India is a land of traditions and customs and that’s probably one reason why there’s a ceremony to herald all auspicious occasions. A North Indian wedding is a beautiful ceremony to witness and there are many smaller ceremonies that are held before the main ceremony. Here is a peek into the different pre-wedding customs that are part of a North Indian wedding:
Mangni/Sagai
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The Sagai or engagement can take place days or even months before the actual wedding. Usually, the sagai is held in the presence of family members, friend and other relatives. Rings and garlands are exchanged and gifts of sweets, dry fruits and other sweetmeats are exchanged. Sometimes, gifts of jewellery and other luxury items may also be gifted to the bride to be and the bridegroom to be by the elders. Traditionally speaking, the engagement ceremony is always held at the bridegroom’s house. Today however, a sagai has become a much more elaborate affair and many guests who may not be invited to the wedding are asked to be present at this pre-wedding custom ceremony. The bride is usually dressed in a bright coloured saree or in a lehenga and the bridegroom usually wears a kurta pyjama or a sherwani.
Sangeet
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Image courtesy Confetti Films
The sangeet ceremony is usually observed at the bride’s house and is a function at which only other women are invited. The idea of conducting a sangeet before the wedding was to give the women a chance to get together before the bride left for her in-laws house after marriage. Sangeet’s are always fun where one gets dressed in the best and there’s plenty of singing, dancing and merry making involved. Refreshments which include a variety of sweets and other snacks are served. The bridegroom’s family is usually not invited for the sangeet although these days, a commons sangeet may be held for both the respective families. Think of it as the perfect place for the bride to be to let her hair down with loved ones and friends, it’s no wonder that many brides look forward to this fun pre-wedding customs.
Haldi
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Mehndi
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Just like the other pre-wedding customs, this ceremony too takes place just before the wedding and the bride, according to tradition doesn’t step out of the house after the ceremony is over. The mehendi function is organised by the family members and is usually a private affair which is held in the presence of just a few friends and relatives. Turmeric and sandalwood paste is applied to the bride’s face, hands and feet by the elders, for a natural glow. Mehendi is usually applied on the hands of most of the women who attend the ceremony although the best design is reserved only for the bride. Folklore has it that the darker the shade of the mehndi, the longer a bride’s husband would love her. In some families, until the mehndi has completely faded away from the bride’s hands, she is not allowed to take up any marital duties in her in-laws house.
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