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Perfect Punjabi wedding
Elaborate and over-the-top
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Sangeet: Musical get together by the ladies of the families
'Sangeet' is usually held after the 'mehendi' ceremony and is more of a ladies function, when all the ladies and unmarried girls from both sides congregate to have fun and frolic by dancing and singing traditional wedding songs.
Ghodi Sajana: Decorating the mare
In most Punjabi weddings, the groom travels to the bride's home mounted on a mare. The mare or 'ghodi' is traditionally decorated for this wedding procession. The mare's hair is plaited with sacred thread or 'mouli' and the groom's sisters feed her with Bengal gram, which has been soaked in water the night before.
The groom's sisters are given a 'shagun' in the form of money for their efforts! The groom's sister-in-law applies 'kajal' or kohl in the groom's eyes, before he departs for the bride's home
Sehra Bandhi: Tying the traditional headdress on the groom
Just before the groom can mount the mare - married ladies from his family tie the 'pagadi' or turban, the 'sehra' or floral veil, which covers the groom's face, put 'shagun' in his 'jholi' or lap and bless the groom. The 'shagun' usually consists of a red 'dupatta', dried coconut and dried dates or 'chuaare'. Then the groom's nephew or 'sarbala' as he is referred to, mounts the mare along with the groom and the two are ready to leave for the wedding procession.
Agwaani: Receiving the groom's procession or 'baraat'
The bride's family receives the 'baraat' at the entrance of the bride's home.
Milni: Welcoming the groom's 'baraat'
This is probably the first time that all the relatives from both families are seeing each other and the 'milni' is to help them get acquainted. It is very typical for each relative to embrace his counterpart - grooms and bride's fathers, maternal uncles (mamas) and paternal uncles (chachas), in the other family at least 3 times each. Throughout the 'milni' the groom and the 'sarbala' remain mounted on the mare. Once all the relatives have greeted each other, the bride's brother and / or another male relative help the groom off the mare.
The groom is then escorted to the threshold of the house and the bride's mother performs the 'Aarti' (traditional Indian welcome ritual with a lamp or 'diya' placed on a platter or 'thali') to welcome her son-in-law.
Jaimala: Exchange of garlands
After the bride's mother has performed the 'Aarti' for her son-in-law, the bride is escorted to the threshold to welcome her beau in the traditional manner by garlanding him. The groom in turn garlands his bride. This exchange of garlands is known as the 'jaimala'.
Madhuperk:
Once the bride and groom have entered the 'mandap' the Vedic rites begin, the first one being the 'madhuperk'. The bride gives the groom water three times. The first time he sprinkles it in his feet, the second time he sprinkles it all over his body and the third time he drinks the water. 'Madhuperk' is a mixture of curds, 'ghee' or clarified butter and honey. The groom sprinkles a little bit of this in all directions and then eats it three times.
Kanyadaan: Giving away the bride
The bride's parents offer their daughter's hand in marriage to the groom and he accepts it.
Havan: Lighting the sacred fire
To invoke the blessings of 'Agni' or the God of Fire, the 'pujari' lights a sacred fire or 'havan' to the chanting of Vedic mantras. There are two types of 'havans' - the 'sadharan' (ordinary) or 'vishesh' (special). The 'vishesh' havan is the chanting of mantras and praying to all the 'Divyashaktis' or forms of God. The main 'prarthana' or prayer during the lighting of the 'havan' is the 'prarthana' of 'grahast jivan' (married life).
Pani Grahan Sanskar: The groom vows to look after his wife
The groom stands up and takes his bride's hand in his and chants mantras, promising to look after her till her old age and keep her happy at all times. He accepts her as his 'poshya' (meaning that he will provide for all her needs). The bride and groom now take one 'parikrama' (circumvention) around the fire.
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