Gujarati Wedding Traditions: Pre-Wedding
Chandlo Matli or Chandla Vidhi
In the beautiful Chandlo Matli ritual, clay containers called matli and red vermilion, or kumkum, are delicately applied on the forehead, known as chandlo. This heartfelt ceremony marks the inception of the marital journey, symbolising the deep bond between the bride and groom. It’s a moment of significance where the bride’s parents adorn the groom with chandlo and present a matli filled with sweets to the other family, often signifying the setting of the wedding date. It’s a touching tradition that embodies the essence of unity and love as families come together to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in the couple’s life.
Gol Dhana, Sagai, and Engagement
In the heart-warming Gol Dhana ceremony, the essence of Gujarati traditions shines through. Imagine a moment where the sweetness of jaggery (gol) and the aromatic coriander seeds (dhana) come together, symbolising the union of two souls. This ritual, whether celebrated grandly or intimately at home, is a beautiful occasion where elders shower blessings upon the couple as they embrace each other formally. Chandlo Matli and Gol Dhana Vidhi, often intertwined on this special day, mark the beginning of a journey filled with love, respect, and togetherness.
Mehndi
During the Mehndi ceremony, henna is intricately applied to the hands and feet of the bride and female family members, blending tradition with artistry. Originally for decoration and relaxation, the henna designs, like doli and musical instruments, allow brides to personalise their henna with meaningful symbols, creating a joyful and creative atmosphere. Whether held together or separately at the homes of the bride and groom, Mehndi adds a fun and bonding element to the wedding celebrations.
Fun fact:
It’s stated that the groom must locate his name, which is deftly concealed inside the mehndi pattern, and is not supposed to view the bride’s mehndi before the wedding.
Garba, Sanji, and Sangeet Sandhya
These lively celebrations, central to Gujarati weddings, can be standalone or part of the Mehdi ceremony. Families typically combine them for a more festive atmosphere. Events like music nights, skits, dance performances, and Garba-raas are common. Held in various venues, from banquet halls to temples, these celebrations feature traditional attire like “Chaniya choli” or “kurta” for vibrant images.
Matli Ganesh
The Ganesh Matli ceremony marks the beginning of pre-wedding rituals in a Gujarati wedding. Families from Gujarat’s north and west often perform this ritual. The bride, accompanied by her family members, visits the groom’s family with a Ganesh idol and matlis filled with candy. After the welcome and vermillion application by the bride’s brother, the couple conducts a Ganesh puja together. Subsequently, the bride’s family departs, and the groom’s family continues with the remaining rites.
Mandap Muhurat
Mandap Mahurat, also known as Mangal Mahurat, is a ritual where both the bride and groom seek blessings from Mother Earth before setting up the mandap. Traditionally, a decorative wooden stick, Manek Stambh, is inserted into the ground as part of this ceremony. Nowadays, a Manek staphah is placed in a decorative pot filled with soil to symbolise this auspicious ritual.
Grah Shanti
After the Mandap Mahurat, the family priest conducts the Griha Shanti ceremony to seek the blessings of all the nine planets of the solar system for both the bride’s and groom’s families. This ritual is essential in Gujarati weddings to ensure a harmonious and prosperous married life for the couple.
Mameru/Mosalu
The bride’s maternal uncle visits her during the Grah shanti puja before the wedding, bringing gifts like a Panetar saree, jewellery, candies, and dried fruits beautifully presented in trays.
Haldi/Pithi Ceremony
The day before the wedding, after the Grah Shanti ceremony, the Pithi ceremony is performed individually at the homes of the bride and groom. They sit on a low seat called the Bajoth, where a paste of turmeric, sandalwood, rosewater, and herbs is applied to their faces and hands. Sandalwood, known for its anti-inflammatory and beautifying properties, is traditionally used alongside turmeric. The Pithi is customarily made by the bride or groom’s paternal uncle’s wife (Kaki).
Interested fact:
It’s said that the couple that applies haldi to an unmarried individual would end up being the next to get married.
Gujarati Wedding Traditions: Wedding Day
Varghodo/ Baarat
In Gujarati weddings, the Varghodo is a pre-groom’s arrival ritual where the groom’s sister circles his head with a bowl of money to ward off evil spirits. This tradition symbolises the bond between the siblings, reminding the groom not to forget his sister. The family then proceeds to the wedding location in a joyous procession.
