Indian weddings experience many variations in the wedding ceremonies. Every religion has different styles of performing their wedding. Marwari wedding are very glamorous and colorful. They are carried out in the state of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is known for its royalty and lavish nature. The same thing is reflected in their weddings as well. Marwari weddings are royal and majestic in nature.

Marwari’s are strongly rooted with their culture. Their weddings involve elaborate customs and rituals that are spread across many days. The wedding involves three important phases mainly the pre, post and the wedding day. Wedding is considered complete only after these rituals are successfully carried out.

Marwari wedding rituals commence with the engagement ceremony. This marks the beginning of a new relationship between two individuals and two families. The engagement ceremony is carried out at the groom’s house. The bride’s father applies Tilak on the groom’s forehead and offers him gifts. A havan is held by both the families where the idol of Lord Ganesha is worshipped. The Pithi Dastoor ceremony is carried out couple of days before the wedding. A paste of turmeric and sandalwood is applied to the bride and the groom. They are then not supposed to leave the house until the wedding day. Music and dance makes the event more colorful. The traditional Rajasthani dance Ghoomar is a night filled with fun. Mahira Dastoor is an important part of the Marwari weddings. The maternal uncle of both the bride and the groom presents them gifts. This is an old custom and is still followed in Marwari weddings.

On the wedding eve a sacred thread is given to the groom. This symbolizes that the groom accepts all the wedding responsibilities. The groom’s family presents the bride her wedding outfit and jewelry that she is supposed to wear during the wedding. This is called the Palla Dastoor. Tying the groom’s sehra and the baraat are the last rituals that are carried out before the wedding.

On the wedding day the baraat is welcomed by the bride’s family. The bride’s mother welcomes the groom by performing a traditional aarti. The bride and the groom exchange garlands with each other. This is then followed by other rituals that are carried out in the mandap. The first ritual that is the Granthi Bandan is carried out where the bride’s chunni is tied to the cloth attached to the groom’s waistband. This binds the bride and the groom together. The paanigrahan is the next ceremony that is carried out. The groom holds the bride’s hand and takes seven rounds around the sacred fire. As per the traditional Marwari custom, four pheras were taken in the mandap and the remaining three on the entrance after the varmala ceremony. The bride places her foot on the grinding stone and the groom offers puffed rice in the sacred fire. This completes the Ashwahrohan ceremony. Sindhurdaan is the next ceremony that is carried out. Here the groom applies sindoor to the bride. This symbolizes that she is now a married women. During the Saptapadi ceremony, the bride and the groom exchange vows with each other. The couple is then blessed by all the members of the family.

Weddings rituals continues even after the wedding. Certain post-wedding rituals are carried out when the couple arrives home. The bride is welcomed with open arms by her in-laws. Rituals like Grihapravash and Pagelagani are then carried out.