Punjabi Wedding

The Land and the People

Punjabi weddings are held in Punjab, in northern India. They are also held in Haryana, Delhi and other parts of India. Punjabi families in the UK, Canada and the USA hold these weddings too. Punjab is a land of green fields, hard-working farmers and warm-hearted people. It is known for its music, its food and its love of life.

The weddings are known to be loud, colourful and full of dance. Both Hindu and Sikh Punjabi families have their own rituals. Their weddings share many customs, songs and dances. The Punjabi people love to celebrate, and a wedding is one of the biggest parties of all.

How Long the Wedding Lasts

A Punjabi wedding usually takes three to seven days. Big weddings can be even longer. There are many functions, and each has its own songs and food. The home is full of guests, and the kitchen is busy day and night.

Before the Wedding

The wedding begins with the Roka and Sagai, when the families agree on the match. In the Roka, the two families promise the wedding. In the Sagai, the couple exchanges rings and gifts. The families also share sweets. It is a happy day.

Sangeet is a lively night of Bhangra and Giddha. Bhangra is a dance of the men, and Giddha is a dance of the women. The dholak and the dhol play loud music. Family members perform songs and dances. There is a lot of fun and teasing.

Mehndi and Vatna are held for the bride and groom. In the Mehndi, henna is applied on the hands and feet of the bride. In Vatna, a paste of turmeric, oil and flour is rubbed on the bride and groom. The women sing songs and tease them.

In the Chura ceremony, the bride’s maternal uncle gives her red and white bangles. The bangles are traditionally worn by the bride for many days after the wedding. Her eyes are closed as the bangles are put on her arms. The bangles are blessed by the family.

Jaggo is a night when families dance and carry lit pots. Jaggo means wake up. The relatives dance in the street with decorated pots on their heads, and they sing songs. It is a happy and noisy night.

The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, the groom rides a horse in Ghodi Chadhna, and the Barat leaves with dhol. The groom’s sister and sister-in-law feed the horse. His friends and relatives dance in the street. The music is loud, and the mood is happy.

The families meet in Milni. The elders of both sides hug each other and exchange gifts and garlands. The couple exchanges garlands in the Jaimala. The bride and groom are often lifted in a playful way.

In a Sikh wedding, the couple takes four rounds around the holy book in the Anand Karaj. The holy book is the Guru Granth Sahib. It is placed on a raised seat. Hymns are sung as the couple walks around the book. Each round has a hymn and a meaning. The wedding takes place in the Gurdwara or in a hall.

In a Hindu wedding, the couple takes seven pheras around the holy fire. The priest chants mantras. The couple makes promises in each round. The wedding ends with Vidaai, and the bride leaves for her new home.

Clothes and Jewelry

The groom wears a sherwani with a colourful turban and a Sehra. The Sehra is a veil of flowers or beads that hangs from the turban. It is worn to keep away the evil eye. The bride wears a red lehenga with a Phulkari scarf and the Chura. The Phulkari is a scarf with flower designs stitched by hand. She wears gold jewelry, a nose ring and a headpiece.

Food, Music and Fun

The feast has dishes like butter chicken, sarson da saag and paneer. Lassi and sweets are served in big glasses and plates. There are also many breads, such as naan and makki di roti. The food is rich and cooked with plenty of butter and cream. A Punjabi wedding is a loud and lively party of food, music and dance. It leaves guests with happy memories.