Jat Wedding

The Land and the People

Jat weddings are held by the Jat community. Jats live mainly in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. They are a farming community, and they are known for being strong, hard-working and proud. Jats are also known for their courage, and many join the army and sports.

The weddings are joyful and lively, with a strong village feeling. They are known for warmth, folk songs and a big family gathering. Relatives and friends from many villages come to join in. The food is rich, and the songs are loud.

How Long the Wedding Lasts

A Jat wedding usually takes three to five days. Small rituals begin a few days before the main day. The women gather every evening to sing and dance. The men look after the tents and the food. By the wedding day, the whole village is excited.

Before the Wedding

The wedding begins with the Roka or Sagai when the families agree on the match. The elders of the bride’s family visit the groom’s home and give him gifts. The two families share sweets and meals. This is a promise that the wedding will take place.

In many Jat families, women worship the potter’s wheel in a ritual called Chak Pooja. The women go to the potter’s home and worship the wheel. They bring back clay pots for the wedding. The potter’s wheel is a symbol of creation and of the cycle of life. It is a way of asking for blessings for the wedding.

In Baan, oil and turmeric are applied to the bride and groom at their homes. Women sing folk songs as they apply the paste. Sisters and cousins tease the bride and groom. The bride and groom sit on a low stool and enjoy the attention.

The maternal uncle brings gifts and clothes in the Bhaat ritual. He comes with a group of relatives, and they bring clothes, sweets and jewelry for the family. It is a proud moment for the uncle, and it shows the strong bond between brother and sister.

The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, the groom rides a horse in Ghurchadi, and the Barat travels with dhol and music. The groom’s sister-in-law puts kajal on his eyes to keep away the evil eye. His friends and cousins dance around the horse, and they shower coins and flowers.

The bride’s family welcomes them, and the families meet in Milni. The elders hug each other and exchange gifts. The couple exchanges garlands and takes the pheras around the sacred fire. The priest chants mantras, and the couple takes their vows. The bride then says goodbye in Vidai. The family and friends cry, and the bride leaves for her new home.

Clothes and Jewelry

The groom wears a kurta, a turban and often a sherwani. The turban is a symbol of honour. The bride wears a red lehenga or a Ghagra with a long scarf. She wears silver and gold jewelry, and her hands are full of bangles. The clothes are colourful and rich.

Food, Music and Fun

The feast has rich food made of milk, ghee and wheat. Curd, buttermilk and sweets are served in plenty. The Jats love good food, and the wedding is a time when everyone eats well. Folk songs and dances are a big part of the fun. The women dance in circles, and the men dance to the beat of the dhol. A Jat wedding is a lively feast of family and folk culture.