Indian Weddings: 20 Must-Know Traditions and Ceremonies (2024)

Indian weddings are a rich and vibrant celebration of love, culture, and tradition. With their colorful rituals, elaborate ceremonies, and delicious food, Indian weddings are a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

In this article, we will explore 20 of the most important Indian wedding traditions and ceremonies. From the pre-wedding rituals to the post-wedding celebrations, we will cover everything you need to know about this special occasion.

Pre-Wedding Ceremonies

1. Sagai (Engagement)

Sagai, also known as Mangni, is the engagement ceremony in Indian weddings. It is the official announcement of the couple’s upcoming wedding and is usually a small, intimate affair with close family and friends. The ceremony typically takes place at the bride’s home, and the groom’s family brings gifts and sweets for the bride and her family.

The Sagai ceremony begins with the groom’s family seeking the blessings of the bride’s elders. Once the blessings have been given, the couple exchanges rings and garlands. The rings symbolize their love and commitment to each other, while the garlands represent their acceptance of each other as husband and wife.

After the ring and garland exchange, the couple’s families and friends shower them with blessings and good wishes. The ceremony typically ends with a delicious meal and a celebration of the couple’s new beginning.

2. Mehndi

Mehndi is a pre-wedding ceremony in Indian weddings where the bride and her female relatives and friends have their hands and feet decorated with henna tattoos. The intricate designs are said to symbolize good luck and fertility.

Mehndi is a popular tradition in many cultures, but it is especially important in Indian weddings. The ceremony is usually held the night before the wedding, and it is a time for the bride and her friends to bond and celebrate their upcoming nuptials.

The henna paste is made from the leaves of the henna plant, which is a shrub native to India. The paste is applied to the skin with a special tool called a mehndi cone, and it takes several hours to dry. The designs can be simple or elaborate, and they often include flowers, vines, and other auspicious symbols.

3. Sangeet

Sangeet is a fun-filled pre-wedding celebration in Indian weddings where the bride and groom’s families and friends come together to sing, dance, and perform. It is a great opportunity to get to know each other and bond before the big day.

The Sangeet is typically held the night before the wedding, and it can be a small, intimate affair or a large, lavish event. The entertainment can be anything from traditional Indian dances to Bollywood-style performances to lip sync battles. The bride and groom often participate in the performances, and they may even have their own special dances choreographed.

4. Haldi

Haldi is a pre-wedding ritual in Indian weddings where the bride and groom are smeared with a turmeric paste. Turmeric is said to have antiseptic and healing properties, and it is also believed to bring good luck.

The Haldi ceremony is usually held the day before the wedding. The bride and groom are seated on separate chairs, and their family members and friends take turns applying the turmeric paste to their faces and bodies. The turmeric paste is made by mixing turmeric powder with water, yogurt, or milk. It is often applied with the hands, but it can also be applied with a brush or a sponge.

The ceremony is a fun and festive event. Everyone gets involved, and the bride and groom are often laughing and joking as they are covered in turmeric paste. The ceremony is also a time for the bride and groom to relax and de-stress before the big day.

Wedding Day Ceremonies

5. Baraat

Baraat is the groom’s procession to the wedding venue. It is a lively and colorful affair, with the groom and his family and friends dancing and singing as they make their way to the venue.

The Baraat is a tradition that originated in North India, but it is now practiced in many parts of the country. The groom typically rides a horse or elephant, and he is accompanied by his family, friends, and groomsmen. The procession is often accompanied by music and dancing, and it is a time for the groom to celebrate his upcoming marriage.

6. Mandap

The Mandap is a canopy under which the Indian wedding ceremony takes place. It is usually decorated with flowers and other auspicious symbols, such as the mango and banana leaves, and religious statues.

The Mandap is a sacred space where the bride and groom are united in marriage. It is a place where they can seek the blessings of their families, friends, and gods. The Mandap also represents the new home that the bride and groom will create together.

The Mandap is typically made of four pillars, which represent the four pillars of marriage: dharma (duty), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation). The pillars are also said to represent the four parents of the bride and groom. The Mandap is usually decorated with flowers, such as roses, marigolds, and jasmine.

7. Jai Mala

The Jai Mala or Varmala is a floral garland that is exchanged by the bride and groom during the Indian wedding ceremony. It is a symbol of their acceptance of each other as husband and wife. The ceremony is typically held at the beginning of the wedding ceremony. The bride and groom stand facing each other, and they exchange garlands. The garlands are held in place by the bride’s and groom’s families.

