All about Chooda and Kalira Ceremonies a bride needs to know!
A wedding is one of the happiest moments in one’s life. They are loaded with traditions and customs. Especially Punjabi weddings are one of the most insane and fun-filled weddings. From completely smashing the dance floor, endless sumptuous treats, long cocktail and beer sessions to memorable moments like the Sangeet ladies, Haldi, or Kalire ceremony, there’s no boring moment to se
All the rituals which are done in an Indian wedding hold some cultural or religious significance for the bride and groom. The same applies to the ritual of chooda and kalire which is part of the Indian wedding. Such two ceremonies are held for the Bride-to-be in particular. One after the other, both these rituals are performed on the morning of the wedding day, at the house of the bride.
Importance of Chooda Ceremony
Traditionally, chooda is a combination of lovely red and white colors. It comes in a set of 21 bangles which is considered an auspicious number. The chooda is chosen by the bride’s maternal uncle (mama) and aunt (mami). They present the chooda to the bride during the ceremony. It is worn for a fixed period of 40 days and a maximum period of 1.5 years following the wedding. During the chooda ritual, a puja or havan is usually organized. The bangles at first are purified with petals of rose and milk.
One very interesting thing about the ceremony is that before the wedding the bride is not allowed to see her Chooda, she is forced to sit with her eyes closed because it is considered inauspicious. Therefore, it is instantly covered with a white cloth until the chooda is on. After that, the family members tie a sacred string called the gang. This serves to ward off bad spirits, and the husband opens after the wedding rituals are done.
There’s a variety of chooda in the market, from colors to design to whatever the bride wants. Brides can now select colors such as pink, maroon, orange, white to match their bridal outfit with their chooda. The number of bangles has now been reduced so the bride can go for a single, double or triple set. The designs on the white bangles usually had red dots but now dazzling rhinestones and Swarovski are introduced. Moreover, the bride can also customize her chooda – she can get it with her and the groom’s name on it.
Importance of Kalira Ceremony
These umbrella-shaped hangings are a perfect combination with the chooda, indicating love of the newlyweds and their everlasting love. These are on golden and silver colors and are tied by the bride’s lovely sisters and close friends after the chooda ceremony. The purpose is to give the bride good wishes and to remind her of her cousins and relatives whom she will leave behind when she gets married. The kalire’s shape also symbolizes that she never runs out of food in her new home, while the metal symbolizes prosperity and richness.
After the kalire are tied, a bride lets her unmarried friends sit down on their knees and shakes their hands on their heads. It is assumed that if any part of the kalire drops on any girl’s head she will soon get married. They are available in different shapes and sizes and can be chosen by preference.
These ceremonies are practiced in many households in northern India. Besides that emotional connection, Chooda is quite in fashion for new brides. These days most girls wear it as a fashion statement regardless of their religion. If you are getting married soon, don’t forget to share your chooda and kalire pictures with us.