India is known for its rich traditions, customs, rituals, and beliefs in all over the world that vary in accordance with the religion. All the events, celebrations and occasions have some old age beliefs associated with them.

In India, weddings are considered to be a very auspicious occasion for the brides and grooms where all the pre and post wedding and wedding day rituals hold a special significance. That is the prominent reason why every possible measure is taken to ward off the evil eyes (Buri Nazar) and negative spirits on the bride and groom so that newlywed couples can cherish a happy and healthy married life ahead.

Although these beliefs and superstitions may surprise many as we are a part of modern society, there are a number of beliefs that are practised in Indian weddings. Let’s spare a minute to know about some interesting beliefs associated with Hindu weddings.

• Spilling of Milk

The family members should take care of boiling milk during the wedding celebrations. It is considered as inauspicious if the boiling milk spills before, after and during the wedding day. It is believed that the spilling of milk signifies the pending misfortune.

• Bride carries a knife with her

The bride is asked to keep a knife (or matchsticks) with her all the time right after the engagement until the day she gets married. It is a belief that carrying a knife and any other sharp metallic object protects the bride from evil spirits.

• Dark colour of Mehandi

The bride applies Mehandi on her hands and feet before the wedding day. It is believed that the dark colour of henna application signifies that she will get a lot of love from her husband and in-laws. The deeper colour of Mehandi is also an indication of stronger marriage.

• Designing your wedding Outfit

A to-be-bride should not give it a thought to designing her wedding dress as it is considered that it brings misfortune.

• Lending your wedding attire

According to some beliefs, it is said that lending of your wedding dress may bring good luck to the borrower but it supposedly brings bad luck to you. So, think twice before you decide to give your wedding outfit to someone else.

• Rain on big d-day

Though everyone wants to have pleasant weather on the day of the wedding but Indians has some different belief regarding it. Rain on the wedding day is termed sacred and believes to be a sign of immense wealth and fertility.

• Custom of kalire fall

In north Indian weddings especially Punjabi weddings, Kalire ceremony is observed at the dawn of wedding day. The bride-to-be wears Chooda and her friends and cousins tie Kalires on it. It is said that the soon-to-be bride moves her hands on the head of the unmarried girl. If the kalires fall on someone’s head, she is the one who is going to marry.

• Good and Bad Omen

According to some popular beliefs, seeing or spotting a black cat and rainbow on the day of marriage is considered to be good omen whereas seeing a pig, a lizard and grave are said to bring bad omen.

• Showering rice at bride and groom

In some cultures, the bride and groom are showered with rice. This practice is considered as a symbol of abundance and fertility. This ritual also protects the bride and the groom with evil eyes.

• Stepping the right foot

It is a deep belief that bride should cross the threshold with the right foot first as stepping left foot while entering the new home is considered as unlucky.

• Send lentil balls to the groom’s house

In some cultures, bride-to-be prepares small lentil balls (chana dal) along with seven married women, a week before the wedding. These balls are then sent to the groom’s place having a belief that the house will be filled with enough food.

• Watch full moon

It is believed that your married life will be filled with immense good luck and happiness if a full moon falls one or two days before the wedding ceremony.

• Pay attention while picking the dishes

In several parts of India, the bride is said to pick 7 silver dishes from the floor without making any sound as more the sound from the utensils, more the couples will fight.

• Don’t see each other’s face

Yeah! You read it right. There is some belief that meeting of the would-be couple before the wedding brings bad luck. They are advised not to meet with each other until the wedding day.