The Jai Mala is typically made of flowers, such as roses, marigolds, and jasmine. The flowers are said to symbolize love, fertility, and good luck. The garlands are often decorated with beads, ribbons, and other embellishments.

8. Kanyadaan

Kanyadaan is a Hindu wedding ritual in which the bride’s father gives her away to the groom. The word “kanya” means “daughter” in Sanskrit, and “daan” means “donation” or “gift.”

In the Kanyadaan ritual, the bride’s father stands in front of the groom and the priest. He holds his daughter’s right hand and places it in the groom’s right hand. The priest then recites a mantra that asks the gods to bless the couple’s marriage.

The Kanyadaan ritual is often seen as a symbol of the bride’s father’s acceptance of the groom as his daughter’s husband. It is also seen as a way for the bride’s father to give his daughter away to a new family.

9. Saat Phere

Saat Phere, also known as Saptapadi, is a Hindu wedding ritual in which the bride and groom walk around a sacred fire seven times. Each round represents a specific vow or promise that the couple makes to each other.

The Saat Phere is one of the most important rituals in a Hindu wedding. It is a time for the bride and groom to publicly declare their love and commitment to each other.

The Saat Phere is typically held in the middle of the wedding ceremony. The bride and groom stand facing each other, and they hold hands as they walk around the sacred fire. The priest recites mantras that ask the gods to bless the couple’s marriage.

10. Sindoor

Sindoor or sindura is a traditional vermilion red or orange-red coloured cosmetic powder from the Indian subcontinent, usually worn by married women along the part of their hairline. In Hindu communities, the sindoor is a visual marker of marital status of a woman and ceasing to wear it usually implies widowhood.

In Hindu culture, sindoor is a symbol of marriage and fertility. It is believed to protect the wife and her husband from evil spirits. The red color of sindoor is also associated with love, passion, and devotion.

Sindoor is traditionally applied at the beginning or completely along the parting-line of a woman’s hair or as a dot on the forehead. Sindoor is the mark of a married woman in Hinduism. Single women wear the bindi in different colours for special occasions but don’t apply sindoor in their parting of the hairline. Widows do not wear sindoor or bindis, signifying that their husband is no longer alive. The sindoor is first applied to the woman by her husband on the day of her wedding; this is called the Sindoor Danam ceremony.

11. Mangalsutra

A mangalsutra is a necklace worn by married women in many parts of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. It is a symbol of marriage and fertility, and it is believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits.

In Hindu culture, the mangalsutra is a symbol of marriage and fertility. It is believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits and to bring good luck and prosperity to the family. The black beads of the mangalsutra are said to represent the darkness of ignorance, while the gold pendant represents the light of knowledge. The mangalsutra is also a reminder of the vows that the couple made to each other on their wedding day.

A mangalsutra typically consists of a string of black beads, with a gold pendant in the shape of a lotus flower, a bell, or a sacred thread. The beads are typically made of black coral or onyx, and the pendant is typically made of gold or silver.

12. Chooda

Chooda, also known as Chura, is a set of red and white bangles worn by married women in North India. It is a symbol of marital status and brings good luck to the bride. The chooda is typically worn for a period of 16 days after the wedding, but some brides may choose to wear it for longer.

The chooda is made of a variety of materials, including glass, plastic, and metal. The bangles are often decorated with beads, stones, and other embellishments. The red bangles represent the bride’s new status as a married woman, while the white bangles represent her purity and innocence.

On the day of the wedding, the bride’s mother and other female relatives help her to put on the chooda. The bangles are typically worn in a specific order, with the red bangles on the bottom and the white bangles on top. The chooda is also decorated with a variety of other items, such as kalire (golden ornaments), kalash (a gold pot), and sehra (a headband worn by the groom). After the wedding, the bride is typically not allowed to remove the chooda until she has completed a series of rituals, such as Karwa Chauth and Diwali.

13. Kaleerein

Kalire are traditional Punjabi ornaments worn by brides on their wedding day. They are typically made of gold, silver, or brass, and are decorated with bells, beads, and other embellishments.

Kaleere are worn on the bride’s wrists, and are typically attached to her chooda (set of red and white bangles). They are said to represent the bride’s blessings and prosperity, and are also believed to protect her from evil spirits.

