Wedding is an agreement between two persons in a bride and groom. Muslim wedding has always come with uniqueness and tradition. The ritual of Muslim wedding usually extends five days. Muslim wedding can be held in any convenient time because there is no concept of favorable time. Muslim wedding is famous for the best in inviting the guest. This wedding is characterized by colors and enthusiasm. There are number of ritual in wedding which gives the chance of entertainment to their relatives and guest. Muslim wedding is known as ‘Nikaah’. This wedding also consists of many rituals like the other wedding. The Nikaah takes place in the existence of ‘maulvi’. Muslim wedding holds at the bride or groom’s house. Muslim wedding is also divided into three parts.
Pre-Wedding Rituals Wedding Day Rituals Post wedding Rituals
Pre wedding Rituals
Lagan chir: Legan chir is the ceremony of fixing the date of marriage. After finalizing the date of marriage groom’s father gives some cash and presents to the bride’s father.
Mangani (Nizbat): It’s the formal engagement ceremony which takes place at the bride’s home. This ceremony is the confirmation of marriage from both the family, where bride and groom exchange their rings.
Manjha: Manjha is the ceremony where bride seated on small square tool and anointed with turmeric which provided by groom’s family. A married friend of bride spreads the haldi all over the body. The bride’s wear yellow clothes.
Mehendi: This ceremony takes place at the bride’s home a day before of wedding or on the evening of wedding ceremony. Henna (Mehendi) is applied on the hands and foots of the bride. This ceremony gives the feeling of festivals. The bride’s wear her best dress.
Sanchaq: This is the ceremony in which some jewelry and clothes sent by the groom’s family for the occasion of nikaah. Jewelry is consisting of Nuth, Tika, Ring, garland, suhag pura and dried fruits and sweets.
Wedding Day Rituals
Baraat: Baraat is the main attraction of the wedding day. The groom’s arrives at the wedding venue with some of the relatives and close friends. The groom’s enjoy a glass of sherbet with bride’s brother.
Nikaah: Nikaah is the actual ceremony of wedding. This ceremony takes place at the groom or bride’s home. The wedding ceremony is performed by the Muslim priest ‘Qazi’. Qazi assign two members to be eyewitness to the order of marriage from the bride’s family. The nikaah is read by maulvi in the presence of groom and bride’s father. Mehar is an amount which given by groom’s family to the bride. Maulvi reads the verses of ‘Quran’ in front of bride and groom. The wedding is solemnized after the acceptance of the word ‘Kubool’. After the wedding ceremony newly weds couples receives the good wishes and blessing by their elders and relatives.
Post Wedding Rituals
Rukhsat: Rukhsat is a time of farewell. The bride’s leaves her father’s home. The bride’s father gives her hand to her husband for taking care of her and protect from all the enemies.
Welcoming of bride: This is the ceremony after wedding when bride and groom come together. The groom’s mother follows some traditional rituals. She holds the holy Quran above the head of newly daughter-in-law. After that she enters in her new home.
Chowthi: This is the day when bride visit to her parent’s home after the fourth day of her wedding. The bride receives an amazing welcome on this day.
Valimah: Valimah is a reception party which is given by the groom’s family. It’s a grand party in groom’s home after the wedding. This is the memorable occasion in bride and groom’s life. It’s a happy moment which brings together two families, relatives and friends.
