Oriya (Odiya) Hindu Wedding Rituals and Traditions

Oriya (Odiya) Hindu Wedding Rituals and Traditions

Orissa, popularly Odisha, is a state popularly known for its rich bio-diversity and world-renowned pilgrimage centers. Apart from these specialties, the state also reflects its varied cultural importance, giving you a perfect insight into the interesting ritualistic practices that the state’s people follow. When we discuss Orissa’s cultural importance, the Oriya wedding ceremonies come first, where you get to see simple and meaningful wedding rituals. The people of Odisha give so much significance to the traditional customs when it comes to marriages. Now, let us have a brief look at the important and vibrant Oriya marriage rituals and customs that you should never miss.

Pre-Wedding Rituals of Oriya (Odiya) Hindu Wedding

1. Nirbandh

Most of the Oriya weddings are arranged marriages where the families at first match the horoscopes and organize a meeting between the bride and the groom and the families. Once both parties agree to the alliance, this ritual is performed. Nirbandh is, in fact, a formal engagement ceremony, and curiously, the bride and groom will not be present during this function.

In the Oriya marriage custom, only the family elders will be present on the engagement day. This happens mostly in temples where both parties give their words indicating their consent for the marriage. Gifts are also exchanged between the households.

2. Mangan

Like the Haldi ceremony in other Hindu wedding rituals, Mangan in Oriya marriage happens one day before the wedding date. Pure turmeric is taken, and it is then made into a paste which is spread on the bride’s hands and feet by married women in her family. The same thing happens at the groom’s place as well.” Once turmeric paste is applied, the bride and the groom will have a sacred bath.

3. Jairagado Anukolo

In this Oriya wedding ritual, the sacred flame is lit by the priest. This sacred fire holds great importance in Oriya weddings as it signifies auspiciousness. And the fire is supposed to be lit till each, and every marriage ritual ends.

4. Diya Mangula Puja

In this ritual, the bride visits a nearby temple dedicated to the Goddess and offers her prayers to seek the deity’s blessings. The wedding accessories like the bride’s saree, rings, toe rings, and bangles are placed in front of the goddess, and prayers are offered. It is believed that the goddess will bless all these objects for the couple to have a joyful life together.

Wedding Rituals of Oriya (Odiya) Hindu Wedding

1. Barjaatri

The groom begins his journey to the wedding venue at this marriage ritual. His family members and friends escort him. Mostly, the family members accompany the groom in separate vehicles as a procession. He is given a warm welcome at the venue’s entrance, where the bride’s mother performs a traditional aarti. He is then carried to the pavilion.

2. Kanyadaan

Kanyadaan is the most auspicious Oriya wedding ritual in which the groom enters the mandap (the venue where the marriage happens), and the groom’s father gives away his daughter to his son-in-law. The groom’s father asks the groom to take care of his daughter as he did. He also urges him to give proper love, care, and attachment to his daughter. The groom agrees to this and seeks blessings from his father in law.

3. Hatha Granthi Fita

This is a sacred ceremony in which a garland made of mango leaves is placed around the bride and groom’s hands. The bride’s father will join their hands. And the groom accepts the bride as his wife and promises to keep her happy forever. This ritual also marks the evolution of the groom to that of a wife.

4. Saptapadi

During this ritual, the couple holds their hands and walk around the holy fire seven times. These seven steps represent seven holy vows that the couple has to follow in their married life. The couple silently recites the vows while taking each step.

5. Sindoor Daan

The couple steps out from the tent to see the Polaris. After watching, the groom takes some vermillion (vermillion) in his hand and applies it to the bride’s hair parting to confirm her as a married woman. She is supposed to wear sindoor for the rest of her married life.

Post-Wedding Rituals of Oriya (Odiya) Hindu Wedding

1. Kaduri Khela

Once all the wedding rituals get accomplished, there will be an interesting game session where they get relaxed. Kaduri is a small and glossy shell in which the groom holds a handful, and the bride is supposed to open his hand and take out the shells.

2. Mother-in-law cooked curd

In this ritual, the groom’s mother invites the groom to have some food. Interesting, he will have his food sitting on his mother-in-law’s lap. She will feed him tasty Odisha delicacies.

3. Bahuna

While the bride gets ready to leave her home, her mother will sing songs popularly known as ‘Bahuna’ songs. Through these songs, she is attempting to emote her pains. It is quite an emotional ritual in the Oriya marriage ceremony.

4. Grihaprabesha

The couple reach the groom’s house, where they are warmly welcomed. The bride is considered the embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi, and hence she is welcomed by performing aarti. She is believed to bring money, happiness, and prosperity to her new house.

5. Asta Mangala

This ritual is performed on the eighth day of the marriage. The bride and the groom visit the bride’s paternal home to have a grand and extended feast. The couple stays there that night, and it marks the end of the Oriya marriage traditions.

Well, all these traditional Oriya wedding traditions and rituals are quite interesting, is it not?

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