The tradition of wearing kaleere dates back centuries, and is thought to have originated in the Punjab region of India. It is said that the first kaleere were made of coconuts and other edible items, so that the bride would have food to eat on her journey to her new home.

14. Doli

Doli is a traditional Indian palanquin or litter, typically used to carry a bride to her new home on her wedding day. It is a symbol of the bride’s journey from her childhood home to her new life as a wife.

Dolys are typically made of wood or bamboo, and are decorated with flowers, fabrics, and other embellishments. They may also have bells or other noisemakers attached to them, which are believed to ward off evil spirits.

On the day of the wedding, the bride is seated in the doli by her family and friends. She is then carried to her new home by her male relatives, or by professional doli bearers. The bride’s journey to her new home is typically accompanied by music and dancing. Once the bride arrives at her new home, she is greeted by her in-laws and other relatives. She is then helped out of the doli and into her new home.

Post-Wedding Ceremonies

15. Griha Pravesh

Griha Pravesh is a Hindu ceremony that marks the first entry into a new home. It is a traditional way to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, into the home.

The Griha Pravesh ceremony is typically performed by a priest, who will chant mantras and perform rituals to bless the new home. The family and friends of the homeowner will also participate in the ceremony.

16. Varmala

Varmala is a flower garland that is exchanged by the bride and groom during the Hindu wedding ceremony. It is a symbol of their acceptance of each other as husband and wife.

The Varmala ceremony is typically held at the beginning of the wedding ceremony. The bride and groom stand facing each other, and they exchange garlands. The garlands are held in place by the bride’s and groom’s families.

17. Vidaai

Vidaai is a traditional Hindu ceremony that marks the departure of the bride from her home to her new home with her groom. It is a poignant moment when the bride says goodbye to her family and friends and begins her new life.

The Vidaai ceremony typically takes place on the evening of the wedding day. The groom’s family members visit the bride’s home to take her with them. The bride is blessed by her family and friends, and she is given gifts and mementos.

18. Saptapadi

Saptapadi is the most important rite in a Hindu wedding ceremony. It is a series of seven steps that the bride and groom take together around the sacred fire, accompanied by chanting of mantras by the priest. Each step signifies a different vow or promise that the couple makes to each other. The seven vows of Saptapadi are:

• To nourish each other physically and emotionally.
• To grow together spiritually and intellectually.
• To protect each other from harm.
• To share their joys and sorrows.
• To raise a family together.
• To be faithful to each other.
• To remain together for life.

After the seventh step is taken, the couple is considered to be husband and wife. The Saptapadi ceremony is a sacred and symbolic ritual that marks the beginning of the couple’s new life together.

19. Ashirbad

Ashirbad is a Hindi word that means “blessing.” It is a common greeting or farewell in Hindu culture, and it is often used to convey good wishes and support.

Ashirbad may be given by a parent, elder, or other respected person. It is typically given with a touch to the head or shoulders, and it is accompanied by a few words of blessing. For example, a parent might say “ashirbad hai” (you have my blessing) to their child before they leave for school or work.

Ashirbad is a powerful word that conveys love, support, and good wishes. It is a reminder that we are all connected, and that we should always be there for each other.

20. Annaprashan

Annaprashan is a Hindu ceremony that marks the first time a baby is given solid food. It is typically performed between the ages of six and twelve months, when the baby is ready to start eating solid foods.

The Annaprashan ceremony is a significant event in the life of a Hindu family. It is a way to celebrate the baby’s growth and development, and to pray for their future well-being.

The ceremony is typically performed by a priest, who will chant mantras and bless the baby’s first taste of solid food. The baby is then given a small amount of food to taste, such as rice pudding or mashed banana.

Indian weddings are a rich and vibrant celebration of love, culture, and tradition. From the pre-wedding rituals to the post-wedding celebrations, every moment of an Indian wedding is filled with meaning and symbolism.

The 20 traditions and ceremonies that we have explored in this article are just a few of the many ways that Indian couples celebrate their marriage. Each region and community in India has its own unique wedding traditions, which makes Indian weddings all the more special and diverse.

If you are fortunate enough to be invited to an Indian wedding, be prepared for an unforgettable experience. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and traditions, and enjoy the delicious food, music, and dancing. Most importantly, celebrate the love of the happy couple and wish them a lifetime of happiness together.