How Are Bengali Wedding Rituals Celebrated?

In the study of Indian matrimony, the rituals associated with Bengali matrimony must be mentioned.

The Pre-wedding Rituals

• Pati Potro

  – This is the first ceremony which involves the coming together of the elders of both families.

• Aiburobhat

  – A massive celebration is held with dishes of rice, fish, and vegetables. This is the last meal that the bride takes as a spinster and the groom as a bachelor.

• Sankha Porano

  This ritual involves the wearing of the traditional symbols of the Bengals for good marriage which is called the Sankha – a bangle made from the shells of Conch, and the one made from red Corals called Pola It happens on the evening preceding the wedding.

• Jol Sowa

  - On the wedding morning, the mothers of the bride and groom are escorted by some married women to a nearby river to fetch water and fill a brass pitcher. The groom or bride bathes with this water after the performance of Gaye Holud

• Dodhi Mangal

  – This is the last meal of the couple as they are expected to be fasting until the wedding ends. It is eaten before sunrise. The meal comprises of rice flakes, sweet curd, sweets, and bananas.

• Birddhi Puja

  – This is performed by a male in the respective homes. It involves the chanting of Sanskrit hymns and offerings to seven generations of past ancestors for blessings.

• Gaye Holud and Tattwa

  – This involves the application of turmeric paste and mustard oil on the groom by his mother. The remaining is sent to the family for the performance of the Gaye

 

The Wedding Day Rituals

 

• Bor Jatri and Boron

  – The groom rides in a specially decorated car brought by the bride’s family to cheers from all.

• Ashirbaad

  – The elders in the family of the bride take turns to bless the groom while giving him expensive gifts.

• Saat Paak and Subho Drishti

  – The groom is led into the mandap. And after a series of rituals, the bride who has been hiding her face with betel leaves removes them and they look into each other’s face amidst cheers and blowing of Conch horns.

• Mala Badal

  – This ritual involves the exchange of garlands by the bride and groom in a ritual called Malal

• Kanya Sampradan

  – The hands of the bride and groom are connected with a sacred thread by an elder from the family of the bride while the priest reads some mantras. This is the official handing over ceremony.

• Hom

  – The new couple sit facing each other in the front of a sacred fire as the priest reads some Vedic mantras.

• Saptapadi

  – The priest ties a knot on the groom’s shawl and the saree of the bride as they encircle a sacred fire seven times and exchange vows.

• Lajanjali/Kusumdinge

  – A brother to the bride puts some rice in her hands, the groom joins his hands to hers from behind and together they pour the rice offering into the fire.

• Sindoor Daan

  – The groom rubs Sindoor on the bride’s head and covers it with a brand new

 

The Post-Wedding Rituals

• Basar Ghar

  – When the wedding ends, both families sit together to tease and laugh at each other.

• Bashi Biye

  – Bengali matrimony involves this ritual the next morning after the wedding. It is called Bashi Biye.

• Bidaai

  – This is the departure of the newly weds from the bride’s house. It is a very emotional moment with lots of tears shed.

• Bodhu Baran

  – This is the welcoming of the bride into her new family.

• Kaal Ratri

  – The newly weds are separated into different rooms on the first night

• Bou Bhaat

  – The next morning, this ritual is performed to initiate the bride to her new home.

• Phul Sojja

  – The couple spend their first night together in their elaborately decorated bedroom.

• Diragaman/Astamangala/SubhoChani Satyanarayan Pujo

  – This is done on the eight day. The couple visit the bride’s family. The priest then removes the ritual thread tied during the wedding.