Punjabi weddings are filled with fun, entertainment and madness. When it comes to Punjab, praiseworthy words and friendly hospitality come naturally to the tongue. I am sure people across the world who have visited Punjab, especially villages, must be inundated with many examples on its hospitality and what makes it so great is their big hearts. They are always fully charged and always ready for some fun activities.
Punjabis are simple yet fun-loving people who believe in expressing their emotion with gusto. Similar to their nature, their weddings reflect their life philosophy. Punjabi weddings are colorful, loud, sometimes over the top, fun filled with lots of opportunities for singing and dancing one’s heart out. Punjabi weddings may be simple or lavish, but they ensure unlimited fun and celebration. A host of pre and post wedding rituals make a Punjabi wedding a lengthy and enjoyable affair. Although, Punjabis do not miss an opportunity to make merry, their weddings display their propensity towards adhering to age old traditions, albeit with a conventional twist to them sometimes. From elaborate lehengas to the noisy baratis, the ‘dance till you drop’ Sangeet to the extremely friendly and warmly-welcoming host, a Punjabi wedding is akin to a true roller-coaster. Let’s take a look at the various wedding Rituals.
Following are the list of things that happen only in Punjabi weddings-
You will witness flying money–
In every Punjabi wedding you will see money being showered on the bride and the groom. You will see people throwing money while dancing.
Jaggo:
Held the night before the wedding, this family event is a loud celebration in front of the beautifully decorated house with music, firecrackers, dancing and sweets, late into the hours of the night. Copper vessels are decorated with lamps that are lit, and carried by the maternal aunt while another lady carrying a stick with bells shakes it. Singing folk songs, the family visits the houses of their friends and relatives, who feed them sweets and join in the revelries.
This tradition is often skipped out as per choice or convenience, especially in destination weddings.
On the morning of the wedding day, at their respective houses, the bride and the groom attend a puja. After completion of the puja the priest ties a sacred thread or mouli to their right wrists. The mouli is tied around a betel nut and a shell known as Kaudi. It is knotted multiple times around the wrists to make it difficult to untie later.
Kangna Bandhana:
The first ceremony of the wedding day, this event consists of a pooja, after which the priest ties a scared thread called ‘mouli’ with a betel nut and a shell around the couple’s right wrists. Meant as a symbol of good luck, it is not to be taken off, and only needs to unravel by itself eventually.
Sehra Bandi:
Once the groom dresses up in his wedding attire, a small puja is performed in his honor. The turban and the Sehra, which covers his face, is blessed by the priest and tied around his head by an elder male member of the family or his brother-in-law.
Milni:
The groom and the baraat are received at the wedding venue with a warm welcome by the bride’s family, with the mother receiving the groom with a traditional aarti and tikka. Then the groom’s relatives are embraced and welcomed by the bride’s corresponding relatives. For example, his maternal uncle is met by the bride’s maternal uncle and greeted, and so on and so forth, for Milni.
After the varmala, the couple proceed to the mandap, where the groom is offered a bowl of water to drink, after which he is given a special drink of curd, honey, milk, ghee and other sacred essences. This ritual is called madhuperk.
Mangal Phere:
The couple gets up for the phere. The ends of their drapes are tied together to signify their marital bond, after which they encircle the sacred fire four times as chants are read out, to symbolize their vows. The bride precedes the groom for three of them, and follows him for the last. The couple is considered to be married in the eyes of the fire goddess.
Lip-smacking food:
The Punjabis have always been known for their love of food. Any and every celebration is a culinary extravaganza, with an enviable spread of rich and delicious food. You will surely land in food heaven.
Unlimited Daaru:
Punjabi weddings can never be complete without some ‘daru sharu’. From uncles to aunties and even grannies, everyone loves their daaru , and an open bar is a definitive fixture in all celebrations.
Colour Bursts :
You will get to embrace the full spectrum of colours when it comes to attending a Punjabi wedding. It is undeniably going to be the most vibrant and colourful celebration of your life.