Arrival of the groom/Jaan Agman
The Jaan rite is conducted to greet the groom and his family when they arrive at the wedding destination on a beautifully adorned steed. In particular, a Jaan or Agman ceremony is held to greet the groom’s family with sweets and Aarti.
Ponkvu, Pokhna, and Pokhnu
The custom symbolises the groom’s arrival at the bridal mandap. The bride’s Mother blesses him, feeds him sweets, and performs Aarti. During the playful Pokhna ritual, she playfully tries to pull the groom’s nose to remind him to be humble as he seeks her daughter’s hand in marriage, creating a lighthearted moment.
Jaimala
It’s time for the Jaimala rite when both the bride and groom reach the wedding mandap. The pair swaps bouquets. Traditional wedding music may sometimes be heard in the background.
Madhuparka
During the Madhuparka ceremony in a Gujarati wedding, the bride’s mother accompanies the groom to the mandap. Here, he receives a foot bath with milk and water, followed by being offered Panchamrut—a mixture of milk, yoghurt, sugar, ghee, and honey. Meanwhile, the bride’s sisters organise and execute the Joota Chhupai (Shoe concealment) ceremony.
Antarpat
After the bride enters the mandap, a fabric called an antarpat is placed between her and the groom. This custom is followed during Gujarati weddings to keep the couple’s faces hidden from one another.
Kanyadan
Gujarati marriages, like other Hindu weddings, are based on the Kanyadan custom of the bride’s father giving his daughter to the groom. He washes the groom’s feet first, then asks him to look after his daughter, giving the groom responsibility for her.
Quick Melap
The bride’s Palla saree and the groom’s shawl are joined by the wedding priest to form the holy knot, which symbolises the uniting of two souls. He repeats sacred mantras while putting their hands together. The pair is blessed by every member of the family and relatives, who shower them with rose petals and rice grains.
Angi Fera / Mangal Phera
During Mangal Pheras, the couple circles the sacred fire four times, chanting mantras symbolising vows to remain together for life. Each round represents key aspects of a happy marriage: “Dharma,” “Artha,” “Kama,” and “Moksha.” After each round, the bride’s brother gives them puffed rice to offer to the holy fire.
The Saptapadi
Like every Hindu wedding, the Saptapadi Ritual is one of the most important parts of a Gujarati wedding. As they take the seven vows of holy marriage, the bride, and groom now walk together seven times. The seven vows include commitments to one another’s love, respect, care, starting a family, and everlasting companionship.
Kansar, Mangal Sutra, and Sindoor
In a Gujarati wedding, the final stages involve the groom applying vermillion (Sindoor) to the bride’s mid-parting hair, symbolising her status as a married woman. He then places the Mangal Sutra around her neck. Following the ceremony, the couple participates in the Kansar ritual, feeding each other sweets. Finally, they seek blessings by touching their elders’ feet as the wedding concludes.
The Saubhagyavati Bhava
The newlyweds are invited to a blessing by seven married ladies. The women say “Saubhagyavati Bhava” (which translates to “may your marital life flourish with eternal glory”) to the bride as they ask for their blessings.
Pakadyo Chhedo
In a hilarious Gujarati wedding custom, the groom catches his mother-in-law’s saree pallu and requests further presents! After that, everyone stuffs her saree pallu with presents and money, which are subsequently given to the groom’s family.
Vidai
Following the celebration, the bride has an emotional Vidaai Ceremony to say goodbye to her parental house. She tosses rice grains in the direction of the home she is leaving from the back of her head. It symbolises her repaying her family’s obligations.
Pravesh Griha
The bride’s mother-in-law extends a hearty greeting to her at her new house. She greets the bride and does the couple’s Aarti. The bride is then expected to push a pot full of grain straight up to the entrance of the residence. In Gujarati weddings, this is seen as an auspicious tradition that would bring good fortune.
Aeki beki
Aeki Beki is a happy game that newlyweds play together. Milk, vermillion, water, cash, and a gold ring are all placed into a large container. With only their right hands, the pair must locate the ring within the container. The family gives token cash or a gift to the game’s winner.
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