The Panetar – Gujarati Bridal Lengha
What I love about India is all the different cultures and traditions you can find without having to leave the country. Unlike in the West, where most brides wear a white wedding gown, in India, brides wear different colors and clothing depending on their culture and where they come from.
There are many types of well known bridal lenghas and saris: Bengali saris, Tamil saris, Maharastrian saris, Sikh saris, and many more. Since I am part Gujarati, I will be wearing a panetar chenia choli (lengha) for my wedding.
The panetar is a Gujarati bridal sari usually consisting of red and white colors, and sometimes red, white, and green colors. The pallu is placed over the front of the bride, instead of the back as in most normal wear. I really love the front-style pallu, as it has a delicate, feminine look.
With most Gujarati panetar chenia cholis, there are two dupattas: one to drape over the shoulder, which is heavily embroidered; and one to drape over the head, which is made of a lighter fabric and less embroidered called the gharchola.
The panetar style can be anything from simply embroidered to covered with gemstones and other heavy decorations. Some may also have very specific styles of embroidery or cuts to reflect the region in Gujarat the dress and bride comes from. The panetar has a long history and it is shown in the bride’s outfits.
Either way, we love Gujarati brides and their beautiful lenghas! Now to add the bridal henna and solah shringar.
10 Comments
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Hiral Parekh said
Preeti said
Hiral Parekh said
Pooja Pandya said
Preeti said
Grishma said
Preeti said
Hi Grishma - It's definitely possible to cover your head and have a front facing pleat with just one dupatta/chunni.
The key is that the dupatta is not very heavy fabric. You also don't want a dupatta that has a lot of embroidery but on net or thin material because the weight will pull down on your head.
To wear just one dupatta do this:
1. Fold the pleats and pin on the shoulder (the Gujarati way of wearing saris/lenghas).
2. On your back, you have the long length of dupatta. Starting from the pinning of the pleats on the shoulder, hold the dupatta and leave a few inches (I'd say 6-7) of leeway. Then place the dupatta over your head. You leave this leeway because you do want to turn your head.
3. Now with the remaining dupatta, you can let the fabric loose drop behind you or you can pin it.
Here's a photo. The chenia choli is very simple but you get the idea.
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