Due to the Punjabi
community’s contribution to multi-dimensional progress in
all spheres of life in India, Indian matrimonials cannot be complete
without a Punjabi wedding. The Punjabi community is said to be
at the top and are in fact the most liberated community of India.
Despite them being liberated, when it comes to the Punjabi matrimonial
ceremonies, they live up to full tradition with compassion.
The rituals of Punjabi matrimonial alliance are full of culture,
customs, noble heritage, and like in all Indian matrimonials,
it begins with the boy and girl giving their commitment to get
married to each other. This ceremony is known as ‘Roka’
and takes place at the house of the bride-to-be. This ritual,
which consists of a small pre - matrimonial puja, is followed
by the exchange of gifts between the two families, after which
the girl and boy are free to court or date each other.
In the Punjabi Wedding the ‘Sagan’ and ‘Chunni
Chadana’ follows. Both the ceremonies are held together
in a club or banquet hall of a hotel. Here the father of the bride-to-be
applies tilak to the boy’s forehead and the girl is made
to dress in finery given by her future in laws. These pre - matrimonial
ceremonies mark the formal engagement and also include a havan
conducted by a purohit. The bride to be is further showered in
jewelry, gifts and also presented a red chunni. Thereafter rings
are exchanged.
The Punjabi community has always been known to have a passion
for song and dance. This is reflected in the ‘Sangeet’
that is held by the prospective families of the boy and girl.
The family, relatives and friends present, sing traditional Punjabi
matrimonial songs that tease the boy and girl. The dancing is
electrifying and filled with energy. More gifts and sweet meats
are exchanged.
Just like every other bride in most of the Indian matrimonial
alliances, the Punjabi bride too looks forward to the Mehendi
ceremony. The henna to adorn the hands of the bride-to-be is sent
by the future mother-in-law. In the Punjabi community, it is believed,
that if the henna leaves a dark dye on the hands of the bride,
she will be loved well by her mother-in-law. A relative, friend
or a professional mehandiwali applies henna for the bride. This
again is followed by a lot of joyous singing and dancing. After
the mehendi, rich, delicious snacks are followed by a true Punjabi
meal.
The actual Punjabi matrimonial ceremony begins with the ’Chuda’
ritual. The eldest maternal uncle of the bride plays a vital role
here. The uncle and aunt along with the girl's parents are expected
to fast throughout the day or at least until the completion of
this matrimonial ceremony. A havan is performed by a Punjabi purohit,
after which the wrists of the bride are adorned by the chuda (a
set of red and cream ivory bangles). These matrimonial Chudas
are blessed by all present and signify good wishes. After this
the bride, for goodluck, also slips on an iron bangle, with shells
and beads. The girl’s cousin and friends, then tie kaliras
(silver, gold or gold plated traditional ornaments) to the chuda.
The Punjabi community believes that when the bride taps a female
friend or relative with the kaliras, that particular girl will
face a matrimonial alliance, next. The bride is then confined
to her home and this ceremony is known as the ‘Ghara Ghardoli
and Vatna’. The Punjabi bride then wears her old clothes
and sits with four lit diyas or oil lamps. This is believed to
bring glow to the girl’s face. The matrimonial glow on the
bride is further enhanced by applying vatna or uptan (a paste
of powdered turmeric and mustard oil). After her matrimonial bath,
the old clothes and ornaments are given away to the poor. Simultaneously,
the Punjabi wedding rituals of the ‘Ghara Ghardoli’
and the ‘Vatna’ ceremonies, are also performed for
the groom at his house.
