Rajput Wedding

RAJPUT WEDDING CUSTOMS & RITUALS

Rajputs traditionally have their own distinct individual rituals of marriage, as marriage is one of the most important events in life. It is relation which is created for seven generations between the two families of the bride and the groom. Rajputs are the only clan perhaps who have carried forward the tradition of the royal family weddings, the grooms' riding of elephants and the brides' decked up in diamonds and other precious stones. The Rajput marriages, as a rule, are grand traditional affairs.

» Pre - Marriage Ceremonies : Engagement, Ganpati Sthapana, Pithi Dastoor, Mehfils, Janeva Ceremony, Palla Dastoor, Toran

» Marriage Ceremonies : Granthi Bandhan, Paani Grahan, Phera Ceremony, Satapadi, Bidai

Matchmaking

Rajput gives special attention to the matchmaking aspect of the marriage. The match between a boy and girl is made by taking into consideration many important facts. The family is the first and the foremost significant of all factors. Every care is taken to ensure that the alliance is perfect. The status of the families has to be at par. It is also very important that the bride and the groom hail from separate clans. The horoscopes have to be approved and matched by the family astrologer. Rajputs prefer to marry within the community only. However, exceptions are made if either the bride or the groom comes from a royal family.

Wedding Costumes

Bridal Wear

The Rajput bride wears a resplendent traditional Rajputi poshak (The Bridal dress) for the wedding ceremony that is usually red in colour but you will also find orange, yellow, gold or pink poshaks being worn. There are certain traditional items of jewellery worn by the bride for the occasion that also have their own significance.A bright parrot green is a particular favorite of a particular Rajput clan. A lot much jewellery adorns the bride as well. There would be the Rakhdi (a circular piece of jewellery for the forehead), the Sheesphul as headgear, the Aad as a thick neck hanging,  hanging earrings, the Timaniyaan (a choker studded with uncut diamonds), the Chooda (a set of ivory and gold bangles), the Bajuband (gold and stone-studded armlets) at elbow on arms, the Poonchis and the Bangdis as thick golden bangles in arms, the Hathphuls on hands, the Pajeb or Payal (gold anklets) and the Bichhiya (gold toe-rings for the feet) and finally, there is the Nath (the stone-studded nose-ring).

Interesting Facts:

The 'Rakhdi', a circular piece of adornment worn on the forehead in the parting of the hair signifies that the bride must 'walk on the straight line' while the danglers on her ears advise her not to listen to gossip.

The 'Timaniyaan', which is a choker encrusted with uncut diamonds, tells her that she should always bow her head in humility.

The 'Chooda' that is a set of ivory and gold bangles, reminds her to give to charity.

The anklets tell her to put the 'right foot forward' while the nose ring reminds her not to spend more than her husband can afford.

The wedding dress and the Aad is gifted by the groom's side to the bride.

Groom's Attire

The traditional attire for the Rajput male includes a long coat in golden color - known as the Achkan or Sherwani. There is the very majestic saffron turban worn along with a Chudidaar (tight salwar) and Binota or Juti (regal shoes). Surprisingly, the groom too wears some eye dazzling jewellery, such as those of special jewellery, the Serpech to be worn on the turban. There are a necklace to be worn around the neck and a Kammarband at the waist. He keeps a sword in his hand for the ceremony.

RITUALS & CUSTOMS

BEFORE WEDDING

 

Rituals Before Marriage

Tilak or Tika

This is the official engagement ceremony wherein only the male members of the girl’s family go to the boy's house. Only the bride's father, brother and other male relatives take part in this ceremony. Women are altogether prohibited and not even the bride is allowed to attend her engagement – is called the Tika/ Tilak - ceremony! The ceremony, as its name suggests, has the girl's brother applying the Tilak to the groom's forehead. The men from the girl's family usually present the boy with gifts such as a sword, other presents, clothes, sweets, fruits etc. This ceremony makes the engagement or alliance official.

Ganapati Sthaapana

Few days prior to the actual marriage, takes place the Ganapati Sthaapana, are performed wherein either the bride or groom's parents perform a "Havan" to propitiate the gods and an idol of Lord Ganapati is installed. Only after the "Sthaapana" do other ceremonies commence. These are held as very important as it takes place in lieu of the ring ceremony. All ceremonies commence only after the sthapana (installation).

