Bengali Wedding Rituals

These customs follow a long and elaborative list before and after the main day. Such sacred event in this religion is usually accomplished with pre-engagement, engagement, main day and finally post-event day customs. Every phase of the occasion includes number of rites that are accomplished by their purohits. The ceremony starts from the traditional ashirbaad, aai budo bhaat, holud Kota and dodhi mongol.

They start with 'bor jatri' where the groom and his guests make way to the bride's residence in the best attire. Bor Boron is a custom where the groom is welcomed by the bride's mother. They are usually welcomed by showing holy earthen lamp, sprinkling trefoil and kula, along with sweets and drinks. The groom, bride, and priest take their place for continuing the ceremony. Saat Paak is then carried out where the bride's brothers lift the bride and perform seven complete circles around the groom. After this, there is the three times exchange of garlands during 'mala badal'.

The next part of the ceremony comprise of 'sampradan', which is accomplished by one of the elder members from the bride's family. The elderly male gives the bride over to the groom. The bride and groom are asked to chant mantras after the priest and the fire god 'Agni' witnesses the marriage. The couple is then asked to make seven circular rounds to solemnize the occasion. Once this is done, an offering is made to the fire god in 'Anjali'. Sindoor Daan is the final rite of the day where the groom applies the Sindoor on the bride's hair-parting and bride covers her head with the presented sari of the groom.

The traditions don't stop on the special day but continue with some more post-event ones. Every speck of the customs is filled with lots of enjoyments, sweets and some other delicious foods. Bengali wedding is surely one of the finest ceremonies in India.