Bengali Weddings are Culture
Oriented. Bengali wedding involves a number of rituals which begin three
days prior to the main marriage. Although these rituals do not play a major
role for the outsiders, still they have a importance for the bride and bride
groom for a happy married life. The entire family gets involved in the
marriage.
Customs
of Bengali Wedding :
All the Bengali Weddings have some common pre and on
marriage ceremonies :
» Pre - Marriage Ceremonies
Ashirbaad : In the morning hours of the marriage day, the couple to
be gets blessed by their elders. Husked rice is sprinkled on their heads and
Gold Ornaments are given to them.
Aai Budo Bhaat : Aai Budho Bhaat is the bachelorette party which is
give to the Bride by her relatives. This party signifies the approval of the
brides marriage be her relatives.
Holud Kota : In this ceremony the bride is applied Haldi/ Turmeric
by five or seven married women.
Dodhi Mongol : On the day of the Marriage, in the early morning
hours, five married women of the brides side, adorn her with Traditional
Bangles called the Shakha and Paula - one pair of red and one pair or white
bangles. The meal of Rice and Curd is also served to her, which is the only
meal she takes in the entire day, till the marriage is solmenized.
Mehandi : A day prior to the Marriage, Mehndi ( Indian Tatoo), is
applied on the hands and feet of the Bride. Various designs, some bold and
some light in color are made. It takes one to eight hours for the Mehndi to
dry up, till the color of Mehandi comes on the hands.
» Marriage Ceremonies :
Bor Boron : When the Bridegroom reaches the door of the Bride, the
enitre family of the groom is welcomed by the Brides relatives. Husked rice
and trefiol are sprinkled on them. Then sweets are served to them as a good
omen.
Potto Bastra : After the welcome, the groom is made to sit at the
chadnatolla - wedding altar and canopy - the sanctum sanctorum where the
bride, the bridegroom and the priest sits. Here the Groom is offered new
clothes by the person who will carry out Sampradan.
Saat Paak : In this, the bride who sitting on a wooden surface, is
lifted by her brothers and taken around the groom in seven circles. This
signifies that the bride and the bridegroom are tightly winded with each
other.
Mala Badal : In Mala Badal, the bride and the bridegroom exchange
Garlands with each other.
Sampradan : In Sampradan, the hands of both bride and groom are
winded with a white thread, amongst vedic recitals. Their hands are then put
on a sacred brass pot filled with water. As soon as they touch the water
filled pot, vedic chants are again recited.
Yagna : After Sampradan is over, the bride and the groom sit in
front of the fire. They take the blessings of the God Fire as they recite
Vedic Chants after the priest.
Saat Paak : Seven Circles are taken by the couple around the fire.
Once the circle is complete, the boy lifts the bride and crosses her over a
Stone. This method signifies, that the Groom is taking the bride front her
home and is taking her to his home with approval from family members.
Sindoor Daan and Ghomta : In this ceremony, red color Sindoor is put
on the head of the bride by the groom without seeing her face. This Sindoor
is put with a Beetle Leaf. After this the Groom presents her with a new
saree which she accepts. This is the acceptance of each other.
Not to be Missed
Dakshineshwar Temple - Situated in Old Calcutta/Kolkatta, the
Dakshineshwar Temple is the most revered place of the Kolkatta. A single
visit in the entire life is supposed to be the most Auspicious thing to do
in Bengali Culture. So if you are in Calcutta, then you must visit this
place.
Our Suggestions
- If you want to enjoy the entire Bengali marriage, then you should be
there two days before the wedding date. The ceremonies of the Bengali
Weddings begin three - two days prior to the Wedding date.
- Dressing up in bright colors is supposed to auspicious. Avoid
wearing pure black or pure white in any of the Indian Weddings.
- Most of the Bengali Weddings have Non - Vegetarian Delicacies. So if
you are a vegetarian let your hosts know beforehand.
- The Winters are the best time to be in Calcutta. Neither to hot nor
too cold, these are the days to take a tour round the city.
- There are direct trains to
Calcutta. All the major flight carriers take you to Kolkatta. For
further details contact us.
- For Tours and further information, contact us.
