Malwi Wedding

The Land and the People

Malwi weddings are held in the Malwa region of central India. This region covers western Madhya Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan. Cities like Indore, Ujjain, Ratlam, Dewas and Mandsaur are part of it. Malwa has fertile land, old temples and busy market towns. Ujjain is one of the holy cities of India.

The people speak Malwi and follow Hindu customs. The weddings are warm, simple and full of folk songs. The people of Malwa are known for their friendly nature and their love of food. Malwa is also known for its rich and tasty street food.

How Long the Wedding Lasts

A Malwi wedding usually takes three to five days. Small family functions begin a few days before. The house is cleaned and decorated with flowers and lights. The relatives arrive, and the kitchen is busy day and night.

Before the Wedding

The wedding begins with Tilak and engagement, when the families exchange gifts. The bride’s family visits the groom’s home and puts a tilak on the groom’s forehead. They also give clothes, sweets and fruits. It is a sign that the wedding is fixed.

In the Haldi ritual, turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom at their homes. The women sing songs while they apply the paste. The bride and groom sit on a low stool and enjoy the attention. Mehndi is applied to the bride’s hands and feet. The henna designs are made by an artist, and they take a few hours to finish.

In the Bhaat or Mayra ritual, the maternal uncle brings gifts for the family. The uncle comes with his family, and they bring clothes, jewelry and sweets. The women sing songs to welcome them. It is a very old and loved ritual.

The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, the groom arrives in a Barat, riding a horse. The Barat comes with a band and dancers. The guests are dressed in their best clothes. The groom’s friends dance in front of the horse, and everyone has fun.

The bride’s family welcomes him with Dwar Puja, and the couple exchanges garlands. The bride’s parents put a tilak on the groom’s forehead and wave a lamp around him. The guests cheer as the couple exchanges garlands.

The priest performs Kanyadaan, and the couple takes the pheras around the sacred fire. The priest chants mantras. In each round, the couple makes a promise. The groom applies sindoor on the bride. The wedding ends with Vidai. The bride says goodbye to her family with tears and takes blessings from the elders.

Clothes and Jewelry

The groom wears a sherwani with a turban, and the bride wears a red lehenga. The bride wears gold jewelry, and her hands are full of henna and bangles. The groom may carry a sword or a small decoration in his turban. The dress is bright and rich.

Food, Music and Fun

Women sing Malwi folk songs and dance during the celebrations. The songs are sweet and are sung in the Malwi dialect. The feast may include Dal Bafla, poha and sweets like jalebi and malpua. Dal Bafla is a famous dish of Malwa. Bafla is a baked wheat ball, which is dipped in ghee and served with lentils. Indore is famous for its wedding food. The city is known for its many snacks and sweets. A Malwi wedding is a happy mix of food, song and family love.