Punjabi Wedding Rituals: All About the Dance, Drama and Dhamaka!

We all know that the true essence of ‘The Big Fat Indian Wedding’ comes from our elaborate and larger-than-life Punjabi weddings. The colourful affair always manages to grab our attention with its fun, vibrant and cheerful elements. And of course, the royalty-worthy delicious food! Ever wondered what exactly goes on during these Punjabi weddings? Keep scrolling for all the info you need:

PRE – WEDDING RITUALS

Roka Ceremony:

In this Punjabi wedding ceremony, the family of the bride and groom hold a function to signify their commitment to one another. They exchange gifts, sweets, dry fruits, etc.

Sagan:

This Punjabi wedding ritual is held either at the groom’s house or at a banquet hall, depending on the number of people attending. The father of the brides puts a tikka on the groom’s forehead and offers him gifts.

Chunni Chadai:

This is a Punjabi ritual that takes place either during the roka ceremony or the sagan. The groom’s sister or mother places a red or pink chunni on the bride’s head and gifts her a saree along with jewellery and other traditional clothes.

Sagai:

This is basically like an engagement ceremony where the couple exchange rings. Their family showers one another with more gifts.

Mehndi and Sangeet:

These events usually happen at a venue. The mehndi is when the bride as well as other girls at the function gets her hands and feet adorned with henna.

The Sangeet that follows is kind of like a pre-wedding party that comprises of lots of dancing, singing and enjoyment.

WEDDING RITUALS

Gana Bandhna:

This Punjabi ritual takes place on the morning of the wedding at the bride and groom’s house. They each attend a puja where a sacred thread with betel nuts and sheels (mouli) is tied to their wrists. The thread has to have the maximum number of knots so that it is difficult to untie later.

Haldi Ceremony / Vatna

A paste of turmeric and mustard oil is applied to the bride and groom on the morning of the wedding. It is said to give them a natural glow.

Chooda Ceremony:

The bride’s maternal uncle gives her a set of white and red bangles called chooda. The chooda is to be kept in a bowl of milk before wearing.
After wearing, the bride’s family and friends tie Kalire (dangling gold ornaments) to her bangles.

Ghara Ghardoli:

For this Punjabi wedding ritual, the bride’s sibling or sibling’s spouse visits the gurudwara and brings home a ghara (earthen pot) filled with water.  She is to bathe with this water after the haldi ceremony.
The same is done at the groom’s house.

Sehrabandhi and Ghudchadai:

After the groom is dressed in his wedding attire, the sister or any other close relative of the groom ties a sehra around his head and applies surma under his eyes.
Ghudchadai is when he sits on his horse to proceed to the wedding venue.

Varmala:

After reaching the venue, the bride and groom exchange flower garlands. It is a joyful ceremony almost like a fun contest where they are lifted up by family and friends to see who can put the varmala first.

Kanyadaan and Pheres:

The father of the bride gives the groom his daughter’s hand. The couple then take seven rounds around a sacred fire. After this, the groom ties a mangalsutra around the bride’s neck and applies sindoor on her hair parting.

Joota Chupai:

It is a fun event where the sisters of the bride hide the groom’s footwear and if he doesn’t find it, they return it to him in exchange for money as a gift.

POST – WEDDING RITUALS

Vidaai:

This is when the bride leave’s her parent’s house and proceeds to live with her new family. She throws a handful of rice backwards and her mother catches it in her pallu.  

Griha Pravesh:

When the couple reaches the groom’s house, the mother of the groom performs a puja after which the bride knocks down a container of rice at the threshold of the door with her right foot. She then enters the house along with her husband.

Reception:

A party takes place after the wedding to celebrate the newlyweds. It is usually held at a venue.