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The elaborate and sparkly Marwari wedding rituals are full of showcasing expenses, but the real glory is their ritualistic way of celebrating love and traditions. Every wedding ritual of the Marwari custom depicts the involvement of a Royal Vibe in it.
From the inception to the end, the unique Marwari wedding seems like a string of traditions embellished with vivid emotions. The typical Marwari wedding customs flaunt glimpses of the rich heritage and culture of Rajasthan destination weddings. A range of cultural celebrations is categorized into three separate parts that are recognized as – Pre-wedding, wedding day, and post-wedding rituals of a grandiose Marwari wedding.
So you are most welcomed to a lavish Marwari wedding through this informative article!
Pre-wedding Rituals of a Vibrant Marwari Wedding
Roka Ceremony –
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The pre-wedding rituals in a Marwari wedding kick off with the Roka ceremony. Akin to the North Indian wedding culture, the parents of the soon-to-be bride and groom meet each other along with the boy and girl. The parents put Tilak on the foreheads of the boy and girl and exchange gifts and sweets. The parents and other elders congratulate each other and bless the newly united couple.
Check this also Punjabi Wedding Rituals
Sagai or Mudha – Tika ceremony –
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Though it sounds similar to the engagement or ring exchange ceremony, Sagai in Marwari wedding culture is wholly different. This traditional pre-wedding event takes place at the groom’s home where all the male members of the bride’s side arrive and the brother of the bride applies Rice & Kumkum tika on the groom’s forehead. The females do not take part in this ritual. But these days the couple exchanges the rings as well and females take part in this ceremony.
Check this also Gujrati Wedding Rituals
Byaah Hath –
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Before the 5, 7, 11 or 21 days of D-day, the married women and neighbors of the bride and groom visit their homes. They sing Mangal Geets and prepare sweet edibles from lentils and Jaggery. These are recognized as Mangodi and utilized during the wedding days. All women bless the boy and girl and indicate the inception of wedding festivities and shopping. Byaah Hath occurs at the home of the Bride and Groom separately.
Check this also Sikh Wedding Rituals
Bhaat Nyotna & Bhaat Bharna –
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Bhaat Nyotna is an official invitation provided by the mother of the bride and groom to the family members and relatives of the Maternal Side. Usually, the mother of the bride and groom hosts this ritualistic pre-wedding ceremony. After this, the Bhaat Bharna ritual takes place in which all invited relatives shower love on the mother through expensive gifts and clothes.
Check this also The Manipuri Wedding Rituals
Nandi Ganesh Puja –
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The Marwari families where the wedding is impending, host a Nandi Ganesh Puja and also worship the family deities. This ritual signifies a heartful prayer offering to Lord Ganesha regarding obstacle-free wedding rituals. This ritual includes only the close family members of the bride and groom. In many families, it is symbolized as Ganpati Sthapna.
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Raatri Jaga –
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To ward off any evil intentions the entire family of the bride and groom stay awake during the whole night. They make the holy signs of Swastika and Om on the walls of sacred wedding homes. Family members pray for a hassle-free wedding experience on this night. The ancestors of the bride and groom are also evoked to bless the solemnized couple for the wedding. This ritual is performed on the night before the wedding day.
Check this also Kashmiri Rituals Hindu Pandit Weddings
Pitthi Dastoor –
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In the Marwari wedding customs, the Haldi ceremony is recognized by another name Pitthi Dastoor. This wedding ritual is a women-centric festivity in both homes where the bride/groom sits on an embellished stage and all women apply a paste consisting of Besan, Turmeric, Sandalwood and water on their turn. All women create a gleeful environment by singing traditional Marwari songs and enjoying Dhol. When all the members are done with their turn, the bride/ groom bath with the water that is brought by the women from a nearby water body. After this ritual, the bride and groom can not go out of their homes till the wedding day.
Check this also Wedding rituals in Bihar
Telbaan –
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Right after the Pitthi Dastoor or Haldi ceremony, the bride and groom are offered a ritualistic bath of mustard oil and curd. Then they are offered Jaggery sweets and Ghungra by the family members and the Maternal uncle shower his immense love on the bride and groom by giving Shagun (cash). This signifies a good luck charm for them regarding their wedding.
