The beauty of a Gujarati wedding

613
Gujarati
releaseMyAd

The energetic sounds of Dhol, Nagada, Turi, Taturi and Murli are the first that you would hear when you attend a Gujarati wedding. The sights are equally beautiful. Wedding guests who are decked for the wedlock flaunt their styles in colourful Bandhej, whirl along to the Garba music. The vibrant set of wedding traditions in a Gujrati wedding stand out with great pomp and splendour. So, let’s have a look at the top-notch rituals grabbing the charm of a Gujju wedding. 

  1. Chandlo Matli – Once a marriage is fixed, four male relatives accompany the bride’s father to the Gujarati groom’s home and shower him with blessings and a token gift. The main element of this ritual is the red circle of vermillion, known as Chandlo, drawn by the bride’s father on the groom’s forehead.
  2. Gol Dhana – It is formed from coriander seeds and jaggery marks that the Gujarati couple has been hitched to. This time, it’s the groom’s family which visits the bride’s family, bearing sweet and savoury gifts packed in Matli. Rings are then exchanged and the couple-to-be receive blessings from five married women.
  3. Mandap Mahurat – A priest or pandit is invited to perform a Puja at both the homes, seeking blessings from Lord Ganesha. He prays that God protects the Gujarati couple and their families from harm and ward off any possible obstacles that may hinder the couple’s path ahead.

    Gujarati
    Jeevansathi
  4. Griha Shanti – The priest performs a Griha Shanti Puja. This seeks God’s blessings over the couple for peace and happiness, their homes and all wedding-related tasks ahead.
  5. Mehendi – Held two days prior to the wedding, the Mehendi ceremony sees the womenfolk and the Gujarati bride don henna designs and spend some quality time together, with music, playful moments and stories.
  6. Sangeet Sandhya – This is powered by energetic performances with Raas, Dandiya and Garba on traditional celebratory tunes. Nowadays, wedding dance performances on Bollywood songs and folk music make it a stellar night indeed.
  7. Pithi – Warm hues of sunny yellow fill the room with joy and the aroma of sandalwood and rosewater from the Haldi paste fills the air. The Haldi paste is applied on the hands and feet of the Gujarati bride and groom. 
  8. Mosalu or Mameru – A day before the wedding, the groom’s maternal uncles, Mama and Mosa, visit the bride’s house carrying presents for her. Traditionally, these gifts include her bridal outfit. Also, a Paanetar saree, bridal jewellery sets and bridal chura, along with sweets and dry fruits.
  9. Varghodo – The groom arrives at the bride’s house on a horse and then arrives a dancing procession led by his family members and friends.
  10. Ponkvu – The bride’s mother welcomes the groom with Aarti and Tilak. After this, she playfully pulls his nose while he tries to evade.
  11.  Jaimala – The bride and groom exchange floral garlands twice. As they formally meet each other for the first time on their wedding day. 
  12. Madhuparka – The bride’s mother leads the groom to the Mandap where she washes his feet with milk and water. She then offers him Panchamrut, a drink made from the goodness of ghee, honey, sugar, milk and yogurt. 
  13. Kanya Daan – The father of the bride washes the groom’s feet. He washes with milk and water, after which he gives his daughter’s hand to him.
  14. Hasta Milap – The priest then unites the two by knotting. He ties the groom’s shawl with one end of the bride’s saree while chanting verses from sacred scriptures.
  15. Mangal Pheras – The bride and the groom circle around the sacred fire four times. Each with its own special meaning and commitment – Dharma, Artham, Kama, Moksha.
  16. Saptapadi and Sindoor – The bride and the groom recite their sacred vows. They also touch a straight line of seven betel nuts with their toes. After that, the groom applies Sindoor on her bride’s hair parting and ties a Mangalsutra around her neck. The wedding ceremony comes to an end with the newlywed touching their elder’s feet seeking their blessings.

ALSO READ: The charisma of a Konkani wedding