Punjabi Wedding

Traditions of Punjabi Weddings

Punjabi weddings are known for their rich cultural heritage, vibrant colors, and joyous celebrations. These weddings are a beautiful blend of age-old traditions and modern elements, making them a grand affair. From Roka and Thaka to Doli and Vidaai, here's a glimpse into the beautiful traditions of Punjabi weddings.

Roka and Thaka

Roka and Thaka are significant pre-wedding ceremonies in Punjabi culture. Roka signifies that the bride and groom are in an alliance, and both families exchange gifts, sweets, and savories. Thaka is the engagement ceremony where the couple is showered with gifts and shagun, officially marking their engagement. 

Mehendi Ceremony

The bride's hands and feet are adorned with intricate henna designs, often customized to her preferences. Women and girls of all ages, married and unmarried, also participate in this joyous event. It takes place in both the bride's and groom's houses, with their own set of guests, creating a lively and colorful atmosphere.

Chhodha Chadana

Chhodha Chadana is a significant pre-wedding ceremony in Punjabi weddings. It involves a havan participated by the bride's family members. This ritual has a sacred fire lit wherein offerings such as ghee, fruits, and flowers are made to the fire while chanting Vedic mantras and prayers. The maternal uncle and his wife gift the bride a set of 21 bangles purified in milk and rose petals. The uncle then puts them on for his niece, but they are covered with white cloth as the bride is not supposed to see these to avoid bad luck. The bride adorns these bangles for a month post her wedding, adding a traditional touch to her new life.

Haldi Ceremony

The Haldi Ceremony is a joyous and colorful pre-wedding ritual in Indian weddings. It takes place one day earlier or on the morning of the wedding and may occur separately at the bride's and groom's homes or be combined. The women apply a mix of rosewater, turmeric, sandalwood, and mustard oil on the visible parts of the bride's and groom's bodies, symbolizing a cleansing and purification ritual. This ceremony is filled with merriment, dancing, and fun, creating beautiful memories for the couple and their families.

Turban Tying

On the wedding day, the groom's father or an older family member ties the turban around the groom's head, symbolizing honor and respect. Nowadays, professional turban-tying companies are available to create custom-made turbans. The groom is then presented with a sword, which he carries during all the wedding ceremonies. Finally, the groom's sister ties a Sehra, a beautiful curtain of golden ribbons, flowers, or pearls, around the turban, adding to the regal look of the groom. 

Soorma and Kalgi

In Soorma, the groom's sister-in-law applies a black dot of kohl or Surma on the side of his forehead, symbolizing protection from negative energy. In Kalgi, the groom's sister ties a beautiful piece of jewelry to his turban and demands gifts from him. The groom must present her with a gift before leaving for the wedding venue, adding to the fun and playful nature of the ceremony.

Barraat

Baraat is an exciting and grand procession at Punjabi weddings. Once both families are ready, they head to the Gurudwara for a grand procession called the Baraat. The groom will be with his family, cousins, and friends playing music, singing, and dancing. Although the bride is not in this event, her family and friends joyously receive the groom and his company.

Agwaani and Milni

The bride's family welcomes and receives the groom and his guests warmly. After this, every family member from the groom's side meets the corresponding members of the bride's side, creating a joyful and harmonious atmosphere. Although there may or may not be an exchange of gifts and sweets during this meeting, the ceremony symbolizes the unity and harmony of both families, setting the stage for a joyous and memorable wedding celebration.

Varmaala

Varmaala is a beautiful and simple ceremony at Indian weddings. The bride and groom exchange garlands, symbolizing their acceptance of each other and commencing the wedding rituals. Although short, this ceremony is significant and adds to the joyous atmosphere of the wedding celebrations.

Anand Karaj

Anand Karaj is a beautiful and significant ceremony in Punjabi and Sikh weddings, symbolizing a blissful union. The ceremony takes place at the Sikh Temple or Gurudwara, around the Holy Book. The groom enters along with his siblings and immediate family holding a rumalla as an offering, paying his respects, and sitting facing the holy book. The bride similarly enters and sits side by side facing the Guru Granth Sahib. The priest performs the Lavan stanzas, and after each stanza, the couple walks around the holy book in a clockwise direction, with the groom leading the bride. This process of circumambulation is repeated three more times after each Lavan, with the raagis singing hymns of Anand Sahib in the background. An ardaas is offered as an indication that the wedding ceremony is complete, adding to the sacred and joyous nature of the event.

Kanyadaan

Kanyadaan is a touching and sentimental ceremony at Indian weddings. The bride's father gives his daughter's hand to the hands of her groom, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility and care. He asks the groom to treat his daughter with love, care, attention, and respect, adding an emotional touch to the wedding celebrations.

Shagun

Shagun is a beautiful post-wedding ceremony in Indian weddings. After the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom remain seated, and their parents bless them, offering them money as a blessing. The guests also give the newlyweds with blessings and gifts. The priest concludes the ceremony by distributing Karah Prasad, a sacred dessert, to all the guests, adding a sweet and auspicious ending to the wedding celebrations.

Langar

Langar is a beautiful and inclusive community kitchen for Indian weddings. It is open to everyone and offers a delicious vegetarian meal. After the wedding ceremony, everyone gathers in the Langar hall to enjoy this meal, symbolizing the unity and harmony of all people, regardless of their differences.

Mangal Phere

The couple circles the sacred fire seven times, symbolizing their vows toward their married life. For the first three rounds, the bride leads, and for the remaining rounds, the groom takes over, with the priest reciting mantras. After completing it, the priest declares them married, adding to the sanctity and joy of the wedding celebrations.

Sindoor Daan

Sindoor Daan is a beautiful and symbolic ceremony in Indian weddings, marking the beginning of married life for the bride and groom. After the completion of the pheras, the groom anoints the forehead of the bride and fills her parting with vermillion. It signifies a lasting bond for the next seven lifetimes.

Vidaai or Doli

The doli marks the bride's departure from her family's home to begin a new life with her groom. The couple sits together in the living room surrounded by family and friends, and the bride's family gives them gifts and feeds them, Indian sweets. This ceremony signifies the end of one phase and the beginning of a new one.

Paani Varna

Paani Varna is a beautiful and auspicious ceremony in Indian weddings, marking the arrival of the newlywed couple at the groom's house. The groom's mother welcomes the couple by holding a garvi (bowl) filled with half water and half milk, moving it clockwise while the groom attempts to take a sip. After the seventh turn, she lets him drink it, blessing the newlyweds. She then welcomes the couple inside by pouring oil on either side of the doorstep.

Pag Phera

It is a post-wedding ceremony in Hindu weddings where the married the bride returns home for the first time after her marriage to ensure the best future for her parents. Considered a form of Goddess Lakshmi, the bride is believed to attract prosperity and good fortune. The ceremony involves the bride throwing rice behind her just before her Vidai, praying for abundance, happiness, and well-being for her mother's home. The mother collects the rice and keeps it as a symbol of blessings from Goddess Lakshmi, making the Pag Phera a revered ritual in Indian Hindu weddings.