Punjabi Wedding Culture and Traditions

Punjabis of India are known for their hospitality all over the world. These people are generally warm in their nature. Punjabi culture is known for its richness. Like the customs and traditions all over the world, the Punjabi culture is bestowed with lot of rituals and practices. It presents most colorful aspect of Indian culture. Sweet tongue of Punjabis often put them on top of the world.
Marriage in Punjab is often fixed by the parents. The traditional practices have been amended to cope up with the changing times. Love marriages are now days more accepted. Punjabis are generally broad minded people who have been accepting the marriage between the inter caste people.

The marriage means lots of excitement and thrill for the Punjabi people. Often lots of ceremonies are performed once boy and girl agree to marry each other.

First ceremony that takes place is the "roka". The boy and girl are given sweets and some money. This is particularly done to prevent the boy and girl families for further searching the prospective partners.

After this, engagement ceremony takes place. The bride is provided outfit by the groom's family. The traditional colors can be pink or red which are considered auspicious for the moment. Rings are exchanged between the boy and the girl.

Punjabi marriage consists of numerous ceremonies. "Chuda ceremony" is often associated with presenting of ivory bangles in cream and red colors to the bride by her maternal uncle. Eldest uncle and aunt keep fast till the whole ceremony is performed. Blessings are given and flowers are showered on the girl. Sweets are distributed.

"Kaliras" , ornaments in gold and silver color are tied around the girl's hands. After this, paste made of turmeric, oil and sandal is applied on the body of the bride by the female friends. This is done to enhance the beauty of bride.

After this, oil is put in the hairs of bride. After this "garholi" is performed. The water from some religious place is fetched and bride is bathed with it. "Varnas" are done to ward off the evil spirits.

In the evening, bride is decorated with jewels and flowers. She is dressed in her bridal attires with the make up. "Solheehn Singar" is done by her to look appealing on that particular evening.

On the other side, in the groom's house, "Sehara bandi" is performed by the elders. Sister in laws of the groom put kajal in the groom's eyes. Sisters feed the mare with gram pulse. After this, groom rides on the mare. The whole procession takes place toward's the bride's house where they are welcomed by sprinkling the rose water. The dance and music becomes the part of the whole celebration.

"Milni" is performed between both the parties. Garlands and gifts are given to the groom's family. Then goom is taken to the stage. He is joined by the bride. Both of them are taken to the site where Veda mantars are recited by the priest and they take rounds around the holy fire with tied to each other. Vows are taken by both of them and then bride's father gives her hand in the groom's hand. Both of them take the blessing of their elders to start a new life.

After this, "doli" takes place. It is departure of bride for the groom's house. When they reach the groom's house, his mother take a vessel containing water and try to drink it after rounded it from their heads but the groom will stop him. After a few rounds, she drinks the water. Newly weds are welcomed in the house and they played number of traditional games.