Marwari Wedding

The Land and the People

Marwari weddings are held by the Marwari community. The Marwaris come from the Marwar region of Rajasthan, around Jodhpur. This is a land of deserts, forts and palaces. The Marwaris have been traders for many centuries, and they are known for their business skills and their hard work.

Many Marwari families now live in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Guwahati and other cities. The weddings are grand and rich in traditions. They are known for beautiful clothes, music and big family gatherings. The Marwari people are proud of their culture, and they take great care to keep the old customs alive.

How Long the Wedding Lasts

A Marwari wedding usually takes three to seven days. Some very big weddings can go on even longer. Each day has its own function, and the family plans every detail with care. Relatives come from many cities, and they stay together in the family home or in hotels.

Before the Wedding

The wedding begins with the Roka or Sagai when the families agree on the match. The families meet and exchange gifts, sweets and dry fruits. The elders bless the couple. It is a sign that the wedding will take place.

Ganesh Puja is done to start the wedding on a holy note. The family prays to Lord Ganesha and asks him to remove all problems. The priest chants mantras, and the family offers sweets to the god. Many families hold this puja a few days before the wedding.

In Pithi, turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom in their homes. Women of the family sing songs and apply the paste on the bride and groom. They also give them a bath. The ritual is done for several days before the wedding.

Mehndi is applied to the bride and women of the family, along with songs and dance. The henna designs are very fine, and they may take many hours to finish. The women sit together, sing and laugh. The night is full of joy.

The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, the groom leaves home for the Barat riding a decorated horse. His friends and relatives dance in front of him with drums and music. The groom looks like a prince, dressed in his royal clothes. The Barat moves slowly through the street, and people come out to watch.

At the bride’s home, he touches the entrance arch, called a Toran, with a stick in a fun ritual. This is an old custom, and it is done to drive away evil. The bride’s mother and the women of the bride’s family greet the groom. They sing songs and tease him in a friendly way.

The couple exchanges garlands in Jaimala. The friends of both sides try to lift the bride and groom, and the moment is full of fun. Then the priest performs Kanyadaan and the pheras. The bride’s parents give away their daughter with a full heart. The couple takes the pheras around the holy fire and makes promises to each other. The wedding ends with Vidaai. The bride says goodbye to her family, and her parents bless her.

Clothes and Jewelry

The groom often wears an Achkan or a Sherwani with a red turban and a jewel called Sarpech. The Sarpech is a piece of jewelry pinned to the front of the turban, and it gives the groom a royal look. He may also carry a sword. The bride wears a red lehenga with gold jewelry. She wears a necklace, earrings, bangles, a nose ring and a headpiece. The clothes have fine embroidery, and the colours are bright.

Food, Music and Fun

Marwari food includes Dal Baati Churma, Gatte ki Sabzi and sweets like Ghevar. Dal Baati Churma is a famous Rajasthani dish. The baati is a hard wheat ball baked and dipped in ghee. It is served with lentils and churma, a sweet crumbled dish. Gatte ki Sabzi is a curry made of gram flour dumplings. Ghevar is a sweet in the shape of a disc, made with flour and soaked in syrup. Marwari food is mostly vegetarian. The celebrations are full of music, dance and family games. A Marwari wedding is a grand and colourful festival of family and tradition.