Indian weddings are known for their grand colorful celebration and the elaborate ceremonies. There are many pre-wedding customs and rituals that begin well before the main wedding day. One of the important ceremonies that start all the other wedding preparations is the engagement ceremony. This gives you a glimpse of the rituals and customs. The engagement symbolizes a commitment to get married. The rituals and customs of engagement vary from region to region.

The engagement ceremony is a pre-wedding ceremony in which the bride and the groom exchange rings with each other. It is carried out at the brides place or in a banquet hall. The rings exchanged denote a sacred bondage. The families from both the sides come together on this day. The would-be bride and groom are then blessed by the family members. The groom is presented some gifts, clothes and sweets by the bride’s parents. Gifts are exchanged between the groom’s and the bride’s family as well. The groom and the bride exchange sweets with each other. They are then introduced to the members of the family.

In some parts engagement ceremony is called mangni while in some other it is called ashirwad. Some simply call it the ring ceremony. Different names don’t change the importance of the ceremony. Sometimes the wedding date is also fixed on his day.

Nowadays, people arrange dance and music at the engagement ceremony. Even bands and DJ are called upon for the function.