Complete Guide For Punjabi Weddings: Right From Rituals To Tradition

Punjabi weddings are more than just music, it’s full of colors, love, and delicious food, and how can we forget the Patiala Pegs right? The common perception that the world has is that Punjabi weddings are loud and extravagant, but we feel that Punjabi weddings are more expressive and detailing, every ritual is followed without fail. Punjabi weddings have all that is needed.

So, let’s hop into this fun ride where we’ll share with you a comprehensive guide on Punjabi wedding rituals. Let’s get started.
 

Pre-Wedding Rituals of Punjabi Wedding

• Roka Ceremony

The Roka ceremony is a pre-wedding ritual, this ceremony is all about committing and officially marking the union of the couple. The work Roka literally means to stop the bride and the groom from seeing any more prospective matches because their wedding is finalized. This day is celebrated by exchanging gifts.

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• Sagai (Engagement and Chunni Ceremony)

Engagement is a significant part of the Punjabi Wedding. Here, first, the girl is draped with a chunni (very decorative dupatta) this chunni is basically an heirloom passed down from generation to generation. This chunni is placed over the head of the bride and she is presented with jewelry, sweets, and gifts. Both the bride and groom exchange rings and congratulate each other by feeding sweets.

• Dholki (Sangeet)

This is a sangeet hosted by the bride and groom’s family respectively before wedding with just a few close members of the family is invited, dhols are played and folk Punjabi songs are sung to tease the bride and groom in a fun way. Book the best band for your wedding sangeet to make it more entertaining.

• Mehendi

This is the last and major pre-wedding function where Mehendi artists are called to the bride’s house to put Mehendi on the bride’s hands and feet along with the bride’s family members. The groom too puts on Mehendi as a part of a tradition. This Mehendi is beautifully decorated by her mother-in-law in a basket and will be sent to the bride’s house. And later the Mehendi ceremony continues to be a cocktail evening.

Read Also - Cocktail Dresses Must Try On Indian Weddings

Rituals At The Bride’s Home

• Mayian

The mayian ceremony includes the Punjabi wedding Chura ceremony, Vatna (Haldi) ceremony, the sangeet, and the Mehendi basically a mixture of all the functions a night before the wedding.

• Jaggo

In this ceremony, the bride’s family and groom’s family dance separately in the beautifully decorated house. Jaggo is celebrated in the last hours before the wedding and this function is a night long without any sleep, a lot of singing and dancing is involved in this ceremony.

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• Vatna (Haldi Ceremony)

Vatna is commonly known as the Haldi ceremony. Four lamps or Diya are lit and the bride sits facing them, Vatna involves applying a paste of turmeric powder and mustard oil all over the bride’s body by her mother, female friends, and relatives. This Ubtan is supposed to bring a glow to the bride’s face. And the same ritual is followed at the groom’s place.

• Chuda And Kalire Ceremony

Chuda is a set of red bangles that is given to the bride and the bride is not supposed to see the ceremony so her eyes will be closed. All the family members touch the Chuda turn by turn to bless the bride with all the happiness. And the bride’s family help her wearing the Chuda with Kalire and is covered from a cloth till the wedding.

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• Ghara Gharoli

This ceremony involves the bride’s sister-in-law visiting the nearest temple to fill a beautifully decorated clay pot (Gharoli) with the holy water and bringing this to the bride, then the bride has to take bath from this holy water right after her Vatna and then the bride starts getting ready for the wedding.

Rituals At The Groom’s Home

• Sarbala

Sarbala is a ceremony where a small kid is accompanied by the groom, he is called Sarbalal Shabbala and he is the caretaker of the groom. He’ll be sticking around to the groom all the time and even sits with him on the mare.

• Sehra

The Sehrabandi ceremony is performed by the groom’s sister who ties the sehra after the groom’s ready with his wedding attire. A small pooja is performed to ward off all the evil.

Rituals At The Punjabi Wedding

• Milni

Milni is all about meeting and introduction, Ardas is performed by the person in charge followed by formal introductions of senior men in the families. And here even cash and clothes are gifted to the relatives.

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• Anand Karaj

Anand Karaj is the main Sikh Punjabi Wedding ceremony which just takes place in the Gurudwara ideally. The Anand Karaj starts with an Ardas again and then the bride and the groom sit down in front of the holy book and touch the floor with their forehead to worship. The best and the ideal time for the wedding in Gurudwara will be in the morning before 12pm which marks the new beginning.

• Phere

The bride and the groom after getting married take the phera of the holy book Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Baba Ji). Four pheres the couple takes around the sacred holy book.

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Rituals After Wedding  

• Vidai

Vidai marks the departure of the bride from her parent’s house. As the custom the bride will throw puffed rice over her head, this ritual conveys her good wishes and prosperity for her parents. The bride and her family gets emotional here.

• Post-wedding Game  

These games are played at grooms house to cheer the bride and make her comfortable at her new place. There are many games but one interesting game will be played with a bowl of milk and rose petals in it and with a ring, whoever finds the ring first is believed to be ruling the house.

• Reception

The reception ceremony is hosted by the groom’s family where they officially introduce the newly wed couple to their social circle. This is a formal celebration where guests are invited who was not able to attend the wedding.

Image Courtesy: Biyani Photography

• Pag Phere

Once the wedding is completed the brother of the bride comes to pick her from her in-law’s place and takes her back to her parent’s place. She spends the night and then again the brother drops her back. This gesture signifies that the bride is still welcomed to her house.

Now this joy ride is complete and hope you enjoyed reading about Punjabi wedding tradition and rituals held at wedding. Are you excited to attend the next Punjabi wedding? Just get ready and have fun!

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