Rajasthan is well-known for its regal culture and lifestyle. Rajasthani weddings are no exception, and they are lavish ceremonies brimming with majesty, flair, and culture. From the pre-wedding festivities to the post-wedding activities to the wedding day functions, feasts, music, and dancing to the wedding clothes, everything is royal in its own way.
These are some of the most fascinating Rajasthani wedding traditions you’ll ever come across. Continue reading to learn how to incorporate a royal Rajasthani flair into your own wedding.
Pre-wedding rituals
Tilak Ceremony, Ganpati Sthapana, Pithi Dastoor, Mehfil, Mahira Dastoor, Palla and Janev Ceremony, and Nikasi are some of the traditional Rajasthani wedding pre-wedding events.
In a traditional Rajasthani wedding, all of the women in the family and the surrounding area get together and sing traditional wedding songs till the big day arrives. The Ganpati Sthapana and Grih Shanti rites are then done three to four days before the wedding, to ward off evil and ensure that the wedding rituals go off without a hitch.
Wedding Rituals
The wedding rituals of Aarti and Saat Phere are part of a Rajasthani wedding. At the wedding venue’s entry gate, the bride’s mother welcomes the groom with tilak and aarti, then tugs the groom’s nose before taking him inside by the bride’s brother.
The principal wedding rite is the Saat Phere, during which the bride and groom make seven rounds around the holy fire and swear to remain husband and wife for the rest of their lives.
Post-wedding rituals
The bride is welcomed into the groom’s home after the wedding day rites, and a series of rituals are performed, including the Jua Khilai, Vidai-Paharavni, Bahu Agaman, Devi Devata Puja, Ganga Puja, Sirguthi, Suhaagthal Chura Pehenana, Paga-Lagni, Pag Phera, and Phool Sajja. Jua Khilai is a Rajasthani wedding tradition in which the bride and groom are forced to perform a few games by an elderly woman. This happens the morning after the wedding at the bride’s house. The bride’s family members present their son-in-law with a coconut, ‘nek’ (money), and other presents as part of the Vidai-Paharavni rite. The Bahu Agaman, which portrays the bride entering her home for the first time, comes next.
The Devi Devata pooja is completed after the day of Bahu Agaman. This puja is performed by the bride and groom by depositing four bricks outside the house’s gate. On the bricks, a red tikka and rice are placed, and a coconut is broken.
They then proceed to a local Hanuman temple to finish the rite. During the Sirguthi ritual, the groom’s sister-in-law and sisters apply cosmetics to the bride and comb her hair.
Rajasthani Cuisine
There are several delectable foods in a typical Rajasthani wedding meal. They specialise in vegetarian cuisine, however they may offer a few non-vegetarian options as well.
Some traditional Rajasthani wedding foods are Dal Baati Choorma, Methi Bajra Puri, Shahi Gatte, Ker Sangri, Gatte ke Pulao, Laal Maas, Mawa Kachori, Ghevar, and Balushahi.
These meals will leave your guests drooling if you include them on your menu.
Rajasthani Bride
In a typical Rajasthani wedding, the bride’s gown is full of brilliant colours and rich handwork embroidery. In a traditional Rajasthani wedding, the bride’s lehenga-choli is made of silk and embellished with colourful stones and gems.
Hand-embroidered traditional motifs and floral patterns adorn the bride’s ghagra.
An odhni is a traditional Rajasthani wedding gown that is incomplete without it. An odhni is a heavily decorated headgear.
To give her a royal aspect, a Rajasthani bride often wears a lot of jewellery. Rakhri, a forehead ring, Timaniyaan, a diamond-studded choker, Chooda, a set of gold and ivory bangles, Bajubandh, an armlet, Bichhiya, a toe ring, and the Nose ring are all worn by Rajasthani brides.
Rajasthani Groom
The groom wears a long coat called the Achkan, as well as Churidars and royal shoes, in his traditional Rajasthani wedding attire. Their royal headgear, which is adorned with stones and gems, ties the entire ensemble together.
The Serpech, a piece of jewellery that is worn on the turban by a Rajasthani groom, completes his attire. Their waists are also adorned with a long necklace and a Kamarbandh. In their traditional attire, a Rajasthani groom resembles regal.
These customs are what distinguishes a Rajasthani wedding as regal in its own right.
