Nepali Wedding

The Land and the People

Nepali weddings are held by Nepali-speaking communities. They are held in Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Assam and parts of Uttarakhand. The Himalayas are the home of many Nepali families, and the hills and the mountains shape their life. Many Nepali-speaking families live in other cities of India too.

Nepali Hindu weddings follow old Vedic rituals. Different communities, such as Brahmin, Chhetri, Newar and Gurung, have their own small customs. Some communities follow Buddhism or other faiths. The weddings are joyful and colourful. Music, dance and food are a big part of them.

How Long the Wedding Lasts

A Nepali wedding usually takes three to five days. The small rituals begin a few days before the main day. The house is cleaned and decorated. Relatives come from far away, and the kitchen is busy. The family keeps the mood light and full of fun.

Before the Wedding

The wedding begins with Magni, when the families agree on the match and exchange gifts. The groom’s family visits the bride’s home. They bring clothes, sweets, fruits and jewelry. The families share a meal. The elders bless the couple. A formal request for the bride’s hand is made.

A priest picks a lucky date. He looks at the horoscopes of the bride and groom and finds a good day and time. The family then sends out invitations. Before the wedding, the bride and groom have turmeric applied at their homes. The women of the family apply the paste and sing songs. It is a happy and cheerful time.

The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, the groom’s party, called the Janti, travels to the bride’s home with music. The Janti is a lively group of relatives and friends. They dance along the road. Musicians play drums, horns and the Panche Baja, a traditional band. The music can be heard from far away.

The bride’s family welcomes them at the door. They put a tilak on the groom’s forehead, and they wave a lamp around him. The guests are served tea and snacks. The bride’s family takes care to make the guests comfortable.

The bride’s parents do Kanyadaan, and the couple takes the seven steps around the sacred fire. The priest chants mantras, and the family sits around. Each step is a promise of love and care. The groom applies red sindoor to the bride’s forehead and gives her a green bead necklace called Pote. The Pote is a sign of a married woman. It is worn every day.

The bride then says goodbye and goes to the groom’s home. It is an emotional moment for the bride and her family. Her parents and friends bless her. At the groom’s home, the family welcomes her with a lamp, and she begins her new life.

Clothes and Jewelry

The bride wears a red sari with gold jewelry and Pote. She also wears a Tilhari, which is a gold necklace, and big earrings. She may wear a red shawl over her head. Her hands are full of red bangles. The groom wears a Daura Suruwal with a Dhaka topi, which is a traditional cap. The Daura Suruwal is a long shirt and trousers. The Dhaka topi is made of colourful cloth. The dress is neat and proud.

Food, Music and Fun

Folk songs and dances are a big part of the fun. The guests dance in circles, and the songs are lively. The dance called Maruni is loved by many. The feast has rice, curry, meat or vegetables, and sweets. Dal Bhat is the main dish of Nepal. It is rice served with lentils and vegetables. Sel Roti, a ring-shaped rice bread, is a favourite in many homes. A Nepali wedding is a happy mix of dance, food and the warm family spirit.