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Hindu Weddings

A Traditional Celebration to honour your heritage with these traditions.
chapelle johnson the knot associate editor by Chapelle Johnson
Photos: Marcela Pulido Photography
Updated Mar 27, 2024
Hindu weddings are steeped in rich traditions and beautiful customs. Whether you’re a to-be-wed in the throes of wedding planning, looking for ways to honor your heritage or a wedding guest who doesn’t know what to expect at an Indian (Hindu) wedding, you must understand the Indian nuptial traditions included in Hindu weddings. That’s why we connected with some of our favorite wedding pros, who are well-versed in Hindu wedding rituals, to get the scoop on all the traditional details. They gave us an in-depth look at what each tradition means and what’s involved in each element. And even though many modern couples are opting to personalize their nuptials, the big day is the perfect time to honor one’s culture and religion, even if that means just a few of these ideas get included in your wedding plans. Check out this guide to Hindu wedding rituals, from the engagement to after the reception, and be sure to bookmark it to reference again down the road.

History

Hinduism is considered the world’s oldest religion, with many of its associated customs dating back to more than 5,000 years ago. It’s important to note that the Hindu wedding traditions below aren’t in the exact order they’re performed since the customs’ order depends on what the families want to do and what region of the country they’re from. (Fun Fact: India is home to the most Hindus, with more than 90% of Hindus living within its borders.)

Laanka

The lagna patrika is the formal engagement ceremony and announcement of the couple’s impending marriage. During this time, the couple exchanges a written vow stating that the marriage ceremony will take place at a later date they’ve selected. The wedding date and time are finalized at the ceremony, which typically has a Hindu priest, also known as a pandit, writing down the marriage details and the names of all the family members involved. This Hindu wedding custom is done months before the special day(s).
 

Wagdaan

Another Hindu wedding tradition, wagdaan, may also be a part of the engagement. The form wagdaan takes differs from family to family but usually involves the exchange of a ring as a promise of marriage after the groom’s father gets permission from the bride’s father to have the wedding. The wagdaan typically takes place during an engagement party known as mangni (in northern India) or nischitartham (in southern India). This ritual is the equivalent of a Western-style engagement ceremony.

Mehndi

The Mehndi, alternatively spelled mehendi, is one of the most popular Hindu wedding rituals. Traditionally, the bride and many of her loved ones have henna applied to their hands (and sometimes feet) in intricate patterns. The mehndi party is hosted by the bride’s parents and the event may include choreographed dances for entertainment since the mehndi application can take a long time. The event often showcases a color palette that’s different from what the couple has planned on the wedding day—bright colors, especially oranges and pinks, are popular selections.
“The Mehndi ceremony is hosted by the bride’s family and typically takes place a day or two before the wedding,” Culver explains. “This tradition is supposed to bring the bride good luck and good health as she begins married life. The mendhi party is akin to a bridal luncheon and a great way for the important women in the bride’s life to gather, share advice and memories and bond. Traditional mehndi ceremonies involve only female family members, but male family members are welcome to join after the bride has received her henna. Some grooms are getting henna as well these days.”
 
Henna has properties that help to regulate body temperature. The cooling effect it creates on a bride’s hands and feet is said to help relieve stress and headaches. Additionally, according to lore, the darker the henna designs on a to-be-wed’s skin, the more loved they will be by their in-laws and new spouse. Plus, they’re encouraged to avoid housework for as long as the stain stays on their hands, which can be for up to three weeks.

Sangeet

The Hindi word ‘sangeet’ translates to “sung together” and represents the song- and dance-filled prewedding event where the festivities truly begin. The sangeet ceremony is also referred to as garba in Sanskrit. The goal of the sangeet is to revel in the joy and happiness of the occasion. During the sangeet, loved ones usually perform dances and Hindu wedding songs they’ve prepared.
Amarjit Keshav, a certified destination wedding specialist of Destination Weddings Travel Group, says this ceremony “signifies the coming together for both families. This event helps to take the stress away from the seriousness of the actual wedding.” Gretchen Culver, an event planner with over a decade of experience and Owner and Creative Director of Rocket Science Events, shares that “while Western tradition has a rehearsal dinner, Indian tradition has the sangeet. Historically, the Sangeet was a multi-day affair, but now it’s just one day. Sangeets are full of joy. The purpose of a sangeet is twofold. First, to celebrate the couple and second, to connect the families coming together through marriage. It’s a great chance for families to get to know each other. There’s lots of music, special songs and choreographed dances by family and friends. The guest list for the sangeet is often the same as the wedding, making it a large party in scale and scope.”
 

Hindu Wedding Traditions

Roka
The roka ceremony is an extension of the engagement party and celebrates the union of the couple and the families. The two halves join together, exchange gifts, eat sweets and dry fruit and enjoy each other’s company.
Barni Band-hwana
Fifteen days before the wedding is the barni band-hwana custom, which involves tying a thread, called mauli, to the bride and the groom or the groom and his parents’ hands. The purpose of this is to ask the gods for safety on the wedding day and a happy marriage.
Mayra or Mayara Ceremony
Mayra, also spelled mayara, often follows barni band-hwana and is the “maternal uncle’s ceremony” in which the maternal uncles of both to-be-weds shower the families of the to-be-weds with gifts and treats to offer well wishes. Historically, they would also bring the dresses the bride and her mother would wear for the wedding, but that’s not always the case with modern weddings in Hinduism.
 

Hindu Wedding Attire

It’s customary for the Hindu bride to wear a red wedding sari or lehenga on her special day. The red hue symbolizes passion, love, prosperity and new beginnings in Hinduism and is even connected to Durga, the powerful warrior goddess. But even though red is a popular color, modern brides can opt for other hues like pastel blue, classic white or bold yellow.

Hindu Wedding Attire

A sherwani or bandhgala is formal attire commonly seen on men at an Indian Hindu wedding ceremony. A sherwani is a long-sleeved knee-length fitted buttoned-down jacket (shown in the picture above) worn usually over a kurta and combined with dress trousers. The bandhgala, also called the jodhpuri, is a suit that originated in the city of Jodhpur in the 19th century. A bandhgala has a closed-collar suit jacket that stops a little below the waist and goes with slim-fitting pants. Both pieces of formalwear can be adorned with gems and intricate embroidery and bring a royal look to any function.

The Baraat

The baraat, sometimes referred to as vara yatra, is a unique wedding ceremony entrance for the groom. There’s typically lots of dancing and singing as he enters with a parade of loved ones. “The baraat is a meeting of the families and includes festive music, drummers and dancing,” explains Haley. “It begins with the groom’s processional to the ceremony. Depending on the area of which the family is from, traditionally, the groom rides in on a horse or elephant and, in modern times, a fancy sports car. Upon arrival, the groom and the group are welcomed by the bride’s family, and the couple continues with the wedding ceremony.”

Pakwanu

Pokwanu takes place after the baraat and is another moment when the bride’s family welcomes the groom. The bride’s mother applies a tilak on the groom’s forehead, who’s then led inside the Hindu wedding venue for the rest of the ceremonies. The groom is also tasked with smashing a clay pot with his foot into small pieces to symbolize his ability to overcome future obstacles the couple might face.