Gujarati wedding rituals

Gujarati weddings are full of colors, fun, and rituals where families get together and enjoy the union of Bride and Groom. Are you planning a Gujarati wedding or are wondering about what all a traditional Gujarati wedding entail? If the answer is YES, then this post is the place for you to start. In this post, you will find all events and rituals that happen during a wedding. You can also find all the items required by simply clicking on the links. Keep scrolling and happy planning!!

Pre-wedding Ceremonies

When: Few months to weeks before the wedding

Chandla Vidhi (Chandlo Matli)

Chandlo means red Vermilion (Kumkum) which is applied on a forehead and Matli means a clay container. Chandlo Matli is the first ceremony that commences the marriage alliance. Depending on the family’s traditions, this ritual could take place few days to day before engagement ceremony. Traditionally, this ritual formalizes the alliance of the bride and the groom. In the USA, families complete this ritual either before or after the proposal event. This ritual involves one family visits the other where the bride’s parents apply Chandlo to groom and give the matli, which filled with sweets. During this ceremony a wedding date is fixed or announced.

Gol Dhana/ Engagement/ Sagai

Gol means Jaggery and Dhana means Coriander seeds in Gujarati. This is a gujarti engagement/ring ceremony. In the USA, families do this after the proposal event (if happening). The engagement ceremony could happen at home with close family or could be big affair. During this ceremony, the would-be couple formally accepts each other with the blessings of the elderly. Often times, Chandlo Matli and Gol Dhana vidhi happen on the same day.

When: Two to three days before the wedding

Mehndi

Mehandi is a fun and informal Guajarati wedding ceremony. During this ceremony, Mehendi, henna, is applied on the hands and feet of the bride and other females of the family. Traditionally, it was applied not only as an ornament but also because it is calming and helps with the stress of the wedding. It is also a tradition for the brides to include designs such as doli, musical instruments, bride & groom in their henna. But you do not have to limit to these designs, feel free to include designs that so that are meaningful to you in your henna, make it personalize. Check out some awesome bride’s designs below. This event can occur simultaneously at the groom and bride’s place, or you can have a combined event for more fun.

Fun fact: It is said that the groom is not meant to see the bride’s mehndi before the wedding, and has to find his name that is cleverly hidden within the mehndi design.

Sangeet Sandhya/ Sanji/ Garba

These are fun filled events that highlight any Gujarati wedding. These events can be held as separate events or along with the Mehendi ceremony. This is an informal event where you can decide the flow and itinerary, depending on your interests. Similar to the mehendi ceremony, it could be done separately on a bride and a groom’s side; however, these days most families choose to combine it to celebrate the would-be couple. It could include programs such as traditional Guajarati Garba-raas, dance performances, skits, or music night. Depending on the guest count, this event can take place at a banquet hall, a temple hall, or any place that accommodates your plan. If you are planning a Garba-Raas night, do not forget to have a traditional ‘Chaniya choli’ ‘kurta’ dress code for color filled and vibrant photos. Here are some décor photos for this event:

When: Day before the Wedding

Ganesh Matli

This event marks the beginning of rituals and traditional pujas to commence the upcoming nuptial. Similar to the most Hindu ceremonies, a Gujarati wedding starts with the worship of Lord Ganesh. Ganesh Matli is often conducted by families originating from North and West Gujarat. Here a bride’s family (usually a brother, male cousins in a count of five to seven) along with the bride visits the Groom’s family with a Ganesh idol and matlis filled with sweets (pictured below). After greeting and application of vermillion to the groom by the brother of the bride, the bride and the groom conduct a Ganesh pooja. This is the first pooja that is conducted by the would-be couple together. After the completion of Ganesh puja, the bride and her family leaves, and the groom’s family continues with the following rituals.

While the bride and brothers are visiting the groom, the Ganesh puja is simultaneously happening at the bride’s house. Upon the return of the bride, the bride’s family will continue with the following rituals.

Mandap Muhurat

Mandap Mahurat is also known as Mangal Mahurat. This event occurs simultaneously at the bride and the groom’s side. Mandap muhurat is conducted to seek blessings from Mother Earth to set up the mandap. Traditionally during this ritual, Manek Stambh (Decorative wooden Stick) is dug in soil with one of the pillars of Mandap. In modern times, a Manek stabh is placed in a decorative pot with soil and ritual is carried out.

Grah Shanti

Grah Shanti follows the Mandap Mahurat, during which the family priests perform puja to address all planets and stars. In a Gujarati wedding, a Grah Shanti Puja is an absolute must to ensure a happy and peaceful marital life for the couple. This Puja is basically to avoid any kind of astrological and planetary hurdles that might appear.

Mosalu / Mameru

During the Grah shanti puja or the evening before the wedding, the bride's maternal uncle (Mama) visits with gifts including Panetar saree to be worn in the wedding, jewelry, sweets, dry fruits wrapped beautifully in decorative trays.

