Freshly ground turmeric mixed with fragrant extracts of jasmine and sandalwood is applied on the bride and the groom’s body.
Haldi ceremony is conducted a day prior to the wedding. In this ceremony, all the women are presented with different bangles of their choice. Churi ceremony may be held with the Sangeet function. Some communities may have different ceremonies within the Sangeet ceremony itself. Sangeet ceremony also involves pampering the bride as she is nearing the last stage of her single life. Elders of the house sing traditional songs and bless the bride. Bride’s friends revel in teasing the bride about her future husband. Sangeet ceremony consists of music, dance and fun. Sangeet ceremony is held in the house of the bride and the groom separately. The groom has to find the name in post wedding rituals. Mother of the bride may also ask the Mehndi artist to write the groom’s name amidst the Mehndi design. Mehndi is often organized in evenings and guests are offered sumptuous dinner. Modern day brides may opt for simple Arabic Mehndi designs on the back of the hand and traditional Indian designs on the palm. Other women may also indulge in applying simple Arabic Mehndi designs on their hands. An expert Mehndi artist then draws intricate Mehndi designs containing auspicious symbols on bride’s hands and feet. Mother of the bride applies a small dot of Mehndi on bride’s small finger. Female guests are invited to participate in the Mehndi function that is marked with music and dance. Mehndi ceremony is organized by the women of the house.
This is one of the most awaited wedding rituals. Mangni Ceremony is known as wedding engagement or wedding nishwayam in south india Photo of Traditional Wedding Engagement in India Sagaai ceremony marks the mutual agreement and consent for marriage by both the families. It is accompanied by fun, dance and music. Sagaai is a grand affair just like the wedding ceremony.
Mangni or Sagaai refers to the engagement ceremony where the girl and boy exchange rings in the presence of the elders and friends. Image Courtesy: Mangni ceremony, Misri or Sagaai: Acceptance of the shagun by the bride signifies her formal consent to be the daughter in law of the family. Jewelry and sweets are also added to the Shagun. On the day of the Shagun, groom’s mother visits the bride’s house with gifts, clothes, betel nut, rice and incense. This date may be calculated with help of astral calendar often known as Panchanga. Once the girl and the boy have consented to the marriage, the elders in the families chose an auspicious date for the shagun ceremony. Traditionally the shagun ceremony holds an important place in the pre-wedding rituals.