Ah loh ji jihna nu sadee reeti rivajaan baarey nai pataaa eh thread parrrr loh
A traditional Punjabi wedding is an event to look forward to, whether you are involved in it as a bride, a groom, or as a guest. The ceremonies and rituals are lavish, and each is a sweet excuse for fun, frolic and festivity.
Be warned: The merry-making is absolutely infectious. On the flip side, if you're used to being a wall-flower at weddings, go ahead and attend a Punjabi one. You just might emerge a flamboyant person.
<TABLE id=AutoNumber4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>Roka :</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>The Roka ceremony is conducted after the prospective bride and groom have met and approved each other. The significance of the ceremony is akin to an engagement where the boy and girl give their commitment to get married to each other. After this ceremony they are free to court each other. The Roka is performed at the house of the bride-to-be. So the family and relatives of the prospective groom must go to her house for the ceremony. The ceremony consists of a simple puja that is conducted by a purohit, followed by an exchange of gifts between the two families.
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>Sagan and Chunni Chadana : </TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>Both these rituals are performed close to the wedding date. Nowadays they are combined together for the sake of convenience. The ceremonies are usually conducted in a banquet hall or a club. The purohit performs a havan (a puja in front of a sacred fire). The father of the bride-to-be applies tilak on the forehead of the groom-to-be. The bride is dressed in clothes and jewellery that have been presented to her by her future in-laws. She is also presented a red chunni (a traditional scarf) by the sister/sister-in-law of her future husband. She receives more jewellery and gifts from her in-laws as part of the ceremony. Her mother-in-law feeds her boiled rice and milk as part of the ritual. Finally, the prospective bride and groom exchange rings.</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>Sangeet : </TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>Besides the festivity and frolic that mark the days leading up to the wedding, the families of the prospective bride and groom hold a special sangeet (singing) session. Friends and close family members are invited and traditional wedding songs are sung. Sometimes professional dholwalis (female musicians who play the traditional drum) are invited for a special touch. Both the sides exchange gifts and sweets.</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>Mehandi : </TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>It is mandatory for the bride-to-be to have henna on her hands and feet. The henna is sent by the future mother-in-law of the bride-to-be. A relative, friend or a professional mehandiwali (henna artist) applies henna for the bride-to-be. The ritual is marked by festivity. The girl friends and close female relatives of the bride-to-be sing and dance joyously while the mehandi is being applied to her. The henna is usually left on overnight so that it leaves behind a rich dark hue. After the application ceremony, delicious snacks and meals are served to all present.</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>Chuda ceremony :</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>The maternal uncle of the bride-to-be plays an important role in this ceremony. The oldest maternal uncle and aunt as well as the girl's parents usually fast throughout the day, or at least until the completion of this ceremony. The purohit performs a havan. After the puja, the chuda (a set of red and cream ivory bangles) are touched by all present to signify their blessings and good wishes for the bride-to-be. The bride must slip the chuda on her wrist. This is followed by an iron bangle (for good luck) with shells and beads, and a mauli that the pandit ties around her wrist. Flower petals are showered on the girl after the ceremony and prasad (food that has been offered to God or blessed during a puja) is distributed among all. The girl's maternal uncle and aunt, friends and cousins tie kaliras (silver, gold or gold plated traditional ornaments that are tied to the chuda). Before departing for her husband's home, the bride must tap one of her unwed female friends or cousins with her kaliras. According to popular belief, the one who is tapped thus will be the next one to marry. </TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>Ghara ghardoli and vatna : </TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>This ritual demands that the bride-to-be stay at home in her old clothes for a couple of days before her wedding. She must sit in the vicinity of four lit diyas or oil lamps so that the glow from them is reflected on her face. All these measures are believed to contribute to a beautiful glowing look on her wedding day. A sibling and the sibling's spouse usually fill a pitcher of water from a nearby temple and this water is added to the bath of the bride-to-be. Before her bath, vatna or uptan (a paste of powdered turmeric and mustard oil) is applied on her body by female relatives and friends. The uptan is believed to have purifying properties. She is given a bath after this ritual and her old garments are given away to a poor person. Both, the ghara ghardoli and the vatna ceremonies are also performed for the groom at his house. Here the pitcher of water is brought for his bath by his bhabi (elder brother's wife). </TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff></TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>Bridal dress : </TD></TR><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>The bride is dressed by her mother, female relatives and friends amid much gaiety. She may wear a sari or a lehenga in traditional colours like red, orange or magenta. She is adorned with traditional gold jewellery like a nose ring, etc.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
...
..thankju mano
@dhanna......
