Marwari wedding is well known as grand and elaborate affair. They have rich cultural, social gathering and colorful festivies. It expands over a period of days. Marwari wedding holds the ancient customs and traditions. Marwari wedding is full of rituals and their society is believed to be financially very sound. Marwari marriages are very customary and rather royal in look and appeal. Marwari wedding starts with the pre wedding rituals. Marwari wedding rituals can be divided into three parts.
Pre wedding rituals Wedding day rituals Post wedding day rituals
Pre wedding rituals
Engagement (tika): Marwari wedding starts with the ceremony of ‘engagement’ (sagaai). This ceremony takes place at the bride or groom’s home. This ceremony attended by the very close family members, relatives and by the close friends. The ladies of bride’s home do not take part in the ceremony of ‘tilak’. The tika applies on groom forhead by bride’s father or brother.
Pithi dastoor: ‘Pithi dastoor’ is the ceremony consists of application of sandal and turmeric paste to the bride and groom. After application of turmeric, bride and groom cannot leave the house. It’s most important ceremony in which bride’s wear the orange Rajasthani dresses.
Mehfils: ‘Mehfil’ is an important part of marwari wedding. Mehfil ceremony usually helds in the evening. Mehfil organized separately for gents and ladies. Woman wears a dazzling dress. They gathered in a hall and perform ‘ghoomer’. Men enjoy their own mehfil where singer performed.
Janev: In this ceremony groom worn the orange cloth and havan performed by him. After completing the havan, groom pretends to go to become frugal.
Palla dastoor: Palla dastoor is the ceremony which performed on the day of wedding or the day before wedding. Palla dastoor is the ritual consists of jewelry, cloths and some gifts for the bride from the groom. Bride wore all the jewelry and clothes on the wedding ceremony.
Nikasi : Nikasi is an important ceremony. In marwari wedding groom wears a pagadi which tied up by jija(sister’s husband). The groom wears ‘pecha’,’ kalgi’ and tani. A sehra of pearl or flower tied up on pagdi. In this ceremony brother’s wife applies kajaal in groom’s eyes. The groom’s visit to the temple before reaching the bride’s home.
Jai mala: 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. After jaimala bride and groom take to mandap where other rituals will take place.
Wedding ceremony
Granthi bandhan: Granthi bandhan is tying the knot. This ceremony is the symbol of two individuals. From this day they become one entity.
Paanigrahan: paanigrahan is the ceremony in which groom holds the bride’s hand in his hand. This ceremony signifies that they together in good or bad moments of the life.
Pheras: Bride and groom come in the front of holy fire. They go around the sacred fire. In marwadi wedding couple takes only four pheras in the mandap and rest of the pheras they performed at the entrance.
Ashwahrohan: Ashwahrohan ceremony is the symbol of facing every challenges with daring in your life. In this ceremony bride put her foot in to grinding stone. After this brother of the bride puts 'kheel' or puffed rice in the bride's hand, which are received to the groom's hand and then offered to the fire. This ritual shows happiness and wishes of prosperity for his sister and her husband.
vamang sthapana: vamang sthapana is known as the ceremony of sindurdaan. Groom wishes the bride to sit on his left side. This signifies that the groom is accepting the bride and is establishing her in his heart. This is followed by sindurdaan ceremony wherein the groom fills the bride's centre hair parting with sindoor or vermillion. Sindoor is a symbol of married women.
Aanjhala bharai: In this ceremony father-in –law puts full bag money in the bride’s lap. Bride distributes a part of money to sister-in-law and her husband. After that all the elders bless them.
Bidaai: Bidaai is the tearful goodbye to her parents, relatives and well wishers. At the time of bidaai a coconut placed under the wheel of car before bride lifts her veil. Bride boards a beautifully decorated car with her husband towards her new home signaling the start of a new life.
Post wedding rituals They have only few post wedding rituals in marwadi wedding.
Grihpravesh: Grihpravesh is the ceremony when groom and bride come together after wedding. Bride warmly greeted by groom’s family in their home.
Pagelagni: Pagelani is followed by ‘Grihpravesh. Pagelani is the ceremony where all the members introduced to the new bride and they present her gifts.