Check this also Bengali Wedding Rituals
Mehfil –
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Quite similar to the Ladies’ Sangeet of north Indian wedding culture, Mehfil is celebrated on the evening one or two days before the Big day of the lucky couple. All the women gather separately and enjoy singing, dancing and other fun activities. On the flip, all male family members and relatives come together and celebrate the grand wedding festivity in their way. This celebration continued till late at night. No male or female interferes in each other’s celebrations but only the groom is allowed to take part in women’s celebrations or the Mehfil ritual. You can say it is a traditional bachelor’s party of a Marwari wedding.
Check this also Buddhist Wedding Rituals
Mehandi ceremony –
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An auspicious token for the bride in the Marwari wedding, the Mehndi ceremony is celebrated with great pomp and fanfare by the entire girl gang of the bride. The professional mehandi artists are hired by the family who draw the intricate designs on the palms, hands and feet of the bride along with other females of the family. A similar ritual is performed at the Groom’s place also. During this fun and exciting wedding ritual, all the members drench in merriment through dancing and singing the peppy songs of Bollywood and folk ones.
Check this also Nepali Wedding Rituals
Mahira Dastoor –
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The maternal aunt and uncle of the bride and groom hold great significance in the Marwari wedding festivities. They offer gifts, clothes, cash and sweets to the bride and groom for showing their love and reverence towards them. As a returning favor, the mothers of the bride and groom serve a traditional home-cooked meal and convey “Thank you” for attending the ritual and providing valuable gifts. This ritual also conveys the love and respect of a brother toward his sister even after her wedding
Check this also Pagan Wedding Rituals
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Palla Dastoor –
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This essential pre-wedding ritual of the Marwari traditions requires the visit of the groom’s family at the bride’s place. They present the wedding costume, matching accessories or jewelry, sweets and other gifts to their soon-to-be daughter-in-law. It is anticipated that the bride will adorn herself with this wedding stuff on her big day. The bride sits in front of all the family members while this ritual occurs.
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Janeu –
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On the eve of the Marwari wedding, the groom participates in a religious event that includes Hawan and Puja. The priest offers a sacred thread to the groom and asks him to wear it on one shoulder crossing his upper body part. During this ritualistic event, he wears a saffron cloth. This ritual symbolizes the transformation of the groom’s Brahmacharya Ashram phase into the Grahasth Ashram phase. With this ritual, he starts understanding the significance and responsibilities of married life and family.
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Series of the intrinsic Wedding Day rituals of a gorgeous & grand Marwari Wedding
Thamb Puja –
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To build a strong foundation between the bride and groom’s families, the priest of the groom’s side performs this unique ritual at the bride’s place. The family priest of the groom’s side arrives at the bride’s home and offers a Puja to the strongly built pillars. Worshiping the pillars signifies strengthening the foundation of both families. Now he performs a Hawan at the created pit and after the completion of Hawan Puja, he directs to feed 11 Brahman the traditional food and give him Dakshina (token money).
Another unique Marwari wedding ritual is Gharva, which includes the worshiping of Goddess Parvati. The idol of Devi Parvati is decked up with sacred and new clothes and jewelry. These clothes and jewelry are offered by the groom’s family.
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Korath and Ganpati Puja –
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A traditional way to invite the priest and his family of the groom’s side by all the male members of the bride’s family is known as Korath in a Marwari wedding. All close male members of the bride’s side and the family priest visit the home of the groom. They invite their priest to the sacred wedding mandap and the groom’s family offers gifts, food and Dakshina to the priest of the Bride’s family.
Korath is followed by a Ganpati puja at the groom’s home. This intimate event includes the prayer of the groom right before he departs for the wedding venue. Also known as the Mandap ceremony, this ritual is designed for offering prayers for a hassle-free wedding.
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Nikaasi –
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This Marwari wedding ritual is related to the sister and brother-in-law (sister’s husband) of the groom who is all set to embark on the journey of reaching the wedding venue. She ties a beautiful Sehera made up of pearl strings, zari danglers or flower strings, on his head and a golden thread on the mare on which the groom is going to mount. Now the sister-in-law (Bhabhi) of the groom applies Kajal in his eyes to ward off the evil energies. The mare is also decked up in beautiful attire and she is fed with an auspicious mixture of lentils, rice, sugar, ghee and jaggery.
Check this also Iyengar Wedding Rituals
Baraat –
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The captivating procession of the groom with his all-male companions is called baraat. The well-dressed groom royally sits on the mare and keeps a sword that depicts the rich culture, heritage and royalty of Marwar. The procession (Baraat) reaches the wedding venue or the location where the bride’s family is waiting. During the Baraat, all members dance, sing and enjoy the wedding day of the groom.