Pithi / Haldi Ceremony

This ritual is carried out a day before the wedding (after Grah Shanti) at both Bride and Groom’s houses separately (or together during destination weddings). During this ceremony, the bride/groom is seated on a low seat called Bajoth (Bajath), and a paste of turmeric, sandalwood, rosewater and herbs is applied on their faces and palms. Traditionally, the ritual was conducted as turmeric, Sandalwood has anti-inflammatory and beautifying properties so that it brings glow to skin and removes impurities. The Pithi is traditionally prepared by the bride/groom's paternal uncle's wife (Kaki).

Fun fact: It is believed that if the bride/groom applies haldi to an unmarried person, they will be the next one to marry.

The Wedding Day

Varghodo/ Baarat

A Varghodo in a Gujarati wedding involves a series of rituals right before the groom proceeds to wedding venue. The family priest hands a bowl of coins wrapped in a cloth to the groom's sister which she moves around the groom's head a couple of times. The coin sounds are supposed to ward off evil spirits. The groom's sister performs this ritual also to remind her brother that even though he's getting married, he should not forget his sister! After this, the groom and the whole family set out in a procession singing and dancing all the way to the venue.

Jaan agman / Groom Arrival

As the groom riding on a gracefully decorated mare arrives at the wedding venue along with his family, Jaan ritual is performed for their welcome. A Jaan or Agman ceremony is performed particularly to welcome the groom's family with sweets and Aarti.

Pokhna / Ponkvu / Pokhnu

This ritual represents welcoming the groom to the wedding mandap. The bride's mother performs Aarti, feeds him sweets and blesses him at wedding entrance. There’s also a playful part in Pokhna ceremony, where Bride’s mother attempts to pull the groom's nose reminding him to be humble as he's here to ask their daughter's hand. The groom in return tries to escape the nose-pulling making this ritual joyful.

Jaimala

When both the bride and the groom arrive at the wedding mandap, it's time for the Jaimala ritual. The couple exchanges floral garlands. There are sometimes traditional wedding songs are played in the background.

Madhuparka

The next ritual in a Gujarati wedding is called Madhuparka when the bride's mother leads the groom to the mandap and washes his feet with milk and water. She then offers the groom Panchamrut which comprises of milk, yoghurt, sugar, ghee and honey. All this while, the bride's sisters scheme and implement the whole Joota Chhupai (Shoe hiding) ritual.

Antarpat

An Antarpat is a cloth that's drawn between the bride and the groom once the bride enters the mandap. This ritual in a Gujarati wedding is carried out to prevent the couple from seeing each other's face.

Kanyadan

Like in most Hindu weddings, a Gujarati wedding to follows a Kanyadan tradition where the father of the bride gives away his daughter to the groom. He first washes the groom's feet and with folded hands asks him to take care of his daughter entrusting her responsibility to the groom.

Hast Melap

The wedding priest ties the holy knot by joining the groom's shawl and the bride's saree Palla signifying the unification of two souls. He also places both their hands together and chants holy mantras. All family members and relatives bless the couple by throwing rice grains and rose petals on them. 

Mangal Phera / Angi Fera

In Mangal Pheras the couple takes four circles around the holy fire while chanting mantras depicting oaths to be with each other throughout their lives. The four pheras each signify "Dharma", "Artha", "Kama" and "Moksha" respectively and are the four pillars of a happy married life. After every round, the brother of the bride hands them puffed rice to be offered to sacred fire.

Saptapadi

The Saptapadi Ritual is one of the most crucial ones in a Gujarati wedding, just like any other Hindu wedding. The bride and the groom now take seven steps together while taking seven vows of the holy matrimony. The seven vows include the promises to love, respect, take care of each other, planning a family and be eternally together.

Sindoor / Mangal Sutra/ Kansar

The final three steps in a Gujarati wedding are as follows: First, the groom applies vermillion (Sindoor) on the bride's hair mid parting. This marks as the bride's first symbol as a married woman. He then ties the Mangal Sutra around the bride's neck. Finally, the newly married couple feeds sweets to each other, which is known as the Kansar at the end of the wedding ceremony. The wedding ceremony comes to an end with the newlywed touching their elder's feet seeking their blessings.

Saubhagyavati bhava

Seven married women are invited t bless the just married couple. When the couple seeks their blessings, each woman utters the phrase "Saubhagyavati Bhava" to the bride which means "may your marital life flourish with eternal glory".

Chhedo Pakadyo

A rather funny Gujarati wedding ritual, the groom catches the Pallu of his mother in law's saree and asks for more gifts! Everyone then fills up her saree Pallu with cash and gifts which are later presented to the groom's family.

Vidai

After the reception is over, the bride bids farewell to her paternal home in an emotional Vidaai Ceremony. She throws rice grains from the back of her head towards the house she's leaving. It's a representation of her paying debts to her family.

Griha Pravesh

The bride is warmly welcomed in her new home by her mother in law. She performs Aarti of the couple and welcomes the bride. The bride is then supposed to enter the house by pushing a grain-filled pot right at the doorstep. This is considered an auspicious custom in a Gujarati wedding and is believed to bring good luck.

Aeki beki

Aeki Beki is a joyful wedding game played by the newly-wed couple. A large vessel is filled with milk, vermillion, water, coins and a gold ring. The couple has to find the ring inside the vessel using only their right hands. The winner in this game receives token money or gift from the family. 

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