India is a country with vivid cultures and diverse values. A lot of events take place across the country everyday which adds more color to its vibrancy. One of the most fascinating events of the country is the Indian wedding.
Indian wedding is never a one day affair. Infact it is a series of enthralling functions lined up till the D-Day.
Since India is a hub of various cultures, one can witness various kinds of weddings with their own unique rituals in the country.
Though every Indian wedding is special in its own way, but nothing can beat a Punjabi wedding for as we all know “Punjabiaan di battery charge rehndi hai”.
So here I bring you some of the unique rituals of a Punjabi wedding which makes it all the more vibrant and vivacious.
Vatna
Vatna is a ceremony of applying haldi over the groom and bride's body in their respective houses.
This ceremony is held a day before the wedding. The bride/groom is made to sit over a wodden plank under a phulkari (embroidered dupatta) held by four people.
The relatives and friends apply haldi paste to the bride/groom and also sing songs.
Chooda
The Chooda refers to the red white bangles that are also the trademark of the Punjabi wedding. Bride's maternal uncle plays an important role in the ceremony as he makes the girl wear the chooda after dipping each bangle in the milk. The ceremony usually happens an evening before the wedding day.
Jaago
This ceremony takes place in the late hours before the wedding day. The rituals are performed by the maternal side of the bride/groom. The maternal aunt (mami) of the bride/groom carries a decorated copper vessel on her head which is decorated with diyas. The other lady holds a stick decorated with bells and keeps shaking it along with dancing and singing traditional songs. The jaago is welcomed by the neighbors with sweets and fireworks.
Kalgi Sajana
Kalgi Sajana is also known as sehra bandi. In this ceremony the sisters of the groom, ties kalgi on the turban of the groom and also sings some traditional songs. After the klagi is tied, the relatives give gifts to the boy as a sign of good luck, after which the sister-in-law of the grrom (bhabhi) applies surma in the eyes of the groom.
Injdi
Injdi is a small ritual done before the baraat leaves for the venue. In this the sisters of the groom hold the corners of the palla worn by the groom as he walks out of the house and climbs the horse for going to the wedding venue.
Lavan Phere
Unlike the saath pheras in the Hindu custom, the Punjabi wedding comprises of four pheras known as the lavan phere.
The laavaan phere take place in the Gurudwara, infornt of Guru Granth Sahib Ji and is known as Anand Karaj.
During the Anand Karaj, the four hymns of “laav” are sung by the Granthi of the Gurudwara as the bride and the groom take four rounds walking around Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Pani Vaarna
Paani Vaarna is done after the doli along with the newly wed couple reaches the boy's residence. The mother-in-law of the bride welcomes the newly wed couple. In this ceremony the mother-in-law has a glass of milk and water mixed into it which she circles five times around the couple.
After every circle the mother-in-law tries to drink it, the groom stops her and let her drink in the fifth turn.
This is done to ward off the evil eye, and as the symbol of acceptance and welcome of the new couple.
