Oh my! Today is one fabulous wedding. Rich in Indian Hindu customs, traditions and smiles, this Marwari wedding brings you front seats to this gorgeous weeklong event.
Divya & Priyank got married in Bengaluru, India in the middle of the monsoon season. Despite rain, hail, and more, they pulled off a stunning wedding with all their guests including a baraat in the rain!
We have featured a Marwari wedding once before and this time we are super excited to feature another. I especially asked Divya to share some of the Marwari rituals as many are unique to the community.
Tell us about the wedding!
We had a 4 day festivity! Let me try to cover all the events.
Starting from Jhol & Pitti (Curd rasam & haldi). Then we had Myra where the brides maternal side family is invited to attend the wedding and join the festivities and then they come in with a lot of goodies for the family.
After that we had the Geeth which was a Rajasthani themed event (this party is exclusively for women). Then we had a mehendi party which was a close family affair with just the near and dear ones around.
Next day we had a SANGEETH followed by a reception we went all red that evening. And finally came in the WEDDING which was indeed a beautiful fairy tale with a lot of guest and family. The culture was truly Marwadi with all the customs and rituals. Bangalore was the destination of all the events.
Tell us about some Marwari wedding traditions.
Oh yes, we had a lot of crazy customs! Stating with the Moong bekherana, all women sing for the prosperity of the going to be couple. The Pecha badaliye is when the paternal uncles and the bride’s father tie a yellow turban to each other in honor of respect.
Jhol dalna is for all married couples tie a knot and pour curd (yogurt) on the bride’s and groom’s head and they bless the couple. Then we had the Haldi rasam which beautifies and pampers both bride and groom so that they look the best on there wedding.
We also had Godan, a ceremony from ancient times. The bride and groom receive a cow for prosperity from the bride’s parents. Since real cows are not given today, a silver cow is gifted.
The Goda Bethai is when the groom sits on the laps of girl’s side relatives (women -especially mothers) and in the bargain he is showered with a lot of blessing n gifts.
A classic Marwari tradition is the Toran. The Toran is a pentagon shaped object tied to the entrance of bride’s home to which the groom performs a Pooja with neem leaves.
Last, before the wedding, we had a Padala. The groom’s sister or younger brother visit the bride’s home to present her with her wedding attire, adornments, and shoes.
After the wedding, we had a rasam called JUA JUI on the morning after the Bidaai ceremony. This is a series of games between the bride and groom to figure out who would be the commanding authority in the house going forward. A ring or coin is placed in a large thali of milk water and the couple fights to find it!
What was the inspiration for your wedding?
My parents- they are a dream couple. Every girl has a dream of having a picture perfect wedding that envisions the happiness and love from her parents own lives.
What was the hardest part of the wedding?
RAINS!!! God it was the most difficult part organizing the whole wedding with the unpredictable rains….
And there was rain.
What was your favorite part of the wedding?
Every single person on the guest list made it despite the crazy rains.
Being pampered and the feeling of being a queen for THE DAY is beyond words.
What advice do you have for brides-to-be?
Get pampered totally. It’s your day to enjoy it to the fullest and be happy.
Thank you so so much Divya for sharing your wedding! We wish you and Priyank lots of love and happiness in life!
{Wedding Suppliers}
Photographer: Kangan Films, New Delhi, India
Makeup: Sonia from Mirrors & Within
Wedding Planner: Neeru Surana from Soch Signature Weddings
such a cool wedding day!