Kinnauri Wedding

The Land and the People

Kinnauri weddings are held in Kinnaur, a district of Himachal Pradesh. Villages like Kalpa, Sangla, Reckong Peo and Nako are part of this area. Kinnaur is a land of high mountains, apple orchards and old monasteries. The Kinnaur Kailash peak is a holy mountain for the people.

The Kinnauri people follow both Hindu and Buddhist customs. Many villages have both temples and monasteries. Their weddings are shaped by the mountains and the close village life. In the past, some families in Kinnaur followed polyandry, but it is very rare today. Polyandry means that a woman marries more than one brother in a family. Today, most families follow the one-husband, one-wife custom.

How Long the Wedding Lasts

A Kinnauri wedding usually takes three to five days. Journeys in the hills can also add extra days. The villages are far apart, and the roads are steep. So the Barat may have to travel for a long time to reach the bride’s home. The wedding is a big event for both villages.

Before the Wedding

The families first talk and agree on the match. The elders of both sides meet. They talk about the boy and the girl, their families and their homes. If everyone is happy, the families agree. It is a matter of pride and respect.

A priest or a lama picks a lucky date. The lama is a Buddhist teacher. The priest is a Hindu teacher. Families choose the one who follows their faith. The date is chosen by looking at the stars and old books. Gifts are exchanged between the two families. These include clothes, sweets, food and sometimes local drinks.

The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, the groom’s party walks or travels to the bride’s village with drums and horns. The music can be heard for miles across the hills. The men and women of the Barat wear their best clothes. They dance and sing on the way. Along the road, villagers come out to greet them.

The bride’s family welcomes the party with songs and local drinks. The drink is called Chhang or Lugri, and it is made from barley or rice. The guests are seated, and they are served food and drink. The bride’s family takes great care of the visitors.

The main rituals are done in front of a holy fire, with prayers from the priest. In families that follow Buddhism, the lama says prayers instead. The couple takes their vows and receives the blessings of the elders. The prayers are read slowly and the family listens.

Elders bless the couple with gifts. They may give clothes, money or silver items. The bride then goes to the groom’s home after a tearful farewell. Her family and friends say goodbye, and the women of the village sing farewell songs.

Clothes and Jewelry

The groom wears a Kinnauri cap with a green band. The cap is round and made of wool. It is a proud symbol of Kinnaur. The bride wears a wrap called Dohru and heavy silver jewelry. The Dohru is a woollen shawl, which is pinned at the shoulders. She wears silver necklaces, earrings and a big silver belt. The jewelry is very heavy and often passed down through many generations.

Food, Music and Fun

Guests enjoy a local drink called Chhang and hill food. The food includes rice, dal, local vegetables, meat and bread. Dry fruits such as apricots, almonds and walnuts are common. The Nati folk dance goes on late into the night. In the Nati, people hold hands in a circle and move slowly to the beat of the drums. The dance is joyful and simple. A Kinnauri wedding is a proud celebration of mountain life.