A sacred bath ceremony
very similar to the other Indian matrimonial rituals is the ‘Nahn’.
The bride and the groom are thereafter, adorned in their matrimonial
clothes. The clothes to be worn are very typical of the Parsi
community. These consist of the white dugli (coat), white trousers
with a pagri (cap) for the groom and are known as the jamapichori.
The bride wears a white sari. The bride’s face is veiled
by the mathubanu. Kumkum (vermilion) is applied onto their foreheads
while the mothers of both perform the ‘Achoo Meehu’
(an aarti).
The groom is expected to reach the matrimonial venue before the
bride. On the arrival of the bride the couple is made to sit separated
by a white cloth, which serves the purpose of a curtain. The couple
is then given the last chance of refusing this matrimonial alliance,
by the priest, as two witnesses from each side stand on either
side.
Once consent is given for the matrimonial alliance to proceed,
the Parsi community observes the ritual of ‘Haathevaro’
where the right hands of the couple are joined by a white thread.
A dhaga is also tied around the couple, to enclose them in a circle
that symbolises unity in Parsi matrimonial. The priest blesses
the couple and asks for the witnesses consent. This is the most
important and religious part of the matrimonial ceremony where
the marriage vows are taken. Ashirvaad (blessings) is then given
to the newly weds and the ‘Tan-Dorosti’ prayer is
recited. The Parsi, recite the ‘Tan-Dorosti’ for good
health. The couple is then showered by rose petals and rice. Matrimonial
rings are exchanged thus making official the matrimonial alliance.
The Parsi Wedding ceremony must be performed in the company of
an assembly or Anjuman. ‘Parsi Bhonu’ is now served.
This traditional food is served on banana leaves. No meat is served.
However, the feast is not complete without fish. Sweets are also
compulsorily served.
After the matrimonial feast, the bride leaves for her husband’s
house amidst bridal songs in a ceremonial send off. As the bridal
couple leaves, the venue, for the house, their long jamas are
tied to each other and ‘Cheda Chedi’ begins. ‘Eki
Beki’ is also another very lighthearted tradition of the
Parsi community and is filled with teasing songs.
According to the Parsi Marriage rituals, they perform the ‘Varona’
(a post - matrimonial ceremony), on the eighth day of the wedding.
This ritual involves collection of all the items, coconuts and
garlands used for the ‘Mandav Saro’ and immersing
them into the sea. After this, the girl is allowed to visit her
parent’s home for the first time after the matrimonial alliance.
The same evening the jamai (son-in-law), his parents, sisters
and brothers are invited for dinner to the house.
