Post-Wedding Traditions

Post-Wedding Customs and Rituals at the Groom's Home

📖 Table of Contents

Roos Badhava (Welcome Songs) :

When the wedding procession (Baraat) returns from another village and is about to reach the groom's home, traditional welcome songs called Badhava are sung. If the wedding takes place in the same town, these songs are sung before the bride and groom arrive at the house.

Paglya and Sankali Mandana:

Before the bride and groom enter the house, a traditional floor design called Sankali Mandana is created. A small opening is left in the design as a symbol of welcome and is closed after the bride enters.

Traditionally, Paglya (footprint designs) were also drawn in the courtyard to welcome the newlyweds.

Distribution of Auspicious Gifts:

To celebrate the groom's return with his bride, packets containing mehndi and sweets are distributed to seven senior women of the family as a symbol of good fortune.

In earlier times, these gifts were sent to relatives' homes as well.

Badhaidar Ceremony:

Traditionally, a son-in-law acted as the Badhaidar (bearer of congratulations) when the wedding procession returned. He was welcomed with a tilak and gifted money.

Today, any family member or guest may take on this role and receive a ceremonial gift envelope.

Welcoming the Bride and Groom:

When the bride and groom arrive, the groom's mother helps the bride step down from the vehicle, while the groom's father assists the groom.

The bride presents a silver cup gifted by her parents to her mother-in-law as a gesture of respect.

Baar-Rukai and Bride's Entry:

The groom's sisters playfully block the entrance to the house, preventing the couple from entering until gifts are offered. This custom is known as Baar-Rukai.

After receiving gifts, the sisters allow the couple to enter. During the entry, a silver vessel filled with water and sacred grass is placed on the bride's head.

The groom's mother performs an Aarti and blesses the couple.

Thaledi Ceremony:

Inside the entrance, seven decorated plates are arranged in a row.

The groom gently moves the plates aside with a ceremonial sword, while the bride carefully stacks them without making any sound and presents them to her mother-in-law.

This ritual symbolizes grace, patience, and household responsibility.

Seeking Blessings from Maya:

The bride and groom are taken to the family shrine or sacred place (Maya) to offer prayers and seek blessings.

Jaggery and Ghee Ritual:

The bride's hand is dipped into jaggery and ghee by her mother-in-law, symbolizing sweetness, prosperity, and abundance in her new life.

Temple Visit (Next Morning):

On the morning after the wedding, the bride and groom, dressed in their wedding attire, visit the family deity's temple and other important local temples.

They offer coconuts, garlands, and prayers and seek blessings for a happy married life.

Rang Bhaat and Family Feast :

A special meal called Rang Bhaat is organized to celebrate the bride's arrival.

Sons-in-law and close relatives are invited for lunch or dinner and are honored with gifts and blessings.

Sir-Goonthi (Bridal Hair Ceremony):

A senior female relative braids and adorns the bride's hair with traditional ornaments.

The bride is then blessed and presents a gift envelope as a mark of respect.

Lakhesari (Bangle Ceremony) :

Traditional red lac bangles are ceremonially worn by the bride.

The ceremony symbolizes good fortune, marital happiness, and the bride's new role within the family.

The bride seeks blessings from elders and offers them gifts as a sign of respect.

Suhaag Thaal Ceremony:

A special meal is served to the bride in a silver plate.

The groom first serves her food, and then the bride feeds the groom.

Senior women of the family also feed the bride as a gesture of love, acceptance, and blessings.

Juva-Jui (Ring Finding Game):

The bride and groom play a fun game where they search for a silver ring hidden in a bowl containing milk and water.

Family members cheer them on and enjoy playful teasing. The game is believed to strengthen bonding and friendship between the couple.

Opening the Kankan-Dora:

After the game, the bride and groom untie each other's sacred wedding threads (Kankan-Dora) and exchange them.

This ritual symbolizes mutual trust, partnership, and shared responsibilities.

Kothli Ceremony :

A cloth bag containing coins and a gold coin is presented to the bride.

She is asked to take out as many coins as possible. Finding the gold coin is considered a sign of good luck and prosperity.

The bride receives blessings from the elders after the ritual.

Pag Pakdai and Muh Dikhai:

The bride seeks blessings from senior family members by touching their feet.

In return, elders present her with gifts, cash envelopes, and blessings. This ceremony is known as Muh Dikhai (formal introduction of the bride).

The groom is also honored and gifted by senior male relatives.

Rati-Juga (Night of Songs) :

After dinner, women gather to sing traditional songs and celebrate the marriage.

Devotional songs are sung first, followed by wedding songs and blessings for the newly married couple.

Suhaag Raat (Wedding Night):

The bride's room is decorated with flowers.

Milk, sweets, dry fruits, and chocolates are arranged, and the groom presents special gifts to the bride.

Maya Uthana:

On an auspicious day, the temporary wedding shrine (Maya) is ceremonially concluded..

The family performs prayers, offers food to the deities, and expresses gratitude for the successful completion of the wedding.

Offering Prasad to Lord Ganesha :

To thank Lord Ganesha for the smooth completion of the wedding ceremonies, the family offers Churma (a traditional sweet) and prayers at the temple.

Bride's First Visit to Her Parental Home:

On an auspicious day, the bride is sent to her parental home with gifts, clothes, sweets, and blessings.

Mehndi is applied before her departure, and family members offer gifts to the relatives who come to escort her.

Changing the Bridal Ivory Bangles:

Traditionally, after 7 days, 11 days, or about one month, the bride's wedding ivory bangles are ceremonially replaced with red lac bangles during an auspicious time.

The ritual is accompanied by prayers, blessings, and gifts.

Gathjoda Pilgrimage :

After marriage, the couple visits important family temples while still symbolically connected through the Gathjoda (sacred wedding knot).

They offer prayers, coconuts, garlands, donations, and seek blessings for a prosperous married life.

Upon returning home, the family welcomes them, performs a tilak ceremony, and serves a traditional meal of Lapsi, rice, and lentil preparations.

Significance of Post-Wedding Rituals:

These customs and ceremonies help welcome the bride into her new family, strengthen relationships between relatives, seek divine blessings, and celebrate the beginning of married life with love, respect, harmony, and prosperity.