The bride is then
dressed in her wedding attire. As per the Punjabi tradition, this
matrimonial attire may consist of a sari or a lehenga in traditional
colours like red, orange or magenta. She also adorns traditional
jewelry given by her parents. The Punjabi groom dresses in formal
traditional or modern attire. ‘Sehrabandi’ involves
the tying of the sehara and adorning of the groom’s head
with silver mukut (Crown). According to the Punjabi marriage custom,
the caretaker of the groom (Sarbala) also wears similar attire
to the groom and mounts the mode of transport which may either
be a horse or a car. This is a matrimonial procession known a
‘Baraat’.
In the Punjabi community, the ‘Milni’ ceremony is
where the groom and his relatives are welcomed with warmth, love
and flower garlands by the bride's close relatives. A ‘Shagun’
(consisting of cash and other things) is given to honour the groom
and his relatives. The matrimonial ceremony of the ‘Varmala’
is also held where the bride and groom exchange garlands. A lot
of fun and teasing is indulged in.
The Punjabi’s, generally have a mahurat or an auspicious
time for the actual matrimonial ceremony, which is usually after
dinner. When the ceremony is in progress, the groom’s shoes
are taken and hidden away by the girl’s side. These are
returned only in exchange for a reward given by the groom to the
girl’s side, at the end of the holy matrimonial ceremony.
The father does ‘Kanyadan’ (giving away of the bride).
This is followed by ’Pheras’ or circling of the sacred
fire by the couple. Blessings are then sought from the elders
after the pheras.
The Punjabi Marriage ends with a very touching and heart rending
post - matrimonial ceremony known as the ‘Vidaai’.
This marks the departure of the girl from her parent’s house
where she has been brought up with so much love. As she leaves
she throws behind her, a handful of puffed rice wishing prosperity
for the members of her paternal house. She then is taken away
in a majestic procession to her husband’s house where she
is welcomed by an aarti. The already eventful matrimonial day
ends with a grand ‘Reception’.