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Toran –
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Another small yet unique Marwari wedding ritual that the groom performs just before arriving at the wedding venue is – touching a neem tree or its branch with the stick. It is believed that this action prevents the auspicious occasion from any evil eyes. Now he also touches the Toran (a beautiful entrance arch) before entering.
Check this also Kannada Wedding Rituals
Baraat Dhukav and Aarti –
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As the Baraat reaches the wedding venue, the bride’s family welcomes it. Especially the mother of the bride performs some traditional welcome activities for her would-be son-in-law. She puts a tilak on his head, performs an aarti and offers sweets and water to the groom. Now the baraat enters the sacred wedding venue.
Check this also Hindu Wedding Rituals
Jaimala –
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The groom head towards the pious wedding mandap and shortly after it, the bride glorifies the wedding mandap with her auspicious presence. She puts seven Suhalis( a unique snack item) over the groom’s head and then both the lucky persons exchange the exquisite floral garlands.
GranthiBandhan or GanthBandhan –
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Tying the corner of the bride’s veil or odhani with the waistcloth of the groom is Granthibandhan or Ganthbandhan in the Marwari wedding. The knot is placed on the shoulder of the groom and it signifies the holy union of two souls during the entire wedding celebration.
Kanyadaan & Paanigrahan-
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Similar to other Hindu wedding cultures, Kanyadaan is an integral part of a Marwari wedding ceremony. First, the father of the Bride tells about his family and asks cordially the groom whether he will accept his daughter and take care of her. The groom accepts it and the father puts the hand of the bride on the groom’s hand. A similar question is asked to the bride, whether she accepts it and the surname of the groom’s family. After nodding positively by both sides, a sacred thread is tied to the hands of both bride and groom. Kanyadaan is quite a sensitive and emotional moment in a Marwari wedding as the parents give their daughter to another family. The acceptance by both sides and tying of the sacred thread is called Paanigrahan in a Marwari wedding culture. The couple promises to stay stringent in all thick and thin of their lives.
Check this also Baniya /Agarwal wedding rituals
Phere –
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Sealing the union with seven sacred rounds together around the holy fire is Phere or Phera ritual in a Marwari wedding. In the first three pheras the bride leads the groom and in the rest four pheras she follows her groom. They also recite the seven sacred vows after the priest and promise to company each other forever without any separation. In the end, the priest asks them to seek blessings from the fire (Agni Devta) for a happy married life.
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Aswaroham-
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The bride put her foot on a grindstone and pushes it forward with a gentle force. This ritual is performed seven times and it signifies the confrontation of each hardship with courage and determination by the bride. Here the groom holds the hand of the bride which depicts he will accompany her wife during all difficult situations. The bride also touches mehandi paste after every time she pushes the grindstone.
Check this also Jain Wedding Rituals
Saptapadi –
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Now the bride and groom are called husband and wife. They together take seven steps and it shows the inception of their wedded life as a husband and wife or life partners.
Vamang Sthapna –
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This custom is performed by the bride, groom and the brother of the bride. Bride’s brother give puffed rice to the couple and then they offer it to the sacred fire or Agni. After this, the bride sits on the left side of the groom which shows her acceptance as the groom’s wife by his family. The offering of puffed rice to the fire is performed thrice by the couple.
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Sindoor daan /Seerguthi / Sumangalika –
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A platter full of rice, sweets, jaggery, moong daal and cash is offered to the Bride for initiating the Sindoor daan ritual. Now the sister of the groom comes forward and does a partition of the bride’s hair. The groom fills the vermillion (Sindoor) in it. The couple faces toward the north star during this auspicious ritual. The mother of the bride places a Nath (accessory for the nose) in the lap of the bride and expects that she will wear it after completing the Hawan & Puja.
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Anjhala Bharai –
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An exceptional wedding ritual of Marwari culture is offering a bag full of cash to the bride by her father-in-law. She presents her skill of dealing with money in a Marwari or Baniya wedding by equally distributing the money among her all sisters-in-law and her husband. This is also a way of welcoming the new bride to a Marwari family by handing over the responsibility of taking care of finances in the home.
