Gujarat is a culturally diverse state. Gujaratis, with their customs, rituals, and traditions, beautifully portray Indian ancestry.
When it comes to Gujarati weddings, they honour all of the rites that are a part of the traditional Gujarati ceremony.
Many rituals exist in Gujarat that serve as instructions for prospective couples on how to live a good married life.
After the marriage, the Gujarati wife becomes her husband’s sahdharmacharini, or equal. Gujaratis, like the rest of India’s marital communities, believe that marriage brings duty and power. In fact, it is the wife’s responsibility to keep the house and care for all of the domestic needs.
Gujarati Matrimony: Gujarati Matrimony is a type of Gujarati ma
Gujaratis like to match their sons and daughters with the communities in which they live. In the same way that other Indian groups do, the girl’s parents begin looking for her husband as soon as she reaches adulthood. Gujaratis think that a male and a girl should be together.
Costumes:
Gujarati brides typically wear a sari as their wedding gown. During the event, however, the sari is worn in a distinctive manner. Red is the most popular choice because it is seen to be the most auspicious colour for the event. Designer lehengas have been a popular bridal attire in recent years.
Groom’s outfit:
Traditionally, Gujarati grooms are expected to wear traditional Kurta and dhoti, however designer and formal suits, as well as kurta pyjamas, have become popular options.
Pre-wedding rituals include:
There are a number of rites that must be completed before to the wedding:
Mahurat Mandap:
Lord Ganesha, the Hindu God who is said to be able to remove any barriers, is honoured at this ritual. This is done by the bride and groom’s family a few days before the wedding.
Jaan:
The groom visits the bride’s residence to seek the blessings of his mother-in-law during this fascinating rite. The groom is expected to lower his head and grip his nose as is customary. This gesture reflects his humility as well as his recognition of the enormous sacrifice that his future bride is going to make. The groom’s future mother-in-law blesses him and performs a little deed to protect him from the evil eye. She also toys with his nose, reminding him that he is the taker because he will be taking her kid away, while they are the givers.
Wedding rituals include:
Gujarati weddings are distinguished from other Indian weddings by a number of gorgeous and colourful ceremonies.
Antarpaat: The bride’s maternal uncle (mama) is supposed to carry the bride to the mandap, according to this tradition. The curtain that divides the bride and groom, known as Antarpaat, is then lowered, and the couple garland each other.
Madhuparka: Madhuparka takes place after the Jaimala ritual. The groom’s feet are washed by his sister-in-law at Madhuparka. Then he’s served honey and milk. The groom’s sisters-in-law then steal his shoes and hide them, which is the most exciting custom. Almost all Indian weddings include this ceremony, in which the groom and his brothers must return the shoes at the conclusion of the day, in exchange for which the groom must give his sister-in-laws money and other presents.
Hasta Milap:
The groom’s scarf is knotted to the bride’s sari in this rite. This knot represents the matrimonial union of two souls. The acharya then chants mantras to invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Parvati on the saubhagyavrata, or wife. The two families, on the other hand, join together to bless the newlyweds and shower them with rice grains and rose petals.
The kanya daan, in which the bride is handed away by her parents, is the first part of the wedding ceremony. During the ritual, they fold their hands in the belief that their son-in-law will look after their daughter and never bring her harm.
The couple walks around the sacred fire while the acharya recites mantras in this ritual. The groom also repeats these mantras as he expresses his heartfelt desire for his wife’s loving support.
Saptapadi:
This refers to the pair going seven times around the holy fire. With each stride, the groom continues to sing mantras. These are requests to his wife to take care of the house, cook healthy and nutritious meals for their family, be frugal with money, be a patient and loving spouse, and so on. And the bride agrees to carry out these wishes.
Then they are united in the most sacred connection of all – marriage.
