Parsi Wedding

The Land and the People

Parsi weddings are held by the Parsi community, who follow the Zoroastrian faith. Parsis live mainly in Mumbai, Gujarat, Pune and Delhi. Many Parsi families also live in other countries. The community came to India from Persia many centuries ago. They settled first on the coast of Gujarat, and they slowly spread to other places.

The Parsis are a small community, but they have done great work in business, medicine, art and public life. Their faith teaches good thoughts, good words and good deeds. Parsi weddings are simple, neat and full of good food. The Parsis love to celebrate, and a wedding is a happy occasion for the whole family.

How Long the Wedding Lasts

A Parsi wedding usually takes one to two days. In the past, the celebrations could take up to four days. Today, most weddings are held in a day, with a few small functions before it. The main ceremony is held in the evening, and it is followed by a dinner.

Before the Wedding

The wedding begins with a gift ceremony called Adarni, where the families exchange gifts. The bride’s family gives gifts to the groom’s family, and the groom’s family does the same. The gifts include clothes, jewelry, money and sweets. The families meet, share a meal and bless the couple. It is a way of building love between the two families.

In Madavsaro, a mango sapling is planted as a sign of new life and good luck. The family plants the sapling in a pot, and they decorate it with flowers. It is a way of asking for a growing and happy family. The women of the family sing songs, and the mood is cheerful. The mango tree is a symbol of prosperity.

The families also share a tray of gifts called a Ses. The Ses is a silver tray that holds a coconut, rice, betel leaves, flowers, a small pot of water and other holy items. It is used in many Parsi rituals, and it stands for good luck and blessings. The tray is passed between the families.

The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, the groom’s mother welcomes the bride in a ritual called Achu Michu. She waves coconut, rice and water over the couple and wishes them well. She also waves a raw egg, a betel nut and a date around the bride and groom. These are signs of luck and life. She then breaks the egg and the coconut on the ground to remove any evil. It is a warm, loving ritual.

In the Ashirvad, two priests sit before the couple and say prayers. The priests speak in old Persian and Gujarati. They pray for a long and happy life, and they bless the couple. The bride and groom sit on chairs, facing each other, with a cloth between them.

The priests wrap a thread around the couple seven times as they hold hands. The thread is a sign of the bond between them. With each turn, the priests say a prayer. The guests watch quietly. The cloth is then removed. The couple throws rice on each other. It is a playful moment, and the guests laugh.

The couple exchanges rings, and the priests bless them with rice. They sign the marriage papers in front of witnesses. The families greet the couple with love. Guests come up one by one to give their good wishes and small gifts.

Clothes and Jewelry

The bride wears a Gara sari, which has fine embroidery. The Gara is a silk sari with pretty designs of flowers, birds and trees, sewn by hand. Many Gara saris are very old and they are treasured by the family. The bride wears simple gold or pearl jewelry, and a garland. The groom wears a white coat and a hat. The hat is a black or white cap, and the dress is neat and simple.

Food, Music and Fun

The wedding feast is famous for Patra ni Machhi, which is fish steamed in a banana leaf. The fish is covered with a green chutney of coconut, coriander and mint. Lagan nu Custard is a sweet dish loved by all. It is made with milk, eggs, sugar, nuts and spices. The feast is served on banana leaves, and it has many dishes, such as pulao, dal and chicken. The guests are also served sweet curd and sev. There is also a lively band, and the guests dance. A Parsi wedding is a happy meeting of faith, food and family.