East Indian Wedding

India is a land of diversities and this can be witnessed in every sector including religion, food and culture but it is prominently visible in wedding ceremonies. Weddings in India build a festive environment and mark the celebration of the union of two souls. It involves fun, excitement and lots of Indian traditions and customs. We will come across different styles of weddings each having their own appearance and rituals.

East Indian weddings have many similarities with the Hindu weddings. They undergo almost the same rituals and customs that are carried out in Hindu weddings. East Indian weddings have a blend of traditions from Orissa, West Bengal, Assam and some NorthEastern states as well. There are certain similarities between the rituals followed in all these states. Rituals of kanyadaan, saatpheras, vidaai, hymns recited by the priest etc. are common in all East Indian weddings.

The groom is welcomed by the bride’s family. The groom and his family members are greeted with fresh flowers. Baran Dala is a ceremony carried out by the elder women’s from the bride’s house. It involves touching the Baran Dala on the forehead of the groom and then touching it on the ground. This is done to bless the groom. A ritual called Shubho Drishti is performed when the bride and the groom first sees each other.

This is followed by the Mala Badal ceremony where the flower garlands are exchanged by the bride and the groom. There are a series of rituals that take place including the Saat Paak, Sampradhan. On the completion of these rituals the bride and the groom are considered married. Post marriage ceremonies like the Basar Ghar and the Bashi Biye are carried out at the groom’s place. The Bou Baran ritual is performed to welcome the newly wedded couple. In the Bou Bhat ceremony, the bride serves her in-laws and has her first meal with them.

Assamese weddings are simple with not much glamor involved in it. They include ritual like the bathing custom. The reception party is organized before the actual wedding. The guests are served food consisting meat and fish. There are some ceremonies that add an element of fun and excitement to the wedding. The groom has to pay a huge amount to the bride’s sister to enter the house.

Weddings in Orissa are almost a replica of Hindu marriages. There are some customs that are different. The main distinguishable factor between the two is that in the Oriya wedding the groom’s mother is not allowed to participate in the wedding ceremonies.

The customs and rituals followed in these states may be different but they all aim to unite two souls.