Pithi/ Baan Dastoor

This is an exquisite ceremony which takes place at both the bride and the groom's places. This ritual applies to both the bride and the groom. It would continue till the final wedding day. Once the 'Pithi Dastoor' starts, the bride and groom are forbidden to leave their individual homes. It consists of relatives applying turmeric and sandalwood paste to the bride or groom. The Pithi Dastoor takes place on a large scale at the bride's house. For the occasion, the bride has to wear an orange Rajputi dress. She is made to come under a silken canopy, which is held with the help of swords at the four corners by four ladies. These ladies eventually belong to the same clan. Then she is brought to the ladies gathering and these ladies then apply the paste to her. The ceremony performed for the bride is quite detailed when compared to the groom's and is an all ladies affair. The pithi at the groom's place is held on a minor scale.

As we all know, music is an integral part of Indian weddings and Rajput weddings are no exception. During the 'Pithi Dastoor','Dholans' or women singers with 'Dholaks' sing auspicious pre-wedding songs and generally these Dholaks are present throughout the wedding celebrations. The Dholans sing songs pertinent to each occasion livening up the festivities in the homes of the bride and groom. The 'Shehnai' and 'Nagara' players also are crucial to their weddings but they play in the courtyard or the garden.

Mahira/ Bhaat Dastoor

A ceremony common to the families of the bride and groom is the 'Mahira Dastoor' and is performed by the maternal uncle (Mama) of the bride or groom. The maternal uncle and his family make a grand entrance and are traditionally received by the bride or groom's mother. He gives gifts such as clothes, jewellery and sweets to the entire family and this is a symbolic function as it seen as a brother's duty to help his sister in her child's marriage due to the considerable expenditure that will be incurred.

Bindori/ Bindora The Bride or Grooms are invited on meals by their friends and relatives called Bindoriand Bindora respectively.

Nikasi

In a Rajputi wedding, the groom wears a Safa (Pagdhi) or headgear which is tied up by the sister's husband. The groom also wears 'Pecha', 'Kalgi' and 'Tani'. A Sehra is tied on the pagdhi. The sister in law (brother's wife) of the boy applies Kajal in groom’s eyes. Later, groom's sisters tie golden threads to the reins of the mare in a ceremony called 'Vaag-Gunthai'. While the sister is performing the ritual, her husband holds the reins of the horse. As a custom, the groom pays a visit to the temple first before proceeding to the girl's house.

Baraat

A Rajput’s Baraat is different from all other Indian baraat styles, where the groom dresses in a gold "Achkan" with a "chudidar" or "jodhpurs" with "jootis" and the traditional orange turban on which is adorned a piece of jewellery specially meant for the turban called "Serpech". Around his waist is tied a "Kammarband" and a necklace adorns his neck. It is elegant, poised and individualistic. For one thing, the Rajput Baraat is again an all men's affair. Ladies do not take part in the procession. The groom's marriage procession looks royal and majestic.The groom usually rides an elephant or a horse and carries a sword. Also, the members of the 'baraat' also wear Achkans or Sherwanis with Jodhpur’s and turbans, and proceed to the bride's house. Of course, there is no dancing and all members either ride horses or elephants with swords. As much as that there is no dancing as the baraat progresses through the street. The horse is an important animal for the Rajputs, so the groom must ride the horse at some point in the procession.

Padla/ Samela Dastoor

The Padla/ Samela Dastoor is a custom quintessential to the Rajputs. The 'Padla Dastoor' is a custom followed only by the Rajputs that may be performed a day prior to the wedding or on the actual wedding day and involves the bringing of gifts to the bride, like a collection of many Poshaks, jewelry items, accessories, make-up kits, shoes etc from the groom, by relatives of the groom. These have to be worn by the bride for the wedding ceremony.

Dhukav/ Toran

Finally Baraat reached at doorsteps at Bride. The male members in the bride's family receive the baraaties . The entrance of the girl's house is decorated with a 'Toran'. As a custom the groom hits the Toran with a stick of Jhaadi & Sword. This ceremony is called 'Toranachar' and is symbolic of warding off the evil eye. After this the girl's mother does 'Aarti' and 'Tilak' to the boy. He is given a warm welcome by his mother-in-law by performing the traditional aarti.

Marriage Rituals

The groom is taken by the bride's mother to the ladies section after performing the traditional Aarti. He is then proceded towards the wedding Mandap. In all this only a married male relative or a brother or a male cousin accompanies him. The wedding takes pace as usual with the holy fire and the Vedic mantras. There are the Saat Pheras also. The only exceptional thing about the whole thing is that the bride has to keep her face hidden behind a long veil throughout the marriage. It is mostly attended by the women folk of the family as the men of the house remain busy tending after the barati and other guests.

