Marriage is a sacred partnership between two souls who decide to spend their whole life together. It is a remarkable phase of one’s life as it is the beginning of new life, a new chapter, new responsibilities and life’s new journey accompanied by your better half. Marriages in India are not lesser treated as a festival. In India, wedding is not between the two individuals rather it is between the two families followed by the many customs and rituals.
Every state, every community has its own traditions with their own significance.Today here we are going to tell you about the wedding and customs of one of the most beautiful states of India i.e. Uttarakhand also known as the “DEV BHOOMI” or the “Land Of God”.Wedding rituals in Uttarakhand vary by the different community and castes as one can see the varied religious structure because of the diverse cultures and communities. The series of activities that happen in the Pahadi wedding traditions are as follows: Sagai, Mehandi, Sangeet, Ganesh puja, Suwal Pathai, Duliargh, Vara Satkaarah, Varmala, Saptapadi, Pani Grahan, Kanya Daan, and the Vidaai.
Sagai/engagement– Engagement it is a pre-wedding ceremony where the girl and boy exchanged their rings and hence known as Ring Ceremony but in Pahadi wedding tradition, Father’s of both the girl and boy exchanged their rings rather than the would-be-couple. This Ceremony is a kind of formal announcement of the wedding and the date of the wedding is declared by Pandit Ji.
Wedding rituals are followed by various traditions and customs. The first and the foremost and which is common in every religion is Ganesh Puja. From ancient times, it is to be believed that any auspicious work in Hindu religion starts with offering prayers to Lord Ganesha or also known as the VIGHNAHARTA.
Tehri Nath-An important ritual in the Pahadi wedding is the “Tehri Nath” also known as Nathuli. It is basically a big nose ring of gold or pearls which are being given to bride either by groom’s family or by bride’s maternal uncle. Nath(nose ring) is worn by the Pahadi bride on her wedding day or on the special occasion. Tehri Nath or Nathuli is a sign of married women.
Rangwali Pichora– Another important and unique tradition in Pahadi wedding is a Rangwali Pihcora. It is necessary for married women to wear ‘Rangwali Pichaura’ during all the ceremonies. The Rangwali Pichora is a kind of a Dupatta with a rich saffron background and designs made with red dots. Pichora’ which is also called ‘Rangwali’ is a traditional ‘odhni’ or veil that is embellished with silver and gold tattings.The Rangwali Pichora is draped over the sari and has a saffron base which is embellished with red polka dots that are concentrated near the ‘swastika’ which is artistically made by using traditional motifs like the moon, bells, sun.
Suwal Pithai-Unlike other weddings, this is a unique ritual in Uttarakhand weddings which is held in the afternoon where in the dough is being prepared with wheat flour, rolled into thin chapattis and put to dry in sunlight after dipping in dry flour. These are fried in deep oil which is once dried and later offered as Prashad to God and served to guests and all the ladies sing traditional Mangal Geet while performing this ritual.
Duliargh-Duliargh or also known as the reception of Baraat.In this ceremony, the Baraat is welcomed by bride’s parent with garlands for men and rose for women as the groom approached along with family members, relatives, and friends at the wedding venue. An another ritual is being performed in the Duliargh ceremony where the groom and the priest are worshiped by Bride’s father because it is to be believed that the groom is positioned as Lord Vishnu. After that Tilak is applied on groom’s forehead by bride’s mother followed by Aarti.
Vidaai– Vidaai is an emotional moment for the bride and her parents, family, and relatives. As the bride take a step forward towards her new life with her partner, she throws a handful of rice and coins over her head which signifies that her parent’s house remains prosperous. Bride followed to the car with teary eyes. Vidaai witnessed both the moment of joy and separation at the same time.