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Himachali Wedding Culture and Traditions

Himachal is the state in India which consists of beautiful mountains with lots of green vegetation. Green belt of Himachal Pradesh consists of palm trees, deodar trees and oak trees. Mountains range in Himachal consists of various small villages and tribes. Communities that live in Himachal Pradesh consist of different castes. The fragrance of air fills the mind with new lease of life.

Basically, every tribe has some rituals which have been based on the old age customs. The people of Himachal are very simple in their living. Away from the maddening crowd and pollution of the cities, people of the Himachal like to live a life which is full of vigor and vitality. Their love for nature is unmatched.

Marriage customs slightly differ from region to region. As boy and girl attains the age of marriage, the search for the suitable partner starts. Marriage within the same gotra is not considered good. When suitable partner is found, horoscopes are matched. Generally, priest is consulted to find a suitable date for the marriage.

Tikka is sent to the groom's house and they are invited on tea. In some tribal areas, Chaang, which is a rice wine, is exchanged. Songs are sung and relatives are invited to take part in the ceremony.

In the Kinnaur district, when the groom reaches the house of bride, bride and her family starts weeping and wailing. People in Kinnaur follow a system where all brothers share a wife. They rear the children as common father.

Bride and groom are carried in palanquins except in Lahaul. In Lahaul, when groom is about to take bride, her friends stop the way of the groom until he promises to take good care of the bride.

At the time of wedding, "Suhagi" jewelry is given to the bride by her maternal uncle and parents.

The groom's family displays their gifts and jewels for the bride to show their status. In some areas, groom is given "dhoti" and a ring and he is made sitted by the groom's brother at the place where marriage ceremony is to take place.

The groom and match maker are given wine cups. When the marriage party reaches back at the groom's home with the bride, they are welcomed by the people holding torches.

Goats are sacrificed and rituals are performed. Haven is performed and 'Kheer ; a special pudding of rice and milk is prepared by the newly wed couple and distributed to the relatives and friends.

The Bride performs puja to the family deities. Then she plays gunas with the groom and family members. Gunas are a kind of sweet balls which are prepared by flour and jaggery. They are also distributed among people who have gathered.

"Munh dikhai" is performed after this. The mother-in-law is the first on who looks at the bride?s face. She is given jewels and cash. Then other aunts and family members follow her.

Then the bride pays a visit to her parent's house. When she comes back to her in-laws house, the couple is welcomed by the butter and sweets.

Pair Bandai is another ceremony which is performed after marriage. Bride offers cash to the family member of the groom and touches his feet by hiding her hands in a sari and gets the blessings to be the loved one of her husband and produce sons.