Traditional Himachali Wedding Rituals of Himachal Pradesh

Traditions of Himachali Wedding

A wedding is the most beautiful part of one's life. We know India for its diversity and the type of ceremonies it follows. A Himachali wedding is one of them, which is full of fun and always intrigues everyone. Himachal Pradesh, located in northern India, is known for its scenic beauty and rich tradition. Weddings in Himachal Pradesh are the perfect example of this rich culture and how people celebrate love and unity. Here's a closer look at the traditional weddings of Himachal Pradesh. The Himachal Pradesh wedding dress of men is a long kurta and a turban, and women wear beautiful lehenga completing it with adding jewellery.

Pre-Wedding Ceremonies:

The wedding celebrations in Himachal Pradesh start with pre-wedding ceremonies like the engagement ceremony, Mehndi, and Sangeet. The engagement ceremony is a formal announcement of the wedding, and the couple exchange rings and gifts. Mehndi is a fun-filled ceremony where the bride and female relatives get intricate henna designs applied on their hands and feet.

There are many Himachali wedding rituals which are done -

The Matchmaking- It is one of the most important steps; in this process, a mediator known as Dhammu is hired.; He assists in finding the perfect spouse for the bride and groom as well as a match that is appropriate in terms of social level.

Haldi- It is a natural herb used in Marriage. Family and relatives put haldi on the face of the bride and groom because haldi fills one's life with positivity. It is known to be an auspicious herb. In addition, it adds a glow to the face.

Mama swagat- Swagat is the word for welcome, while Mama refers to the maternal uncle. Mama is greeted by the family with music, blessings, and treats. Mama adds more fun to the wedding by blessing and gifting precious things to the bride and groom with best wishes for their future.

Sehra Bandi- It adds an essential touch to the groom's wedding dress; the groom wears sehra around his head. The spouses of uncles tie it because they bless the groom with luck and positivity.

The Himachal Pradesh wedding is a simple and traditional affair. It is performed in the presence of close family members and friends and follows Hindu customs and rituals. First, the bride and groom take seven vows and exchange flower garlands, signifying their union. Then, when the wedding is over, the couple makes seven turns around a sacred fire, symbolising their commitment to each other.

Post-Wedding Celebrations:

The wedding celebrations in Himachal Pradesh continue with post-wedding ceremonies like the reception and Vidaai. At the reception, friends and family gather to eat, dance, and toast the couple's marriage. The Vidaai ceremony is an emotional event in which the bride bids farewell to her family and departs with her husband.

Food and Clothing:

Himachali cuisine is famous for its rich and flavorful dishes, and Himachal Pradesh weddings are no exception. Sidu, Madra, Babru, and Kullu trout are all words used in a traditional Himachali wedding feast. The bride and groom are dressed in traditional Himachali attire, with the bride wearing a long, flowing skirt, a colourful shawl, and heavy jewellery, and the groom wearing a turban and a long, flowing scarf. The food is simple but tasty, and people eat it while conversing and laughing with one another.

Conclusion:

Weddings in Himachal Pradesh are a celebration of love, unity, and culture. From pre-wedding ceremonies like Mehendi and Sangeet to traditional wedding ceremonies and post-wedding celebrations, each aspect of a Himachali wedding reflects the region's rich cultural heritage. With its scenic beauty and rich cultural traditions, Himachal Pradesh is a popular destination for destination weddings, and couples from all over the country come to this beautiful state to exchange their vows and start their lives together. People add life to weddings by performing Himachal wedding rituals. It is essential to do it according to the rituals, which increases the chances of a successful wedding. It gets an emotional moment when the bride is ready to start a new life with her partner with unique patterns, but both families bless the couple with long life.

Frequently Asked Questions

The tradition of marriage is simple, wherein the groom dresses up in a long kurta which the spouse of an uncle ties. This tradition begins when the groom arrives at the venue, starts with pooja, and takes the blessings of elders from both sides of the family. Then, the bride is dressed in a lehenga with jewellery. The red tint adds colour to the look of the bride. Himachali weddings have a tradition of welcoming everyone with happiness and making the event more successful.

This is quite an essential ritual which carries a lot of significance; it ensures the relationship's longevity. It is a cloth of vows they give each other on their big day. This will ensure a healthy relationship.

During the Himachal wedding, there is a tradition of haldi, a natural herb that relatives put on the bride and groom, adding glow to their face. Later, all the ladies gather and add colours with their dance and sangeet.

Bidai is one the most important ceremonies, leaving the bride's side with teary eyes and happiness. With immense love, they wave off the daughter to start a new life with utmost happiness.

Himachali cuisine is known for its rich and flavorful dishes, and weddings in Himachal Pradesh are no exception. A traditional Himachali wedding feast comprises dishes like Sidu, Madra, Babru, and Kullu trout.

The bride and groom dress in traditional Himachali attire, with the bride wearing a long, flowing skirt, a colourful shawl, and heavy jewellery, while the groom wears a turban and a long, flowing scarf.