Gujarati weddings are the paradigm of the grandeur Indian weddings where the rituals are followed according to Hindu scriptures. Usually, their weddings have a splendor of their own and have a lot of pomp and show. As we all know that Gujjus are extremely fun loving people and therefore, all the extended families and friends come together to celebrate.
Though the engagement/sagai ceremony and the post-wedding ceremonies are the two most events of Gujarati matrimony but today in this article we are going to tell you about the interesting rituals happen on the wedding day in Gujarati weddings.
Wedding day rituals Of Gujaratis
* Barat-On the wedding day the groom arrives on the horse dressed in a beautiful traditional attire to take away her bride with his family and friends surrounded by the traditional music of band.
* Ponkhana- The ritual indicates the welcoming of the groom by the bride’s family. In this ritual, all the family members and close relatives from bride’s side welcome the groom and his family. The bride’s mother performs aarti and pulls the groom playfully by grabbing his nose. Groom then step ahead by crushing earthen pots into small pieces which signify that groom has the power to overcome any obstacles in his married life and protect her bride from them.
* Ganesh Pooja- As every ritual in Hindu religion commences with Ganesh puja. Hence, after the arrival of Barat, the groom along with both the families offer prayer to Lord Ganesha as he is known as the Aradhya daivat or god of peace, happiness, and prosperity.
* Madhuparka- In this ritual, the bride’s father washes the groom’s feet with hiney, yogurt, and ghee, as the groom is considered as the avatar of Lord Vishnu. This is also the time when sister and cousins of bride steal the shoes and groom have to offer some money or gift as a bribe to take back his shoes.
* Kanya Agman- This ritual indicates the arrival of the bride on mandap with her maternal uncle or mama. As soon as the girl reaches the mandap, there is curtain(antarpath) that prevails between the bride and groom, which separates them from each other.
* Jaimla- In this ritual with the chanting of mangalashtak, the bride and groom exchange their garlands when the antarpath is pulled down.
* Kanya Daan- Alike, all other Indian weddings the ritual of Kanyadaan is same where the parents of the bride give her hands onto the groom hands.
* Varmala- In this ritual, the cord is tied around the neck of bride and groom and looped around 24 times by the elders of the family. This indicates the couple is safe from any negative energy or evil eye.
* Hasta Milap- Following the ritual of varmala, hastamilap took place, where the scarf wore by the groom, is tied to the dupatta of the bride which indicates the meeting of two souls. The petals of flowers and rice grains are showered on them during this ceremony.
* Mangal Pheras- Before commencing this ritual the bride’s brother puts some rice on the hands of bride and groom and tells them to pour it in hawan, followed with the bride and groom who then take 4 mangal pheras around the holy agni kund. Those mangal pheras signifies the promise of togetherness with prosperity, good health, blessings, love and loyalty. While performing the ritual, the priest subsequently recites holy mantras, after which the bride and groom run and sit on the chair. It is been said that whosoever sits first will rule the house for lifetime.
* Saptapadi- This is the ritual wherein the groom helps the bride to touch 7 betel nuts with her right toe, as and when she chants the seven mantra, followed by the groom who requests for her support for the lifetime in every situation.
* Sindoor Daan- This is that part of the ceremony where the groom puts a red sacred powder that is also known as sindoor on brides head. Followed with this the groom ties mangal sutra around her neck which symbolize that she is married now and belongs to him.
* Kansar-After Sindoor Daan, the couple feed sweets to each other and said congratulations to each other.
* Akhanda Saubhgywavati Bhav- AAfter all rituals, seven married women give blessing to the newly married couple, followed with these women, who then go on and bless the bride by saying akhanda saubhagyavati bhav, which means long live your husband for betterment and prosperity, forever.
* Ashirwad- Here, the newlywed couple take blessings from elders by touching their feet for their upcoming life.