Kashmiri Wedding

The Land and the People

Kashmiri weddings are held in the Kashmir Valley, in places like Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla. Kashmir is a land of snow-capped mountains, clear lakes and beautiful gardens. It is often called heaven on earth. The people are known for their love of poetry, food and crafts.

They are held by both Kashmiri Pandits, who are Hindu, and Kashmiri Muslims. Many Kashmiri Pandit families also live in Jammu, Delhi and other cities. The customs of the two communities are different. Both weddings are warm, rich and full of tradition. Each community keeps its old customs with pride.

How Long the Wedding Lasts

A Kashmiri wedding usually takes three to five days. In the past, it could take up to a week. The families spent many days in feasts and rituals. Today, the events are shorter, but the main customs remain.

A Pandit Wedding

In a Pandit wedding, the engagement is called Kasamdry. The families meet, and they promise to hold the wedding. They exchange gifts and sweets. The elders bless the couple and fix the date with the help of a priest.

The families clean the home in a ritual called Livun. The house is cleaned and decorated, and it is made ready for the guests. The rooms are painted, and the floors are washed. This ritual shows respect for the wedding and for the guests.

The night of Mehndi is called Maenziraat, and women sing songs called Vanvun. Vanvun songs are sung by women in groups, and they are sung in the Kashmiri language. The songs are sweet and full of blessings. Henna is applied to the bride’s hands and feet. The women sit together and celebrate late into the night.

The Devgon ritual is done to invite the family gods. The family prays and asks the gods to bless the wedding. On the wedding day, the bride’s family welcomes the groom, and the priest performs the rituals around the holy fire. The couple takes vows, and the elders bless them.

A Muslim Wedding

In a Muslim wedding, the main ceremony is the Nikah, which is read by a religious leader. The couple agrees to marry in front of witnesses. The religious leader reads prayers and gives advice to the couple. The Nikah is a simple and holy ceremony.

The groom promises Mahr to the bride. Mahr is a gift that the groom gives to the bride, and it belongs to her. It is a sign of respect and care. After the wedding, a big feast is held for the guests. The two families meet and share the meal.

Clothes and Jewelry

A Pandit bride wears a special ear ornament called Dejharu after marriage. The Dejharu is a long gold ornament that hangs from the ear. It is a sign of a married woman. She wears a pheran, a long loose robe, with rich embroidery. The groom wears a kurta or a suit. Muslim brides wear bright dresses and gold jewelry.

Food, Music and Fun

A Muslim Kashmiri feast is known as Wazwan, a meal with many meat dishes. Wazwan can have more than thirty dishes, and it is cooked by master chefs called Wazas. Guests sit in groups of four and share a big copper plate. The dishes are served one after another, and each has its own taste.

Guests also drink Kehwa, a warm tea with saffron and almonds. The tea is sweet, and it warms the body in the cold weather. Folk songs and light music add to the joy. A Kashmiri wedding is a beautiful mix of faith, food and hospitality.