India is equipped with the people of different religion yet it is one of the most colorful country. Different people, different tastes, preferences and different traditions. When we talk about a wedding in which beauty, culture and fun exists then only west bengal occupied our mind. Those of you who have had the good fortune of witnessing a Bengali wedding from the start to the end would surely agree that it is a visual delight. Bengali wedding is a combo of traditional customs with a touch of modernity.
These weddings are full of color and vivacity. Through it we can see reunion of family members and old friends. New relations are made and old ones get strengthened. In a way, a marriage signifies the beginning of a new journey not just for the couple but for the entire clan. A Bengali wedding includes many rituals and ceremonies that can span several days. In most cases, it starts with the Kabin ceremony (the official registration of the wedding and presenting Denmohor or Mahr) and ends with the Bou Bhat ceremony (the wedding reception, a day after the marriage, usually arranged by the groom’s family). Though the rituals differ with the various districts of Bengal, among Hindus, it is usually classified into two: the Ghoti and Bangal rituals. Wedding comes with so much fun, food and remarkable moments. Get the tips to make the most out of your wedding from here.
Pre-Wedding rituals- A bengali wedding took a month span as it has loads of rituals.
Aashirvad
This is a ceremony where the bride and the groom are formally accepted by their respective in-laws and elders from the two families assemble to shower their blessings on the bride and the groom.
Ai Budo Bhaat
This is the concept of bridal shower or bachelor party associated with Christian weddings. Usually friends, neighbors and close relatives assemble at the house of the bride or the groom on the day before the solemn marriage ceremony is to take place. Nowadays even bengali’s have adopted the mehandi and sangeet in bridal shower ceremony.It is full of fun and joy.
Dodhi Mangal
This is held at the dawn of the wedding day. The family members and close relatives of the bride/groom move in a procession to a nearby waterbody(preferably River Ganges) where they fill a pitcher with water and return. This water would later be used during the snan ritual.
The would-be couple is then fed curd, rice flakes, banana and sweets at their respective homes and they are expected to fast after this meal until their wedding is solemnized. Usually, the mother or an elderly married relative feeds the bride or the groom.
Tattva, Gae Holud and Snan
On the morning of the wedding, both the families dispatch gifts called tattva to the other. Members from the groom’s family bring a new saree to be worn by the bride during ‘gae holud’. They also bring oil, a big, decorated carp or rohu fish, personal grooming and toiletry products, sweetmeats and other edibles. A lot of attention is paid to the number and decoration of the ‘tattva’. Basically bride and groom got extra care and pampering through their in-laws Isn’t it lovely. Don’t forget to capture those lovely moments Top 12 best wedding photographers in Delhi.
Wedding Ritual
Bor Jatri and Bor Baran
Bengali Hindu weddings have a specific time frame which is considered most auspicious and the wedding ceremony takes place within that period. It is called the lagna. In it the groom leaves for the wedding venue with his family, friends and relatives. This group is called the ‘bor jatri’ or ‘barat’. At the entrance of the venue, the mother of the bride and other elders of the family wait to receive the group then she anoints the groom with tilak from the baran dala and does an aarti before welcoming him.
Saat Paak (on pidi) and Subho Drishti
The bride enters the ‘mandap’ where the groom is already seated along with the priests. But the uniqueness of this ceremony lies in the fact that the bride seats on a wooden stool called a pidi. Her brothers and close male relatives then lift the bride seated on the pidi and carry her around the groom, who is seated in front of the wedding pyre, seven times in a row. This is the most amazing and giggling part of bengali wedding where groom is literally trying to see her lady but couldn’t, the bride covers her eyes with a pair of betel leaves. Only after the saat paak is complete will the bride take the betel leaves off her eyes. Shortly afterwards, in the presence of the elders of the two families, the bride sets her eyes on those of the groom and their eyes meet amidst the blowing of conch shells and ululation. This is known as subho drishti. Then afterwards Mala Badal or Varmala ceremony is being done. Hire the best florist for your wedding.
Sampradan
An elderly member of the bride’s extended family hands over the bride to the groom. Their hands are tied by a sacred thread and the hands will stay in bounds till the end of rituals. This ceremony is called sampradan or more specifically kanya sampradan.
Yagya and Saat Paak (on foot)
The bride and groom tie the knot called gathbandhan for the Saat Pheras/Saat Paak, and go around the pyre seven times. The ‘uttariya’ worn by the groom and the end of the saree worn by the bride. After saat paak, kusumdinge and sindoor daan is being done. Sindoor daan or Maan bharai is basically a ritual where the groom puts a vermilion mark on bride’s forhead and uses a new saree to cover her head.
Wedding Attire and jewelry
Red is the color that Bengali’s love and flaunt it on every special occasion. The Bengali brides wear red, maroon, pink color saree on their wedding day. How to buy the wedding dress: Keep 9 things in mind!. The banarasi silk in widely used and is common and most popular. The traditional saree is generally in white with red or maroon or pink border and the jewelry consists Nath, Jhumko, Bala-Kaan bala, Taira, Tikli, Paati Haar, Chur/ Ratanchur. Get the perfect Jewelry for your dream day from here. Whereas the groom arrives in traditional Bengali attire of pleated dhoti and kurta. Click here to get the perfect look for your dream day (Makeup and hairstyle).
Food
Bengal is famous for its beautiful culture and for its food too. Here is the essential food without a wedding is incomplete. Shingara, Paturi, Doi Maachh, Maachher Muro Diye Muger Dal, Begun Bhaja, Prawn Malai Curry, Fish Kalia and Mishti Pulao, Desi chicken biryani, Mishti doi, Sandesh and Rosogulla and Get the best caterer for your dream day through this link.
Get ready for your dream day and celebrate it with the beauty of bengal’s tradition and culture. So much fun and enjoyment you will gonna have but don’t forget to hire a wedding planner for your perfect wedding.
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