Marriage in Punjab is
often fixed by the parents. The traditional practices have been
amended to cope up with the changing times. Love marriages are now days
more accepted. Punjabis are generally broad minded people who have been
accepting the marriage between the inter caste people.
The
marriage means lots of excitement and thrill for the Punjabi people.
Often lots of ceremonies are performed once boy and girl agree to marry
each other.
First
ceremony that takes place is the ?roka?. The boy and girl are given
sweets and some money. This is particularly done to prevent the boy and
girl families for further searching the prospective partners.
After
this, engagement ceremony takes place. The bride is provided outfit by
the groom?s family. The traditional colors can be pink or red which are
considered auspicious for the moment. Rings are exchanged between the
boy and the girl.
Punjabi
marriage consists of numerous ceremonies. ?Chuda ceremony? is often
associated with presenting of ivory bangles in cream and red colors to
the bride by her maternal uncle. Eldest uncle and aunt keep fast till
the whole ceremony is performed. Blessings are given and flowers are
showered on the girl. Sweets are distributed.
?Kaliras
?, ornaments in gold and silver color are tied around the girl?s hands.
After this, paste made of turmeric, oil and sandal is applied on the
body of the bride by the female friends. This is done to enhance the
beauty of bride.
After this, oil is put in the
hairs of bride. After this ?garholi? is performed. The water from some
religious place is fetched and bride is bathed with it. ?Varnas? are
done to ward off the evil spirits.
In
the evening, bride is decorated with jewels and flowers. She is dressed
in her bridal attires with the make up. ?Solheehn Singar? is done by
her to look appealing on that particular evening.
On
the other side, in the groom?s house, ?Sehara bandi? is performed by
the elders. Sister in laws of the groom put kajal in the groom?s eyes.
Sisters feed the mare with gram pulse. After this, groom rides on the
mare. The whole procession takes place toward?s the bride?s house where
they are welcomed by sprinkling the rose water. The dance and music
becomes the part of the whole celebration.
?Milni?
is performed between both the parties. Garlands and gifts are given to
the groom?s family. Then goom is taken to the stage. He is joined by
the bride. Both of them are taken to the site where Veda mantars are
recited by the priest and they take rounds around the holy fire with
tied to each other. Vows are taken by both of them and then bride?s
father gives her hand in the groom?s hand. Both of them take the
blessing of their elders to start a new life.
After this, ?doli? takes place. It is departure of bride for the
groom?s house. When they reach the groom?s house, his mother take a
vessel containing water and try to drink it after rounded it from their
heads but the groom will stop him. After a few rounds, she drinks the
water. Newly weds are welcomed in the house and they played number of
traditional games.
