached the Punjabi wedding day! The Anand Karaj is the ritual that take places on the day of a Punjabi wedding. The word Anand Karaj meaning “Blissful or Joyful Union”. 

In this ritual, the bride and groom take 4 laavaan (four rounds) around the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book). The groom tends to walk in front while holding the front piece of a long cotton cloth while the bride holds the end of the cloth while walking behind him. Each time the couple makes around, they are making a commitment to each with God as their witness. The four laavaan basically mean that a marriage is not about a couple that merely sits together; moreover, it’s about a husband and wife who have two bodies and one soul. 

Now for a little history lesson; The Anand Marriage Bill of 2012 allowed Sikhs to register their marriages under the the Anand Marriage Act rather than the Hindu Marriage Act. (Crazy, I know.) 

Check out this link for more info: https://www.culturalindia.net/weddings/regional-weddings/sikh-wedding.html

The Tilak Ceremony

The TilakCeremony

So, as we continue our journey throughout Indian weddings, we stumble upon the tilak ceremony. Now there’s not much in this particular ceremony, for it is more of, as you kids like to say, a “low-key” event. 

Now, this function is only celebrated by the groom and his family, along with only the males from the bride’s side. Basically, the males of the families use red vermillion to put this mark (tilak) on the groom’s forehead. It’s known to be a symbol of blessings such as bringing him prosperity for his marriage, have good opportunity in his future, have a blessed family, etc. 

Not only is this an important ceremony for the groom, but it is important for the bride’s family as well. When the father of the bride attends the ceremony, and places the tilak on the groom, it is a sign for the acceptance that he has for his future son-in-law. Moreover, it shows that the bride’s father sees this man as a loving husband for his daughter and someone that will be a good life partner. 

This function could take place in either the groom’s house, but, usually, since it is an important function, often times, it could be held in the temple. This way, when it’s in the temple, the priest of the temple is able to say a prayer and bless the groom for his future. In simpler words, it’s another function with many more blessing cause one can never be over blessed, right?  

Also, check out: https://www.indianholiday.com/wedding-tourism-india/tilak-ceremony.html

The Mehndi Function

            Alright, now in the next part of our journey through Indian weddings, comes the Mehndi function, also known as the henna function. Now in this is particularly for the bride only. Mehndi, or henna, is a paste that is made for the bride which is known to bring positive vibes and wish the bride good luck for her future. 

            Now, since the mehndi function is for the bride, naturally the bride’s family is the one to host the function. And there are many traditional beliefs for many Indian cultures regarding how dark the mehndi’s color turns out. For instance, some cultures believe that the darker the henna turns out, the more loving the bride’s husband will be. And others believe that the darker the henna, the more accepting and loving the bride’s mother-in-law will be. 

            Henna designs are also very extravagant. These designs are picked out by the bride, depending on what she wants her mehndi to resemble. For example, nowadays, some brides get symbols that represent where she first met her fiancé, or some brides get symbols on where her fiancé proposed, etc. Plus, a fun little tradition that has continued on for many generations, is hiding the bride’s fiancé’s name within the mehndi, and then having him find it. If, he is able to find it, it’s known as representation of how much he loves her. But if he cannot find it that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love her, it’s just a little victory for the bride.      

For more information on the henna function, check out: 

      https://www.linandjirsa.com/mehndi-photography-for-indian-weddings/ 

The Lady Sangeet Function

           As we continue our journey throughout Indian weddings, the next topic is on the function called the Lady Sangeet. It is one of the most celebrated pre-wedding events within Punjabi and Gujarti weddings. 

            Traditionally, women of the family would get together with traditional instruments such as thedolaks or dhol and sing traditional songs. Most of these songs are more like riddles and poems, which mainly consist of teasing the bride about her wedding and her groom. Sometimes, there are also songs about the sorrow and sadness within the bride’s family for her leaving to her husband’s house. 

            However, nowadays the Lady Sangeetstyle has changed. Before, it would be a celebration that the bride’s family would have, but, now, both the bride’s side and the groom’s side has a Lady Sangeet function. Plus, nowadays it’s a huge pre-wedding party rather than a traditional celebration. Even in some familes, the bride and the groom’s family will celebrate this function together, so that the families can mix and meet each other before the wedding. In simpler words, if you want to go to a huge wedding celebration, this is the one for you!  

