Brij Wedding

The Land and the People

Brij weddings are held in the Braj region of India. This region includes Mathura, Vrindavan, Agra, Aligarh and Hathras in Uttar Pradesh. It also includes parts of Rajasthan, such as Bharatpur and Dholpur. Braj is a holy land for many Hindus, because it is the land where Lord Krishna is said to have spent his childhood.

The people of Braj are known for their love of Lord Krishna. This love can be seen in their wedding songs and rituals. Many songs speak of Radha and Krishna, and their love story is a model of true devotion. The people speak Brij Bhasha, a sweet and old language, which is also the language of many old poems.

How Long the Wedding Lasts

A Brij wedding usually lasts three to five days. Family functions begin many days before the wedding day. The house is cleaned, and relatives come from far away. Each day, the women of the house sing songs and prepare sweets.

Before the Wedding

The wedding starts with a Tilak and engagement ceremony. The families meet, exchange gifts and fix the date. A priest often picks the best day for the wedding. This event is a happy get-together for both families.

Haldi and Mehndi are held at both homes with lots of songs. The bride and groom are rubbed with turmeric paste, and the bride’s hands are painted with henna. The women dance and clap as they sing the old songs of Braj.

In a custom called Bhaat, the maternal uncle of the bride or groom brings gifts for the family. The uncle is an important person in the family. He brings clothes, sweets and money for his sister, his nephew or his niece. This ritual shows the strong bond between a brother and a sister.

The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, the groom arrives in a Barat with dhol and music. The guests dance in the street, and the band plays lively songs. The groom may ride a horse, and his friends dance around him.

The families meet in a ritual called Milni. The elders of both sides hug each other and exchange garlands and gifts. This is a formal greeting, and it is also a happy moment of friendship. Then comes the Jaimala, and the bride and groom exchange garlands. Later, the couple takes the pheras around the sacred fire. The priest chants mantras, and the couple makes promises to each other.

The wedding ends with Vidai and a welcome at the groom’s home. The bride says goodbye to her family, with tears and blessings. At the groom’s home, the women welcome her with a lamp and songs.

Clothes and Jewelry

The bride wears a red or a bright-coloured lehenga or sari. She wears gold jewelry and her hands are full of henna designs. The groom wears a sherwani or a kurta with a turban. The colours of the dress are bright and joyful, and the wedding looks like a festival.

Food, Music and Fun

Women sing folk songs about Radha and Krishna. Some weddings also have Rasiya, a form of Braj folk music. The songs are sweet and full of devotion. Sweets like peda and snacks like kachori are common at the feast. Milk and milk sweets are loved in Braj, so many dishes are made from milk. The joyful songs and the love for Krishna make a Brij wedding warm and holy.