Sindhi Wedding Rituals

They are based on Vedic rites and are celebrated with full of traditions and colorful customs. The marriages are set according to the status of both the families. Before setting the final ceremony, the priest matches the horoscopes of the prospective bride and groom. He is also responsible for deciding the date for the auspicious occasion. These traditions are completed only after before, on the day and post event ceremonies are completed. The pre-event customs are mehndi, Santh custom, Sangeet party, Saagri tradition and Ghari puja. Sangeet party is the most entertaining day during the occasion where music and dances are performed followed by cocktail and dinner.

'Paon Dhulai' is the first ceremony in which the bride and groom are seated in front of each other with a screen that separates them. The bride's brother washes the feet of both of them with raw milk in a bronze thali. Jaimala is the next step that happens during the ceremony where the garlands are exchanged by the bride and the groom. 'Hathialo' is the next rite that occurs during the occasion where the corner of the bride's sari is tied to the groom's scarf. The right hands of the partners are tied with religiously blessed thread. The tying of the hands indicate that the bonding between would last forever.

The real custom starts with the mantras from the priest in presence of the family and friends. The couple walks around the holy fire four times taking promises of duty, love, fidelity, respect and a fruitful union. The groom shows the acceptance by keeping the bride's hand over his forehead denoting that he is destined to marry her regardless of all the worst conditions. "Kanyadaan" is the custom of offering the daughter in the safe keepings of the groom and his family. "Kanyadaan" is followed by "Vidai" where the bride makes her way towards groom's home leaving behind her parent's house.

After the occasion, customs like Datar, Chhanar and Sataurah are performed which denote the end of the ceremonies. They are specially performed to welcome the bride to the groom's house for starting her new life.