Lesser known, Quirky Wedding Rituals of India You Didn’t Know
India is known for its diversity and so are Indian Weddings! It is so obvious to have a wedding in each community and as we have our food, dressing, languages etc so diverse, we have different Wedding Rituals as well. While some are shared by communities, some rituals are quirky to some parts of the country. They, as per the beliefs, are performed due to reasons and for a better-married life for the couple. From role plays to actual abuses and from earthen pots to wishes, we have some very different rituals using different ideas, focusing on a common motive, i.e, the betterment of the matrimony. So, here are some quirky and lesser-known wedding rituals of India which you probably didn’t know about:
Unknown Wedding Rituals of India
A Wedding in Uttar Pradesh
In the small town of Sarsual in Uttar Pradesh, baraatees are treated with some twisted-hospitalities. Instead of being welcomed with flowers, tilaks and artis, potatoes and tomatoes are thrown at them. Yes. Not just this, a session of loud abuses is followed by it. It is, according to the natives, is done to return any bad fate that may enter the auspicious place where the wedding will take place or that may affect the matrimonial life of the couple.
Source: Craftsvilla
A Wedding in Manipur
The taki fish hold a prominent role in wedding rituals of a Manipuri wedding. During the wedding rituals, women of both the sides release a taki fish in the water on behalf of the bride and groom. It is said that the fishes represent the bride and the groom respectively. The movement of the fishes in the water is taken in notice. If the fishes move side by side, it is taken as a good omen for the matrimony.
A Wedding in TamilNadu
Tamil Brahmins have a ‘role-play’ rituals where the groom enacts a Sanyaasi (One who has quit the materialistic life). The father of the bride then tries to persuade the groom to marry his daughter by telling him how important this phase is in one’s life. The groom is then expected to leave this determination of Sanyaas and choose matrimony. This is said to be done in order to make the groom acknowledged about his duties in the matrimony. Umbrella, Bhagwad Gita and Sandals are prominent props that are used by the father of the bride.
Recommended Read: Indian Communities and Fascinating Wedding Customs
A Wedding in Bihar
The mother-in-law of the bride puts earthen pots on bride’s head and she is then expected to touch the feet of the elders balancing the earthen pot on her head. Brides are sometimes also expected to do certain household chores balancing the pots on her head. This is done as a test of the bride to see if she can take the responsibility of the household by testing her potential skills by balancing earthen pots on her head.
A Wedding in Punjab
Ghara Gharoli is one of the crucial rituals in Punjabi Weddings. The brides’ sibling’s spouse or sometimes brides’ sibling (a married female) carries a decorated earthen pot on her head to the nearest temple. The procession along with other female members of the house is taken with pomp and show with loud dhols and dance. The earthen pot is filled with water and taken back and the bride baths in the same water before putting her bridal outfit.