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Pahrawani –
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This ritual shows respect and love towards the new son-in-law of the bride’s family. He is asked to sit on a new cloth and then all the relatives and family members shower love through valuable gifts, clothes and jewelry etc. The bride also performs a small yet significant puja at the threshold of her father’s home. It symbolizes her exit after the wedding. She breaks an earthen lamp placed on the threshold at the end of the Pahravani ritual.
Check this also Sindhi Wedding Rituals
Juta Chupai / Juta Churai –
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Just like any other north Indian wedding ceremony, the Marwari wedding celebration feels bland without the hilarious negotiation of the Juta Chupai ritual. All the sisters-in-law of the groom steal his wedding footwear when he is busy performing other rituals. When he asks them to return, the girl gang asks hefty cash amount in return for it. On the groom’s side, people request them to curtail their demand and after a long funny conversation, they reach a fixed amount. This ritual adds a wide curve of smiling on the faces of everyone.
Check this also Muslim/Islamic Wedding Rituals
Sir Gutthi & Sajjan Goth –
Image source: Rajasthan Online
After spending a long time in the wedding rituals and celebration of love in a traditional way, the elder female of the bride’s side combs her hair and freshens her up by washing her face.
Image source: Wedding Sutra
Now the entire bride’s family arranges a traditional and delectable meal for the groom’s family. This meal includes the rich cuisines of Marwari culture like Daal, Baati, Churma, Ker Sangri, Gatte ki sabzi and many other sumptuous edibles. The family members of the bride’s side offer Shank Jalebi to their counterpart relative of the groom’s family. It shows a sweet start between both families.
Check this also Marathi Wedding Rituals
Jua Khelai –
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This fun ritual assesses the compatibility of the newly wedded couple by involving them in many games. The ritual takes place at the Bride’s home right before the Vidaai. Teasing each other, giving challenges to the opposite sides and then celebrating the win in small funny games is all about the Jua Khelai ritual in a Marwari wedding festivity.
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Vidaai –
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After giggling a lot during the fun rituals of the Marwari wedding, it comes an emotional time for Vidaai. But before leaving a Thali Puja is performed at the kitchen of Bride’s home. She is offered a dried Coconut filled with coins and sugar and later she will give it to her mother-in-law. Both bride and groom seek blessings and permission of leaving the wedding venue and head toward the groom’s house. The bride’s family sheds tears as she is leaving them now. A coconut is also broken beside the wheel of the car which is carrying the new couple to a new home.
Check this also Telugu Wedding Rituals
Post-wedding Marwari Wedding Rituals
Griha Pravesh –
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When the bride arrives at her in-law’s home for the very first time with her husband, everyone embraces and welcomes her with love. Her mother-in-law performs aarti and then she enters the home. A tray filled with a mixture of milk and vermillion is placed at the threshold of the home. The new bride puts her feet first in the tray and takes five steps with her colored feet in the home. Now she gently kicks a pot filled with rice and coin which fell on the floor. This indicates the arrival of prosperity and fertility of the couple.
To make the welcome of the bride worth memorable, the sisters-in-law of the bride guard the entrance and ask for some money or gifts to grant the entry to couple. The bride touches ghee and jaggery first as good luck. The couple lights a lamp also in the temple of the home together.
Check this also Punjabi Wedding Rituals
Page Lagani –
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After welcoming the new bride into her husband’s home, she is introduced to every relative and family member. She touches the feet of elders and greets the younger ones for seeking their blessings.
Mooh Dikhai –
Image source: Marwar India Magazine
Another bride and females centric post wedding ritual of a Marwari wedding ceremony is Lifting the veil of the Bride and admiring her beauty. The females give her token money (Shagun) or close members give her jewelry also. This ritual is performed one by one by all the women.
Check this also Gujrati Wedding Rituals
Chooda –
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Bangles are an ominous indication of a bride and her married life. The mother-in-law of the bride gifts her a set of Lac and Ivory Chuuda. Traditional brides in Marwari culture wear them for a complete year without breaking them. The breakage of this sacred chuuda signifies a bad omen for the bride.
Check this also Sikh Wedding Rituals
Pag Phera –
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After two or three days of the wedding, the bride visits her paternal home with her husband. They receive a grand welcome from all the family members of the bride. The cousins of the bride crack light jokes with their brother-in-law and tease him lovingly. All spend quality time while having a meal together and after some time the bride leaves for her new home. She and her husband also receive several gifts while leaving the home. It symbolizes that the bride will always be loved and cared for by her paternal home.
Check this also The Manipuri Wedding Rituals
