A typical Bengali Hindu marriage, like most other Hindu marriages in India is full of numerous rituals and ceremonies. Listed below are some interesting and important Bengali wedding rituals that form an integral part of every Bengali marriage.
Pre-Wedding Customs
- Patri-Patro: An auspicious day is choosen when the families of the bride and groom come together to finalize a date for the marriage.
- Ashirbaad:The parents and some close relatives of the bride visit the groom’s house to bless the groom and present him with gifts of gold ornaments. A similar ceremony is held at the bride’s place.
- Gaye Holud: A couple of days before the wedding, the groom’s family visit the bride’s house to present her with the jewelry, henna, other gifts and a pot of turmeric paste to be applied on the entire body of the bride. A similar ceremony is carried out at the groom’s house by the bride’s family.
- Ai Buddo Bhaat: This refers to the last meal that the would-be bride consumes in her own house before getting married. Its kind of a mini-feast where all the realtives and friends join in the celebrations and wish her all the best. Ai Buddo Bhaat consists of typical Bengali fare like fish, rice, luchis (puri), vegetables and sweets such as sandesh, rasgullas etc. This ritual takes place in the home of the groom also.
- Dodhi Mongol: On the morning of the wedding day, the bride and the groom take a bath with water provided by married females of the family. The bride is also made to adorn traditional red and white bangles and fed curd and rice by seven married women of her family.
At Wedding Customs
- Bor Jatri And Bor Boron: The friends and relatives of the groom get ready to proceed to the bride’s house. The members of the bride’s family led by the bride’s mother welcome the groom and his friends and relatives by showing the sacred traditional earthen lamp and sprinkling trefoil and husked rice placed on a winnow made from bamboo.
- Potto Bastra: Once the groom occupies his seat at the chadnatolla in the sacred mandap, he is gifted by the person who later performs the ritual of sampradaan.
- Saat Paak And Shubho Drishti: The bride is carried on a low wooden stool named Piri by her brothers, seven times around the groom. She keeps her eyes covered with betel leaves, which she can remove to see the groom, only after the seventh round is completed.
- Mala Badal: The bride and the groom exchange garlands made from fragrant flowers while still sitting high on the piri. The exchange of garlands is done three times to symbolize the couple’s acceptance of one another.
- Sampradaan: An elderly male member of the bride’s family hands her over to the groom and the couple’s hands are then bound with a sacred thread.
- Yagna And Saat Paak: The bride and the groom chant mantras to become united in front of the holy fire. The wedding is solemnized by the couple taking seven rounds around the holy fire.
- Anjali: The couple together pours an offering of puffed rice, placed in the bride’s hands by her brother, into the holy fire.
- Sindoor Daan And Ghomta: The groom puts vermilion in the bride’s hair parting after which covers her head with a new saree gifted by the groom.
Post-Wedding Customs
- Bidaay: The bride’s family blesses the couple and bids farewell to their daughter as she starts a new life.
- KaalRatri: Upon reaching the groom’s home, the bride and groom are separated for the night to allow them time to have a refreshing sleep.
- BouBaat: On the next day of the wedding, the bride prepares food for her husband’s family and is showered with blessings and gifts.
- PhoolShojja: The newlywed couple, adorned with flowers is left alone in a room with a bed decorated with beautiful flowers to consummate their marriage.
A Bengali Hindu wedding has its own beautiful traditions and customs which reflect the beautiful yet diverse culture of India!
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