A Punjabi wedding is a very special and exciting ceremony that takes place in Punjab, a region in northern India. It is a celebration of love and unity between two families as they welcome a new member through marriage.
Before the wedding:
Firstly, the groom's family goes to the bride's house to request her hand in marriage. Once the bride and her family have agreed, both families choose an auspicious date and time to hold the wedding.
A day or two before the wedding day, the groom's family also organizes a "Mehndi" or henna party for the bride. Mehndi is a beautiful design made on the bride's hands and feet with a paste of henna or mehndi leaves. It is said that the darker the mehndi color, the more the bride is loved by her spouse.
Wedding day:
The wedding ceremony is often held in a Gurudwara, which is a Sikh temple, but sometimes it may also take place at the bride's house. The groom comes first and sits on a raised platform called a stage, wearing a traditional outfit known as a sherwani. The bride then arrives, wearing a stunning outfit known as a lehenga, and sits next to the groom on the stage.
The ceremony begins with the "Anand Karaj," which is a Sikh marriage ceremony. During this part of the ceremony, the couple takes four pheras or circles around the Sikh Holy Book, Guru Granth Sahib, signifying their commitment to each other. The couple is also offered kara prasad or a sweet pudding as a symbol of their love and devotion.
After the Anand Karaj, the couple takes seven pheras, known as "saat phere." Each phera represents a vow that the couple makes to each other, such as promises to cherish and support each other, always be truthful and loyal to one another, and to work together for their families and community.
Once the wedding ceremony is complete, the couple exchanges garlands as a way of symbolizing their love and acceptance of one another. They also receive blessings from their parents and other family members, and guests congratulate them by throwing rice or flower petals.
After the wedding:
After the wedding ceremony, a grand feast is organized for all the guests. The traditional Punjabi cuisine includes dishes such as tandoori chicken, butter chicken, chole bhature, and dal makhani, accompanied by naan or rice. There is also a special dance party called "Sangeet" that takes place during the evening, where everyone dances to Punjabi beats and enjoys themselves.
Overall, a Punjabi wedding is a joyous and colorful celebration where two families come together to celebrate love and unity.