Punjabi weddings are well-known for its colorful and lively nature. It is one of the most enjoyable Indian weddings that one would witness. What make them so interesting is the varied rituals and customs associated with it.

Rituals and customs form the base of every Indian wedding. Punjabi wedding are not an exception. They involve many rituals and customs.  The wedding rituals last for about a week. Loud music and rhythms of the dholak, energetic dancers, amazing fireworks, lavish cuisines, colorful lifestyle and the fun-loving Punjabi’s all this defines a Punjabi wedding.

The Punjabi wedding begins with some pre-wedding ceremonies. The pre-wedding ceremonies begin with the “Roka” ceremony. It marks the commitment from both the parties. This ceremony is carried out at the bride place and is followed by a small puja. The families then exchange gifts with each other. The bride and groom exchange rings with each other. This triggers the beginning of the wedding preparations and celebrations.

The Sagan and chunni chadana ritual is performed few days before the weddings. It is a simple ceremony and is organized at the bride’s or the groom’s house. A havan is conducted by the priest. The bride father applies tilak on the groom’s forehead and presents him gifts and sweets. The bride is presented a red chunni and some jewelry by her sister-in-law. The bride is fed boiled rice and milk by her mother-in-law.

The major attraction of Punjabi weddings is the sangeet and mehendi ceremony. It involves music and dance that adds fun and excitement to the event. Bhangras and Giddas make a Punjabi wedding more colorful. The sangeet ceremony is carried out both at the groom’s and the bride’s place. The Bride is adorned by applying mehendi on her palm and feet.

On the wedding day, the Bride is applied a paste of turmeric and mustard oil. It is believed to enhance her beauty. This ceremony is called vatan and is carried out separately at the Bride’s and the Groom’s place. Water is fetched from the nearby temple by a sibling and the sibling’s spouse for the Bride’s bath. This is known as the Ghara Ghardoli. The vatan and Ghara Ghardoli is carried out at the Groom’s place as well.

One of the most important pre-weddings is the “Chuda” ceremony. It marks the beginning of marriage. The maternal uncle of the bride plays a significant role for this ceremony. The bride’s oldest uncle and aunt fast until the completion of the entire ceremony. The priest performs a havan. After the havan, the chuda is touched and blessed by all the family members. Chuda is a set of red and ivory bangles. Her maternal uncle helps her with the chuda. An iron bangle with shells and beads is also worn as a symbol of good luck. The priest ties a mauli around the bride’s wrist. Flower petals are showered on the bride after the ceremony and Prasad is distributed to all. Kaliras is tied on the chuda by the bride’s maternal uncle, aunt, friends and relatives. The bride taps the Kaliras on her unwed female friends before her departure. It is a belief that the one who is tapped will be the next to get married.

The bride and the groom dress up in traditional attire. The Groom wears a turban on his head. A flower veil is tied onto the Groom’s turban by his father. It is called the shera. All the family members bless the Groom. This is called the Sehrabandi ceremony. The Groom is accompanied by his young nephew or cousin on his mare or in the car. The Groom’s sister-in-law lines his eye with surma and his sisters and cousin feed the mare. A ceremony known as Varna is performed to keep evil eye away. Cash is used for this ceremony and then it is given to the poor.

This is the last ceremony that is carried out at the Groom’s house. The Groom then proceeds with the baraat towards the wedding venue. At the venue the Groom receives a warm welcome from his in-laws. The Bride’s family garlands the groom and his close relatives and offer them gifts. This is called the Milni ceremony. After the “Milni” ceremony, the bride and the groom exchange garlands. Other wedding rituals include the puja, pheras and kanyadaan. The last ceremony on the wedding day is the Bridal departure or vidaai. While departing from her parental house the Bride throws puffed rice over her head. She then heads towards her new life.

When the Bride arrives in her new house she receives a grand welcome by her in-laws. Her mother-in-law pours mustard oil on both sides of the entrance and then performs a traditional aarti. The couple is then welcomed into the house. The bride is formally introduced to all the family members. The groom’s family arranges a lavish reception party for the couple. The couple visits the Bride’s parents on the next day.