Bengali Wedding involves lot of interesting traditions and rituals. Being a Bengali myself let me walk you through some of the traditional ceremonies we see in Bengali weddings.
PRE-WEDDING RITUALS
Ashirbaad- Ashirbaad means 'Blessings' .this ritual is done as a mark of acceptance for the bride & the groom by their respective in laws. A sandalwood tilak is offered to the groom and also gold jewellery is gifted . As in all Hindu marriages ,sweets are offered.
Ai Buddho Bhaat- This takes place in the bride's home in the night before marriage. This is a grand dinner in her home.
Dodhi Mangal - Ten married women accompany the bride /groom to a nearby pond. This ritual is to invite Goddess Ganga to the marriage
Haldi Uptan - Turmeric Ceremony. The paste of turmeric is applied all over bride body. This brightens up the bride's complexion and makes her skin glow. There is one turmeric ceremony for the bride and another for the groom.
WEDDING RITUAL
Bor Jatri - This is where it all begins as the groom's family proceeds to the wedding venue.
Welcoming the Groom- Baran Dala (A Plate) is touched to the grooms forehead then to the ground and after this bride's mother performs aarti and welcomes her guest into the venue and sweets are served.
Saat Paak - This is a visual delight . Here bride sits on a wooden stool called piri and is carried to the mandap by her brothers or uncles. Bride has to cover her eyes with the sacred beetle leaves and not suppose to see her groom. Keeping her lifted up on the stool, her brothers then walk around the groom seven times.
Subho Drishti- After seven rounds bride and groom see each other.
Mala Badal- Bride and Groom exchange flower garlands while the bride is still seated on the piri. They exchange the garlands three times.
Sampradan -Elder member of the bride's family gives the bride's hand to the groom's hand.
Yagna- The bride and groom sit in front of the sacred fire and chant mantras after the priest.
Saptapadi- Seven circular rounds are taken by the couple around the fire. Thereby solemnizing the occasion.
Anjali- An offering to the fire is made. Bride and Groom pour puffed rice as offering to the fire together.
Sindoor Daan and Ghomta- The groom applies sindoor or vermillion on the bride's hair -parting. The bride then covers her head with a new sari offered by the groom as a veil.
POST MARRIAGE
Bidaay - This is a farewell , the bride is bid adieu with the blessings of her parents and relatives to start a new life with her groom.
Bou Bhaat- Once bride arrives at the home of her in laws she topples over a pot of rice before entering the home. The bou bhaat marks the bride's first meal in her husband's home.
Oshto Mangala- On the eighth day after the marriage ,the couple returns back to the home of the bride.
This marks the end of the rituals. It is a visual delight to attend Bengali marriage. Here is a highlights of Bengali wedding. Lets all be a part of this beautifull wedding!!
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