A Gujarati wedding is synonymous with a vibrant folk tradition, rich cultural values and colorful festivities. Gujarat is a state steeped neck-deep in rich cultural and traditional values, and the gujarati people pride themselves in celebrating their festivals like Durga puja, navratri or dandiya in a grand way, much like the way they embrace their lives- full of joy and boundless energy. Not surprisingly then, when it comes to their wedding, all their rituals, ethnicity and customs are at their very best, bringing forth the inherent caste, religion, language, and customs, and merging them all into one glittering ceremony. Containing all the ingredients of a typical Indian wedding with which the foreigners like to characterize it, like the turban clad men and women’s in colorful attire, music, dance, customs and rituals, it certainly is one affair to remember for all those attending the extravaganza.

Gujarati wedding follows a set of symbolic sacred rituals laid down through the ages, providing a complete set of guideline for the bride and groom to follow, resulting in a happy and prosperous life. These grand weddings covers four to five days beginning with a prayer invoking Lord Ganesha's blessings, mehandi, sangeet mehfil and general gaiety, followed by pre-marriage, marriage and post marriage rituals. According to Gujarati beliefs, the bride becomes her husband’s Sahdharmacharini or equal after the marriage, and hence must share the responsibility and power that accompanies it. She must take care of the household and its requirements, while the Husband should hand over the household keys to her, as well as the salary at the beginning of every month! The basic idea is that both of them should follow the pursuit of a meaningful life together.

PRE-WEDDING RITUALS

POST WEDDING RITUALS

PRE-WEDDING RITUALS

Mandap Mahurat- A ceremony carried out by the ‘Acharya’ or priest in front of a sacred fire a few days before the wedding. Performed in both the Bride and Groom’s house, the prayer is dedicated to Lord Ganesha to ward off all evil elements and to seek his divine blessings.

Ghari Puja- This is the most important custom held simultaneously in the respective homes of the couple in the presence of their family members. A ‘mahurat’ is chosen for a prayer by matching the horoscope of the bride and groom with the objective of the prayer being to bring peace among the heavenly stars for a happy & prosperous marriage. The priest uses oil, coconut, turmeric, wheat and a number of other spices to conduct the prayer, after which the married ladies of the family grind the wheat- a ritual symbolizing a prosperous home.

This is followed by ‘bukhi’ in which both the bride and groom in their respective homes offers five kilos of wheat to the priest, which should be finished within 21 stipulated actions.

Jaan- In this interesting ritual, the groom arrives at the bride’s house to ask for the blessings of his in-laws. The groom must bow down his head before his mother-in –law to ask for her blessings, symbolizing the understanding of the sacrifice the bride is about to make, whilst the mother-in-law tries to clutch his nose, a gesture indicating that the groom will now have to take care of the in-laws as well. The groom, however, tries his level best not to get caught.

WEDDING RITUALS

Jaimala: In this ceremony, the Bride and Groom exchange garlands with each other. When the Bride’s turn to exchange garland comes, the groom’s friends tries to lift him up high above her, a gesture signifying that she cannot take him away from his friends and family even after marriage.

Kanyadan: The bride is given away to the groom’s family in Kanyadaan rityal, considered the biggest daan according to the Indian Scriptures. Parents of the bride abstain from eating anything till the ritual is competed to signify the purity of mind and body. They wash the groom’s feet, regarding him as equivalent of Lord Vishnu and their daughter as Goddess Lakshmi.

Hast milap: Hast milap literally means Joining of the Hands, though it symbolizes eternal joining of two souls. In this ceremony, the corner of the bride’s sari is tied to the groom’s scarf. Simultaneously, a thread is tied to the right hands of the couple signifying an eternal bond. Amidst the chanting of sacred mantras by the priest, and the showering of rose petals, rice and grains by the friends and family, the couple then prays for the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Parvathi.

Mangalpheras: In this ritual, the couple takes four circles around the sacred fire, each circle representing the four basics of life - Dharma (principles of holiness), Artha (goal), Kama (pleasure) and Moksha( liberation). The groom also chants the mantras along with the priests, signifying his earnest devotion towards the bride. After the mangalpheras, the couple seeks blessings of priests, family and elders.

Saptapadi: The saptapadi meaning ‘seven vows for married life’ consists of the couple taking seven rounds of the holy fire with seven Betel nuts placed before them. The groom helps the bride touch the nuts with her right toe, while reciting mantas at each round through which he makes seven requests to the bride like for taking good care of household, help in creating a loving atmosphere in the family, be an understanding partner etc. The bride on her part, promises to fulfill the requests.

POST-WEDDING RITUALS

Reception: A reception is held immediately after the wedding, hosted by the groom’s family where all the friends, families, and well wishers bless the newly wed couple, present them with gifts and wishes for their happy & prosperous married life. Later, a sumptuous meal is organized for the invitees.

Vidaai: The bride bids a tearful goodbye to her parents, siblings, relatives and well wishers in the Vidai ceremony and boards a beautifully decorated car with her husband towards her new home signaling the start of a new life.

Ghar nu Laxmi: This auspicious ritual is performed at the time of arrival of the couple at the groom’s house. The bride is considered equivalent of Goddess Lakshmi who will bring good fortune and wealth into the house and is asked to push gently a vessel filled with rice to spill some of it onto the floor.
This is followed by Aeki Beki, a ritual in which a ring along with several coins are placed inside a tray filled with vermilion, water and milk, with both the bride and groom trying to find the ring. It is said that whoever succeeds four out of seven times will rule the household.