Tweet

In India, Wedding is celebrated in several styles and customs since there is a great diversity of culture, religions and traditions. Out of the many colorful Indian wedding rituals and customs, Gujarati wedding is just one of them. Like any other Indian marriage, the Gujarati wedding rituals and customs have three parts. The first part of a Gujarati marriage is the pre wedding ceremony, the wedding ceremony, and then the post wedding ceremony.

Pre wedding ceremony:
Called as Mandap Mahurat in Gujarati, this ceremony is performed by the Pandit or the priest in both the brides and the grooms houses few days before the wedding. It is followed by a puja called the Griha Shanti where the friends and relatives gather. The Pokavu or the wedding day is marked by the arrival of the groom when the brides mother greets and escorts the groom from the entrance to the wedding venue. Then there is a playful ceremony where the mother tries to pinch the grooms nose to remind him, its he who has come up to the door to ask her daughter.

Wedding Ceremony:
In a Gujarati wedding ceremony garlands or the jaimala are exchanged twice by the bride and the groom. Then the groom`s feet are washed and he is fed with honey and milk. After some playful moments of shoe stealing of the groom and giving money to the sister in laws, the brides uncle takes her to the Mandap where they exchange garlands. After the bride giving away ritual, the couple takes four rounds around the ceremonial fire. Then there is a seven vows ceremony called saptapadi after which the couple take blessings from the elders.

Post Wedding Ceremony:
Then there is the ritual of Vidai where the bride leaves for her new home in the grooms house. On their arrival at the grooms house, a game called Aeki- Beki.