Wedding Rituals In Gujarati Community

By Author: Ankush Singhal
Total Articles: 173
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Weddings in India have always been grand and ostentatious affairs which include celebrations and grandiose. Marriage is the best and the most important time in the lives of individuals, and is an institution that holds not only two people, but also two families together and work as the best and the most suitable occasion to uphold familial and cultural traditions of the family. The union of the bride and groom are celebrated by the families, friend and other relatives, and perform rituals and customs that are always fun filled and touchy at the same time.

The Gujarati culture is very colorful and vibrant, and at the same time very simple too. The Gujarati matrimony follow the simplest form of rituals and respect the culture and traditions that have been followed by their forefathers. The wedding ceremonies include vibrant and colourful clothing, beautiful dances like Garba, and grand ambience.

Below are some of rituals performed in Gujarati matrimonial:

1. Mandap muhurt and Griha shanti – These rituals are performed ...
... at the bride's and the bridegroom's homes separately. These rituals are performed to remove the bad omen and negative spirits, and bring prosperity to the newly married couple. At this time, the wedding date and time is decided by the family priest.

2. Garba - Gujarati community is known worldwide for their love towards the Garba dance. It is a tradition in the Gujaratis to play Garba with their family and friends. The Garba is played not just for a single day, but days before the wedding night. During the Garba, the families of both bride and groom meet together and Dandiya is performed with Dandiya sticks, on the beats of wedding songs and popular movie songs. After the Garba and Dandiya nights, some serious wedding rituals start.

3. Pithi – This ritual is performed at the home of both bride and groom, where they are applied with a paste of turmeric and essential oils, and that is believed to add glow to the skin.

4. Ponkvu – On the wedding day, the groom and the wedding procession is welcomed by the mother of the bride and other female family members to the bride’s home.

5. Jaimala – It is the time when the bride and groom are formally introduced and the bride and groom then exchange garlands, amidst the family and friends.

6. Madhuparka – Here the groom’s feet are washed and he is given honey and milk.

7. Kanya agamana – It is the formal wedding time, when the bride is brought to the Mandapam by her maternal uncle. A curtain is kept between the bride and groom, and is slowly lowered to start the matrimony rituals.

8. The main wedding: It involves Kanyadaan, Hasthamilap, Mangalphere and Saptapadi, which are performed amidst the chanting of Sanskrit hymns and mantras by the priest. Al the wedding rituals are performed in front of the sacred fire and the bride and groom make seven vows to each other take seven steps together around the holy fire and are declared as husband and wife.