Bengali weddings are grand celebrations known for their rich traditions and rituals. As a Bengali bride or groom, it is important to be familiar with the various rituals associated with a traditional Bengali wedding. This blog provides detailed explanations of 20 key Bengali marriage rituals to help with wedding planning.
Pre-Wedding Rituals
1. Tilak Ceremony
The tilak ceremony involves decorating the bride and groom’s forehead with tilak or kumkum. This ritual symbolizes claiming the bride and groom by their families. It takes place a few days before the wedding. Close family members apply tilak to bless the couple.
2. Engagement
The engagement ceremony of bengali wedding involves exchanging gifts and promises between the bride and groom’s family. It signifies the formal acceptance of the match exchanging rings between bride and groom.
3. Mehendi Ceremony
Mehendi ceremony, held a night before the wedding, involves applying intricate henna designs on the bride’s hands and feet. It is a time of singing, dancing and celebration with family and friends. The darker the stain, stronger is believed to be the marriage.
Wedding Day Rituals
4. Haldi Ceremony
Turmeric applied to bride and groom during the haldi ceremony helps exfoliate and brightens skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties believed to protect the couple from any disease or illness. Close family members ritually apply haldi while chanting blessings.
5. Sangeet Ceremony
The sangeet ceremony the night before wedding is a celebration of music, dance and mingling. Friends and family perform to entertain bride and groom. Dance competitions are held for fun and bringing the families together before the wedding.
6. Vidaai Ritual
The emotional vidaai ritual involves bidding farewell to the bride by her maternal family and close relatives. Elders bless her for a happy married life. The bride then leaves for her husband’s home carrying gifts like sweets and paan.
Post Wedding Rituals
7. Ashirbaad Ceremony
During ashirbaad, elders shower blessings on newlyweds and pray for a long married life. Rituals like tilak, exchange of garlands and gold rings cement the wedding bond in front of fire.
8. Bou Bhaat
Bou Bhaat is a lavish reception hosted by groom’s family to welcome bride and conclude wedding festivities. Traditional food like biryani, korma and sweets are served with musical performances.
9. Sapta Padhi
Sapta padhi involves seven ceremonial walks around the sacred fire by bride and groom with prayers for happiness, prosperity and children. It signifies the beginning of their new journey together.
Bengali Wedding Planning
10. Katha Ceremony
The fixing of wedding is jointly announced in the katha ceremony. Family elders share wedding details like date and timelines to relatives and seek their blessings.
11. Wedding Invitations
Beautifully designed wedding cards or digital invitations incorporate all vital details like date, time, venue and a family photo. These are distributed four to six weeks before the wedding.
12. Choosing Wedding Venue
Venue selection is based on budget, number of expected guests, availability of facilities. Popular venues in Kolkata are wedding gardens, halls and lawns providing all arrangements under one roof.
Wedding Decor and Setup
13. Mehendi Mandap
A decorated tent like structure called the mehendi mandap provides the designated area for mehendi application. It is decorated with lights, flowers and cloth.
14. Sangeet Mandap
The sangeet mandap is the specially decorated stage area where musical and dance performances take place at the sangeet ceremony.
15. Wedding Mandap
The beautiful wedding mandap or altar provides the focal point where all rituals and sacred wedding ceremonies like pheras are conducted in front of guests and fire.
Conclusion
With these key rituals being an important part of Bengali weddings, preparing well will make your special wedding extraordinary. For help arranging Bengali wedding events, food packages, contact The Royal Reception, the best event management company in Kolkata. We ensure memorable Bengali wedding events in Kolkata with our comprehensive services. Call us at 033-46037289 to know about our more services.
