All about the Marwari Agarwal Wedding Rituals & Customs
The Marwaris hale from the desert region of Rajasthan called 'Mar war'. They basically have the same customs and practices as those of other Hindus, but variations definitely exist depending on the states.
Marwari's are known to be frivolous people, enamored of pleasure and luxury as showcased in the grandeur of their weddings. They are known to be particular about their ancient customs and traditions. If you have ever visited a Marwari wedding you must have observed their pre wedding, wedding and post wedding rituals. Its only after they abide with these ceremonies would the wedding be deemed as complete.Particularly the Agarwal marriages are also rather regal in look and appeal. Wedding rituals are life time events to cherish and celebrate because it is a one time event. India is a country with diversity owing to its numerous states that have different languages, cultures and traditions. The Marwari Agarwal community is majorly from the North regions of India whose weddings are rich with traditions and rituals and celebrations that generally last for upto a week. The essence in the wedding is about two families collaborating and not just about the individual bride and groom. They display a unique and extravagant celebration with a beautiful marriage ceremony that holds a special significance and relevance to one's life
Wedding rituals commence either 4 or 6 days before their great day accounting to a 5 or 7 days of total celebration including the main wedding day. This is performed at their respective venues.
A Peep into the Wedding Attire for the Typical Marwari Agarwals Agarwal grooms
In ancient days the Marwari men did not have much of a preparation they needed for their wedding day. Once their Sherwanis were purchased all they did was shave their beard, wear on their outfit, comb their hair and spray some perfume on their big day.Things have changed now, and the men are also become very conscious about the way they look and present themselves be it any occasion. The Marwari groom takes as much interest to look good and make sure he's got all his appointments scheduled for, right from his stylish hairstyle appointments, to him working out at the gym, so that he looks fit and great on the most special day of his life.
The groom has numerous options for his outfit which include achkan, sherwani, kurta dhoti ,kurta pajama, western suits along with his variety in accessories like watch, cufflinks, tie pins, belts, shoes, and the like. Since In a wedding it's all eyes on the bride and groom and we all are aware that there isn't a single person among the guests who is not looking at them. It's important for both of them to look their very best, on the wedding day.
Speaking about the best attire for an agarwal groom, its without a doubt the sherwanis that counts amongst the most stylish and sharp dressing options for the groom. Sherwani is definitely his ultimate wedding attire.
Gorgeous Agarwal Bridal Jewellery & Lehenga
Jewelry is important as it makes the overall attire of the Marwari bride just adorable.In Fact a bride is believed to be incomplete without her exquisite jewellery. The ideal jewellery colour for the agarwal brides is yellow gold, nevertheless some also wear diamond, platinum or white gold jewellery depending on the budget. Their outfits are very extravagant and pompous lehenga-choli or sari
The Brides today especially in North India are all about their lehenga-choli. The bridal lehenga choli is draped with a lot of embellishments, to give it a very radiant and luxurious finish.
A Glimpse into the Agarwal wedding ceremonies
Mudha-Tikka or ceremonyBeing a very important ceremony its main purpose is to make a formal announcement of this new relationship. In this ceremony the bride's father, brother including the other elder males of the family put a Tikka for the groom on his forehead expressing that they accept and welcome him into their family. Gifts are also offered to the groom and his family by the bride's father and other males.
Godh BharaiThe bride is escorted by her entourage consisting of siblings, cousins, and friends to the function where her godh ceremony will be held. This is an exciting ceremony when the groom's sister places on the lap of the bride on beautiful trays gifts, toys, cosmetics, dry fruits etc. This entire presentation of special gifts covey the message of a blissful happy married life.
SangeetThis represents a musical get together with all the female friends and relatives of the bride. The beautiful bride all elegant and gorgeous are adorned in fine jewellery is made to sit on a silver chowkri. She is surrounded by her family and the groom's family. They harmonize lovely, marriage songs and enjoy together a fun filled Folk music and dance session
MehndiMehndi is another very lovely and much awaited ceremony where the young girls get a chance to make Intricate henna designs on their hands and feet along with the bride. The groom's family sends the bride the henna and the ceremony is conducted in the brides residence before the wedding day. All the ladies smear elegant mehndi designs to their hands during this ceremony.
Haldi ceremonyThis ceremony is a ritual bath with the mustard oil, herbs, fresh milk, curd, henna and turmeric into a paste. The family members use a grass brush to apply this paste on the knees, feet, arms, shoulders, face and head of the bride and groom respectively.
KangnaThis is a sacred thread tied on the right wrist of the groom and bride and is performed on the wedding day itself.
Ganesh PujaThis puja marks the beginning of the wedding festivities and its main objective is to ward off all obstacles that could come on the way of the wedding taking place. It basically is done to invoke the lord and dispel any evils. Ganpati pujas is done to open the heavens for blessing and good fortune.The bride is worshipped as Goddess Gauri or Parvati (consort of Lord Shiva), who is considered the perfect wife.
Wedding Day Rituals
The wedding celebrations of the Agarwal marriage are the Korath, Baraat, Baraat Swagat, Varmala, Kanyadaan, Seer Guthi, and Chuda.This ceremonial begins with the groom's family blessing the groom and places a turban on his head. The other term given to this ceremony is Sehra Bandi after which he mounts a decorated white mare and the whole baraat proceeds towards the venue. This ceremony is also popular as Sehra Bandhai and after that only the groom mounts a decorated white mare. After this ceremony, the whole baraat proceeds towards the wedding venue which is the Toran ceremony. After the Toran ceremony the bride's father conducts the next ritual which is Bateri pooja. He offers gifts to groom and the groom assures him that he will abide with all the sacred rituals of the wedding as prescribed by religious duty.
They perform the Neem Jhadai which is a typical Agarwal wedding tradition, where the bride's sister sprinkles water from the neem trees twig on the groom to protect her brother-in-law from all evil eyes and any harm. In exchange she gets a small gift from the groom. The mother of the bride then performs an aarti on the groom, by doing this she blesses him and he is taken to the mandap
Pani Grahan or Hast Milapis a ritual performed by the father of the bride where the father gives away his daughter to the groom in the presence of all the guests and relatives .The groom then takes his beautiful brides hand into his as a sign that she now belongs to him. The bride and groom then put the Varmala or exchange garlands to each other
Seer-Guthi ceremonyThe centre of the brides hair is filled with kumkum after parting the brides hair right to her.The Groom's sister braids her hair with mouli and fills the bride's parting with vermillion and a nose ring is presented to the bride. Then they have the Chuda or bangle ceremony where the grooms mother gives the bride glass bangles.
Gathbandhan and Mangal Phera the conclusionThis marriage ceremony is performed in the presence of the agni or sacred fire. The couple takes seven rounds or The "Saat Pheras" around the sacred fire while the pundit chants mantras. The groom then applies vermilion powder or Sindoor to his bride's forehead and a Mangalsutra is put around her neck .This concludes their wedding rituals.
Agarwal wedding adhere firmly to the ancient customs and traditions. Their tradition and ritual comprises of a number of pre weddings, wedding and post wedding ceremonies observed by all. They follow it right from the puja to their dressing faithfully Despite the modern culture that seeps in with the lights of dance and dj nights etc, yet the agarwals do not compromise to maintaining their traditional values inherited from their ancestors.
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