Weddings Of Different States Of India
India is known for its rich culture and traditions. India is a federal union comprising of 26 states and 8 union territories. From folk music to traditional dresses, every state of India has something different to offer. Hence, the weddings of different states of India vary regionally.
Let’s explore the ethnically rich attires and rituals from weddings of different states of India:
Andhra Pradesh
In a Telugu wedding, a ceremony called Kashi Yatra is done at the groom’s house where he acts that he is going to Kashi and is not involved in the wedding or mundane pleasures. The bride’s brother then stops him and convinces him to marry his sister. In the wedding Mandap, a ceremony called Jeerakalla-Bellamu is implemented, in which a paste of jeera or cumin seeds is used by the bride and groom to use on each other’s hand from under a curtain. This ceremony implies an everlasting bond between the couple.- Arunachal Pradesh
With 26 distinct tribes and over 100 sub-tribes, Arunachal Pradesh is a treat for those interested in a glimpse of cultural diversity. - Assam
In Assam, the guest and groom are showered with lots of rice as they reach the venue gate which is intended to make it tough for the groom to enter the venue. The groom’s friends hold an umbrella to shield him and also have to pay shagun for entering the venue. After this, an aarti is done by the bride’s mother. The bride wears the traditional Mekhela Chador at her wedding. - Bihar
When talking about Bihari weddings, there are many extraordinary rituals! One of them is where the new bride is required to take an earthen pot on her head to check her strength. They continue on adding the pots to grow the weight and view how great she can balance. - Chhattisgarh
The Chhattisgarhiya brides are known for wearing Kachhora sarees for their wedding. This type of saree is made from fabrics like cotton, silk, and linen in bright and vibrant colors. - Goa
Goan Catholic women wear dresses/gowns, while Hindu women wear sari called Nav-vari for their wedding. - Gujarat
Among weddings of different states, Gujarati weddings have a ritual called Madhuparka, in which the parents of the bride clean the feet of the groom and give him Panchamrut made from milk, yogurt, honey, sugar, and ghee. After that, he enters the wedding Mandap. In a ceremony called Hasta Milap, the groom’s scarf is tied to the bride’s scarf which means the connection of the souls. Flower petals and rice grains are showered on them during the ceremony. - Haryana
Haryanvi brides wear Daaman which is a flair ankle-long skirt, in striking vibrant colors. The groom generally wears ‘Dhoti’, the wraparound cloth, tucked in between the legs with a white-colored kurta worn on top of it. - Himachal Pradesh
In Himachal Pradesh, the bride and groom wear Ghaghri and Choli. Cholis are the shirts that are worn on the upper part with a long skirt and a lot of bangles. - Jharkhand
A Jharkhandi bride wears a Tussar silk saree. The tribal brides often wear Parthan and Panchi costumes. - Karnataka
Brides of Karnataka are famous for donning silk sarees. However, the different style of wearing a saree makes them different. The Coorgi style of wrapping a saree in Karnataka includes tying the pleats on the back instead of the front and a small portion of the pallu is placed over the shoulder. - Kerala
A Kerala bride wears a beautiful white and gold silk saree throughout the whole ceremony. While the groom wears a Mundu which is basically a cotton cloth draped around the waist. - Madhya Pradesh
In Madhya Pradesh, the brides wear the traditional Lehenga and Choli. - Maharashtra
Maharashtrian grooms are greeted with a Seeman puja which is carried out by the bride’s parents at the entrance of the wedding venue. The brides wear the traditional nine-yard saree locally known as Nauwari Saadi or Lugda. - Mizoram
The brides of Mizoram are often seen wearing the traditional dress called ‘Puan’. - Nagaland
The tribal Angami brides of Nagaland wear plain blue cloth skirts and white cloth. The white cloth has thick black marginal bands of a variety of breadth. They also wear Mechala, that wrap around skirt with an accompanying shawl. - Odisha
In Odia Hindu weddings, the original wedding invitation card is sent to Jagannath Puri or Lord Jagannath. Most of the rituals are similar to a Hindu wedding only they have different names. - Punjab
Punjabi weddings are all about glory and grandeur. All the members of the groom’s family are welcomed with a milni or a welcome gift. - Rajasthan
Rajasthani weddings are full of lively rituals. One of the unique wedding rituals is Ganpati Sthapna where the families from both sides pray together for peace and success during and after the wedding. A special evening event called Mehfil is also organized in Rajasthani weddings where Ghoomar dance is conducted in front of the ladies of the family and the bride has a special seating arrangement. The entry of men is restricted in this Mehfil who has their own celebrations but the groom has the authority to enter the ladies Mehfil. - Sikkim
The various tribes of Sikkim have various rituals. The bride of the Bhutia tribe wears Bakhu and Kho for her wedding. - Tamil Nadu
The Tamilian Brahmin families follow a tradition similar to Andhra weddings called Kasi Yatra on the wedding day with the groom. When he is about to enter the wedding Mandap, he acts as if he has changed his mind and is planning to take a Sanyaas. The difference is that here the father of the bride persuades him to carry on and enter the married life. - Telangana
The brides of Telangana either wear Gadwal Sari, Pochampally Silk Sari, and Ikat Sari. The groom wears a Pancha which is similar to a Dhoti. - Tripura
Brides of Tripura wear Risa which is a short size of cloth devised with gorgeous embroideries. Along with that, they wear the coin strands and a plethora of beads for their beauty to enrich more. - Uttar Pradesh
In some cultures like in Uttar Pradesh, the Haldi ceremony is called Tel Baan. Tel Baan takes place daily from Lagan until the wedding day and involves a mixture of mustard oil, curd, Mehendi, and Haldi which is applied on the body of the bride or groom with a few strands of grass by female members only. It signifies cleansing and detoxification of the mind and heart after which they take a bath. - Uttarakhand
The Kumaon region in Uttarakhand has unique rituals in marriages and one such ritual is the use of flags in baraat. The first man in the baraat takes a white flag or Nishan which symbolizes the groom’s side and the last man in the procession carries a red flag signifying the bride’s side. - West Bengal
Bengali brides are renowned for wearing a rich red silk saree. As we’re talking about weddings of different states, in Bengali weddings, an early morning ritual is followed in which the bride’s aunts give an aarti plate packed with goodies to the Ganga river. It is assumed that the river Ganga will bless their daughter. Ai Buro Bhat is the last meal which the bride and groom have as unmarried people in their respective homes a day before or a few days before the wedding. The meal is a rich preparation including fish, fried vegetables, mutton curry, dal, papad, rice, paturi, and rice pudding.
It is the colors and the enriching traditions of India that make it culturally rich. We really hope that you enjoyed the mini-tour through the weddings of different states.