Granthi-Bandhan/ Gathjoda

The next step is 'granthi-bandhan' or tying the knot. In this the cloth tied around the groom's waist is tied to the chunni of the bride. The ceremony is symbolic of the union of two individuals. From this day they become one entity. Either the sister of the groom or the priest does it.

Paanigrahan

This is followed by the 'paanigrahan' ceremony. The groom takes the bride's hand in his hand. It is again a symbol of this most pious union. It signifies that they will now be together in good times and bad.

Sindhoor (Red Powder)

Then the ritual of 'sindhoor' takes place where the groom applies a small dot of vermilion, a red powder to the bride's forehead and welcomes her as his partner for life. This signifies the completion of the marriage.

Pheras

Then the groom and the bride go around the fire. This act is called 'pheras'. In a Marawadi wedding only four 'pheras' are done in the mandap, rest of the three pheras are performed at the entrance. Following the tradition, in the two pheras, the girl is in the front and in the other two the boy leads

Sindurdaan

Later, in a ceremony called 'vamang-sthpana' the groom requests the bride to sit on his left side, because the heart is in the left side of the body. This signifies that the groom is accepting the bride and is establishing her in his heart. This is followed by sindurdaan ceremony wherein the groom fills the bride's centre hair parting with sindoor or vermillion. Sindoor is considered to be the most auspicious sign of a Hindu married woman.

Aanjhala/ Chhol Bharaai

Following the 'aanjhala bharai' tradition, a bag full of money is put in the new bride's lap by her father-in-law. This is his way of welcoming her into his family and also to make her aware of her family responsibilities. The bride then distributes a part of this money to her sister-in-law and her husband. After this the new couple get up from the mandap. All the elders bless them when the couple touches their feet.

Concept of Seven Lives (Saat Janam)

It is a relationship which is created for seven generations between the two families of the bride and the groom. It comprises a ceremony for the Tilak (engagement), the Ban (starting of the wedding ceremony), the Mel (the community feast), the Nikasi (the departure of the Bridegroom party for the wedding), the Sehla, and the Dhukav (reception of the wedding party at the bride's place by her parents). Solemnisation of the wedding is referred to as Sat Fere.

RITUALS & CUSTOMS

AFTER WEDDING 

 

Bidai/ Vidai

The event of a bride leaving her parental home is marked by the bidai ceremony. A coconut is placed under the wheel of the car and the moving car has to break the coconut before proceeding further. The bride opens her veil before she rides in the car and her husband gifts her piece of jewellery for revealing her face to him.

Grihapravesh

Grihapravesh is actually the entry of the bride into her husband's house for the first time. There take place the essential puja and other rituals as the bride arrives at the Sasural (father-in-law's house).There take place certain games between the bride and the groom, those alike to the usual games that take place in other Hindu weddings.

Pagelagni

The day following the Griha-pravesh, the pagelagni takes place. This is a ceremony where the bride, still in veil, is formally introduced to all the family members of the groom who bless her and give her gifts. The veil is then finally removed.

WEDDING CELEBRATIONS 

Mehfils

The Mehfils are the main attractions of the Rajputi wedding. A mehfil is a place where the ladies of the house assemble for music and dance evening. There is of course a gent’s mehfil as well. At the ladies mehfil, the women collect together at an enclosed courtyard or hall. They are usually dressed in sparkling dresses of all colors. Then, they perform Ghoomar, a famous Rajasthani dance number. 

The bride at the mehfil is given the position of the guest of honor. Though she can also take part in the dance numbers but it is generally believed that she should not overdo it. As overdoing indicates that she is not a modest and well behaved girl. 

The ladies mehfil at the boy's place is the same except for the groom being allowed to attend the only for ladies program. The men's mehfils at both the girl and the boy's places have a different flavor altogether. In these mehfils, professional singers are being invited to perform and these are exclusive all male parties.

Food

Rajput cuisine comprises vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian fare. The Rajputs who are Vaishnavs, those that worship Lord Krishna are strictly vegetarian and the cuisine includes the traditional Rajasthani dishes like the daal-bati. Daal-bati is a dish of cooked lentils and roasted balls of dough, served along with a number of dried or pickled berries cooked in different ways. The warrior class among the Rajputs, those that have warriors as their ancestors, take non-vegetarian dishes. The food is again diverse, inclusive of the seafood and vegetarian dishes. Then, there are the tandoori mixed grill with chicken, lamb, fish, and shrimp, and a smattering of curry offerings.

The royal weddings extend to days and are mind boggling. There are innumerable events and exhaustively rich. Even the Rajput marriage of the bourgeois class is an elaborate affair - with scores of traditional customs and rituals.