Punjabi wedding traditions
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Punjabi wedding traditions and ceremonies are traditionally conducted in Punjabi While the actual religious marriage ceremony among Hindus ,Sikhs , Muslims , Jains , Christians may be conducted in Sanskrit , Punjabi ,Arabic ,and Even english by the Pundit , Kazi ,Granthi or Priest .
There are commonalities in ritual , song , dance , food , dress , and there are unique differences stemming from religion ,ethnic , regional ,caste or tribal affinities .
The Punjabi wedding has many rituals and ceremonys that have evolved since traditional times .
[edit] Important wedding songs
Songs of the bridegroom s side
Mangane di geet: sung at the time of engagement
Maneve de gaon :songs sung to welcome the bridegroom
Gharouli de geet:sung for the gharoult or dowry
Chounki charanvele de geet :songs sung when the bridegroom sits on the chounki wooden bathing seat
Sohhle:songs of happiness and joy
Ghoriyaan :sung at the time of riding to the bride s house
Sehra :sung at the time of tying the bridegrooms flower-veil
Kangana: sung when the bride and bridegroom enter the house together for the first time .
Songs of the bride s side
Suhag:sung by the bride in praise of her parents and the happy days of her childhood and in anticipation of happy days ahead .
Jaggo:procession song to call the neighbours to the wedding .
Churra charan vele da geet : sung when the chura , ceremonial bangles . are worn by the bride .
Janj :sung when the janj , marriage procession , is to be greeted .
Milni : sung at the ritual introduction of the two sides .
Ghenne de geet :sung when the bride is adorned with jewels .
Siftan: song in praise of the bridegroom
Chhandh:evolved from poetry , songs of joy .
Sitthniyan (crude , teasing songs )
Song sung when the bridegroom s procession is being welcomed .
Song sung when the wari , or gifts from the bridegrooms side , are being exhibited .
Song sung when the groom s party sits down to the meal .
Song sung when the daaj , dowry or the bridal gifts , are being displayed .
Others
Lavaan : sung at the time of the actual wedding ritual .
Mahinya :sung when the girl is preparing for the wedding and is bathed by the women at home .It goes for both men and women .
Vedi de geet : sung while erecting the marriage pandal .
Khatt: sung at the time the maternal grandparents present gifts to the bride on an overturned tokra , or basket .
Pani vaarna :welcoming the bride to her new home .
Bidaigi:sung when the bride is being sent off in the doli .
Ghughrian : sung when the doli arrives at the groom s house .
Shahana:sung by mirasis in praise of the bridegroom .
Til Methre :sung while welcoming the bride and orienting her to the family .
Pattal :song sung before meal .
[edit] Wedding rituals
Pre-Wedding Rituals:
Rokka:
Mangni:
Kudmai:
Sagan :
Chunni Chadana:
Sangeet:Can be one day or many days .
Mehandi:
Rituals Observed on Wedding Day:
Chuda Ceremony: This ceremony is performed by the maternal uncle and aunt (mama - mami) of the bride. The chuda which is a set of red and cream ivory bangles are touched by all present to signify their blessings and good wishes for the bride. The girl's maternal uncle and aunt, friends and cousins tie kaliras (silver, gold or gold plated traditional ornaments that are tied to the chuda). Before departing for her husband's home, the bride must tap one of her unwed female friends or cousins with her kaliras. According to popular belief, the one who is tapped thus will be the next one to marry.
Ghara Ghardoli
Vatna: This ritual demands that the bride-to-be stay at home in her old clothes for a couple of days before her wedding. Before her bath, vatna (a paste of powdered turmeric and mustard oil) is applied on her body by female relatives and friends. Both, the ghara ghardoli and the vatna ceremonies are also performed for the groom at his house. Here the decorated pitcher of water (ghadoli) is brought for his bath by his bhabi (elder brother's wife).
Sarbala: A young nephew or cousin also dons similar attire. He is called the sarbala (caretaker of the groom) and accompanies him .
Sehrabandi: His sehra or turban is blessed by his relatives.
Ghodi,
Varna: The groom's bhabi lines his eyes with surma (kohl). After this, the groom's sisters and cousins feed and decorate his mare. varna, a ceremony that is supposed to ward off the evil eye. The cash is given away to the poor.
Milni:
Wedding Rituals
Jaimala:
Kanyadaan:
Pheras:
Anandkarah :
Nikah:
Walima:
Juta chhupai. This is when the girl's young relatives grab the groom's untended shoes and hide it away to be returned after the ceremony for a fee which is Kalecharis of gold for the bride's sisters and of silver for her cousins. This joyful custom is called juta chhupai.
'Post-Wedding Rituals:
Vidaai: Vidaai marks the departure of the bride from her parental house. As a custom, the bride throws phulian or puffed rice over her head. The ritual conveys her good wishes for her parents. The bride is accompanied by her brother'S. Her relatives throw coins in the wake of this procession.
Rituals Observed at the Groom's House:
Pani bharna. The groom's mother performs the traditional aarti with a pitcher of water. She makes seven attempts to drink the water from the pitcher. The groom must allow her to succeed only at the seventh attempt. The bride must, with her right foot, kick the mustard oil that is put on the sides of the entrance door before she enters the house.
Phera Dalna: the newly weds visit the bride's parents on the day after the wedding. They are usually fetched by the bride's brother.
[edit] Overall
Everyone participating is fare game for leg pulling including the mother-in -law , priests , the boy , and all relatives . An over doze of food and liquor dhol music and mirth generally prevades