For more information, check out: https://www.culturalindia.net/weddings/wedding-rituals/sangeet-ceremony.html

The Choora Ceremony

Now, moving on from the Haldi Ceremony comes the next step; the Choora ceremony. Choora generally means bangles, so, yes, it’s the Bangles Ceremony. Now, this is a huge tradition and function in Punjabi weddings, but, throughout the years, it has also spread into most Hindu weddings. 

            The concept of the Choora is, actually, very simple. The bride wears a set of red and white bangles, and there are usually twenty-one bangles on each arm. Traditionally, these bangles are made of ivory and are worn by the bride on her wedding day. 

            Before the bride wears her Choora, the bangles are washed in milk and water as auspicious sign or as a sign of blessings for the bride. Traditionally, the bride receives her Choora set from her maternal uncle and aunt, and her brothers (or cousin brothers) are the ones who put on the bangle set on her. Nowadays, after their wedding, brides will only keep on about 7-11 bangles on each arm for about a month and half (or anywhere near 40 days); whereas, before, brides would wear their Choora for a year. Then on the 1^stanniversary of the bride and groom, the bride’s in-laws would host a ceremony to have the bride take off her Choora. 

            I know it might sound like a ridiculous ceremony, but, traditionally, it was meant as a sign of the bride leaving her maternal home and settling into her in-laws. Through this, the Choora was a sign that the woman was a newly-wed bride. In the end, these traditions are still carried on and most brides get that feeling of excitement while wearing their Choora. Of course, wouldn’t we all get excited to keep on celebrating and partying for our wedding?   

More on the Choora Ceremony: http://billiejipunjabiweddings.com/blog/35-the-chura-ceremony   

The Haldi Ceremony

           Now, let’s jump right into the first function of an Indian wedding! In many Indian cultures, especially the Punjabi and Hindu cultures, the Haldiceremony is the beginning part to every big Indian wedding. 

           

            The word Haldi actually means turmeric, so, yes, it is basically a turmeric ceremony. Now the reason it’s called the haldi ceremony is because there is a paste that is made with turmeric, rose water, and a powder (usually its sandalwood or chickpea powder), and this paste is smeared on the bride and the groom from the members of their families. Usually, in tradition, the elder ladies of the house go first, and then everyone else can take turns putting haldipaste on the bride or groom. 

           

            I know you must be thinking, “Why? What’s the purpose?”. Well, it turns out that there is quite a lot of significance behind this tradition/ceremony. Firstly, it’s to keep off the evil eye from the bride and groom. Secondly, it’s a tradition for the elders of the families to bless the soon-to-be couple. But mostly, it’s also used as a form of purification. Once the bride or groom has completed the ceremony, they go shower and cleanse their bodies as a sign of getting ready for a new life. Also, turmeric is known to be extremely beneficial to the skin and body, so, of course, having a strong antiseptic that clears your skin before your wedding is never a bad thing!

For more information on a haldi ceremony: 

https://www.fullonwedding.com/significance-of-the-haldi-ceremony-in-indian-weddings/

             

Indian Weddings

BigFat Indian Weddings

Indian weddings are absolutely amazing! Now, they aren’t like typical weddings that only last about a day. We all know that planning for a wedding day is hard, but can you imagine all that work and effort that goes into a wedding for a week?! Indian weddings usually include a week of events and functions that lead up to the wedding day and the wedding reception. They are full of food, colors, entertainment, and, of course, dancing! These functions are so long that even I wonder how we make it through a whole week of events. Now, of course, for a week of events, you definitely need a new outfit for every function! 

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Why so many functions and events?”. Well, let me try to make your mind at ease. These functions are all occasions of auspicious events. They all contain traditions that are passed down from generation to generation, but, mostly, they are just reasons to bless the bride and groom to have a happy and prosperous life ahead. I guess you can say “the more blessings, the better” right?  

Also, here’s a little link that might answer some more of your questions:  https://www.theknot.com/content/hindu-wedding-guest-qa