Apart from Rasgullas, there is one more thing from West Bengal that can steal our hearts in minutes and that is their wedding rituals. Unfortunately, we couldn’t provide you with Rasgullas but we can surely take you on a ride for a Bengali wedding. So let’s begin.
Beginning of a Bengali Wedding
It all begins with an engagement. Some prefer to have an engagement and wedding altogether while some prefer to have an interval in between these two events. The preparation for a wedding begins right after the engagement. In this blog, we will talk about all those rituals and ceremonies performed at a Bengali wedding.
Ashirbad
The name itself suggests the meaning and importance of this ritual. Ashirwad means blessing and to attain blessings of all the elder people, the bride and groom perform this ritual. When to do it, it depends on the families of the bride and groom. Some prefer to have it on their wedding day or while some a day before.
Bor Jatri
In my opinion, this moment is a lifelong experience for every groom. An experience that they can cherish forever. The time when the groom arrives at the wedding venue, the bride’s family performs this ritual. They welcome their son-in-law with full energy and a heart filled with love. Dances and music performances are there for the groom’s family.
All these things show how much respect and love the bride’s family has for their son-in-law and their family. It also shows how important the groom is to the bride’s family.
Bor Boron
After these musical and dance performances, the traditions began. The bride’s mother does the puja and performs Arti for the groom. This ritual makes him feel that he is now a part of this family and they all are now one. After making him feel at home, the whole groom’s family then gets sweets. It is very obvious right, I mean no special event is complete without sweets. Mandatory!
Potto Bastra
After Bor Jatri and Bor Boron, one more ritual is there in continuation of these two, i.e. Potto Bastra. The bride’s family offers the groom a pair of new clothes that he is going to wear for the wedding ceremony.
Saat Paak
Till now, whatever rituals we have discussed it’s all about the welcome of the groom. Seems unfair to the bride. Don’t worry, this ritual belongs to the bride. It is the grand welcome of the bride. Her brothers carry her in a Piri and bring her to the mandap. The ritual doesn’t end here, in fact, the main thing begins now.
The brother, while carrying the bride, revolves around the groom seven times. These seven rounds of brothers with the brother over their shoulder in Piri are known as Saat Paak.
Subho Drishti
Subho Drishti means Shubh Drishti. In English, it means good sight. This ritual is the first time in the whole wedding when the bride and groom look at each other. Since it’s the first time, it is not an ordinary ritual. The bride slowly removes the leaves she has been carrying with her and as soon as their eyes encounter each other, the family makes the lovely ulu dhwani.
After this comes the garlanding ceremony. In Bengali wedding culture, it is known as Mala Bodol. The exchange of garlands is done three times.
Sampradan
Okay now recall this thing, the bride’s family offers the groom a pair of new clothes for the wedding rituals. Guess who offers it, the one who is going to perform sampradan. Usually, it is the father or in any other case someone of the same aura.
In my culture, sampradan means kanyadan. Sampradan is an emotional ritual for a father as he finally gives his daughter to the groom. Various mantras and pujas are performed for the couple’s happy after-marriage life.
Sindoor Dan
Everything has its end. Just like that, this sweet Bengali wedding ends with Sindoor Daan. In the presence of everyone, after various mantras, the groom finally puts a sindoor on the forehead of the bride. Thus the bride and groom get tied up together as a couple.
Final Words
I know all these lovely events make you go crazy for a wedding and you surely would not want to miss any of the rituals. And this will only happen when you give your decor responsibilities to us, Melting Flowers. After choosing us, all you have to do is just sit back and enjoy the wedding.