Indian wedding celebrations are known for their vibrant traditions and ritualistic practices that each community follows without fail. Haryanvi wedding is one such Indian wedding ceremony that helps you understand the age-old Vedic Aryan traditions. Haryanvi marriage is a grand affair that begins at least a month before the actual wedding day. When it comes to Haryanvi wedding celebrations, the Jat community’s marriage celebration stands out with its colorful and eventful traditions.
How does the Jat community celebrate their marriage events?
As said previously, the Jats celebrate their wedding ceremonies as per the ancient Vedic rituals, which have evolved over time. Because associated with Vedic rituals, the Jat weddings are full of exuberance that you should not miss.
Now, let us take a tour of the varied cultural celebrations during Haryanvi wedding celebrations.
1. Sagai
Sagai is the formal engagement ceremony where the elders from both families make decisions regarding the marriage ceremony. Sweets and gifts are also exchanged during this ceremony, where families of both the bride and the groom attend.
2. Wearing Aguthi
This ritual also happens during the engagement ritual. The groom and his family members visit the bride’s house with an engagement ring that the couple exchanged in the family’s presence. In fact, this ritual marks the formal contract of marriage.
3. Bhat Nutana
One month before the actual marriage date, the maternal uncles of the bride and the groom are invited to make their presence for the marriage ceremony. And this ritual is termed as Bhaat Nutana.
4. Ban Benihana
Haryanvi weddings are highly religious, and hence special prayer sessions and poojas are held as part of the wedding rituals. In his ritual, the bride and groom’s families offer their prayers to Lord Ganesha for the marriage to occur peacefully. It is believed that Lord Ganesha will destroy all the barriers.
5. Pithi Lagana
Like the Haldi ceremony, this one is a special opportunity for the Haryanvi Jat bride, where she gets smeared with a paste made of grounded barley, turmeric, and ghee.
6. Banori
Once the Ganesh Puja is over, the bride and the groom will have a feast at the priest’s house. They are not meant to have food in their respective homes.
7. Ratika
This is, in reality, a musical night with lots of fun and exciting activities. This ritual is conducted on the night before the wedding day. All the family members will be awaken, and they sing songs and have fun. This is a real celebration where the bride and groom and their friends and relations sing, dance, and offer prayer to the family deities.
8. Mehndi Lagana
Before the wedding, mehndi is applied on the hands and feet of the bride, and this ritual is known as Mehndi Lagana in the Haryanvi wedding. During this occasion, close relatives and friends of the bride will mark their presence by applying henna on her. A skilled Mehndi artist is also hired to create wonderful Mehndi designs.
9. Khichai
In this ritual, all the bride’s close relatives and the villagers crowd the groom’s house. A grand feast made of rice and lentils is served to them. This is an important tradition observed in Haryanvi wedding celebrations.
10. Chak Pooja
Jats worship potter’s wheel before any auspicious occasion, especially during wedding celebrations. Chak Pooja is also held before the marriage.
11. Western Drain
On the wedding day, the groom leaves his home for the wedding venue in the form of a procession. This is known as Western Drain. Before leaving, elders from his family placed a ceremonial tilak on his forehead. The procession will have the relatives of the groom dancing and singing ritual songs.
1. Chawal Chahana
Before the wedding, rice is offered to the deities for the marriage to happen auspiciously. This is done in every Haryanvi marriage, especially at Jat weddings. This ritual also is a symbol of prosperity.
2. Seeha
In this ritual, the groom is greeted at the entrance of the wedding venue. The bride’s family gives her a warm welcome.
3. Torana
While the groom reaches the venue after receiving a warm welcome, a symbol representing triumph is placed on the door. The groom, with his sword, touches the emblem and enters the venue.
4. Varmala
The groom sits at the pavilion and is showered with flowers. The bride then enters, and they exchange garlands, popularly known as Varmala. This ritual symbolizes the acceptance between the couple. The bride’s mother then applies Kajal on the groom to get rid of all the evil spirits. She then performs the aarti.
5. Hathleva
The chief priest does a special prayer session praising Lord Ganesha, and he gives a coin and henna on the groom’s right hand. Then he ties the groom’s hand with the bride’s hand. This is to indicate that both of them are now together.
6. Gajoa
This is one important ritual in which the priest ties the groom’s dhoti with the bride’s saree. This sacred wedlock symbolizes that the couple has officially united, and the lock is for a lifetime.
7. Satphere
The couple will walk around the holy fire seven times and promise the Agni deity that they will stay together and lead a happy life. This is when they are officially considered ‘married’.
8. Kanya Daan
In this ritual, the father of the bride formally gives away his daughter to the groom. He performs this ritual after pouring holy water on the groom. He will then request his son-in-law to look after his daughter by giving her proper love, care, and attachment. The groom promises to all these by repeating three times that he will give all his love and care to his wife, realizing three important factors – Dharma, Artha, and the Kama.
1. Kanwar Kaleva
Taste the delicacy with this Haryanvi wedding ritual. A grand and extended banquet is served to the groom’s family after the wedding, which they enjoy.
2. Rangbari
As part of the wedding ceremony, a new set of clothes are purchased for the bride, and during this ceremony, all such attire will be displayed for the guests.
3. Farewell
In this ritual, the bride says farewell to her family as she will be leaving for the groom’s residence. All her family members shower blessings on him and give her a worthy farewell. She will also be given sweets and presents which she will carry to her new home.
4. Stop the door
When reaching the groom’s place, the couple will be given a warm welcome by the groom’s sister or his aunt. An earthen vessel with a mixture of salt and water is used to ward off evil spirits. Then the pot was destroyed. Then only the couple enter the house.
5. Griha Pravesh
The groom’s mother welcomes the bride to her new home. She performs aarti and places a tray at the entrance of the door. The tray contains vermilion powder mixed into water or milk. Before entering the house, the bride places her foot on the tray and enters the house, making that red mark on the floor, symbolizing good luck and purity.
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