Gujarat is a state immersed deep in cultural ethics. All over the world the Gujaratis take pride and happiness in celebrating their festivals such as Navaratri and gaily dance away nights in the Ras Garba. Whatever may they be doing, the Gujarati women love to make traditional snacks a la Bhakris at home. So, it is not surprising that when it comes to weddings, the Gujaratis go for all the customs that are part and parcel of a traditional Gujarati marriage.
MARRIAGE THROUGH THE AGES
Gujarati wedding is a ritualistic concept just like the other Indian marriages. It is inevitably a storehouse of sundry fun-filled rituals and many a pious occasion. A typical Gujarati wedding begins with the prayers invoking Lord Ganesha's blessings, followed by mehndi, sangeet mehfil and general gaiety.
MATCH MAKING
Gujaratis make matches for their daughters and sons within the communities. Like most of the other Indian communities the father of the girl looks for his daughter's husband as soon as she grows up. The tradition is that the girl should not be very highly education. If the girl becomes more educated then it is become difficult for the father to find a suitable match for her. Gujaratis prefer that the boy and girl see each other and take the decision of marrying or not marrying for that matter.
Bridal Wear
Saree is the usual bridal wear for the Gujarati girls. They wear the saree in a bit different style though. Red is the color which is thought to be most auspicious for the occasion. Designer Lehengas are also fast becoming popular these days.
Groom's Attire
The Gujarati bridegrooms wear the traditional kurta dhoti. Nowdays they are going for the formal suits or the designer kurta pyajamas for the big day.
Rituals Before Marriage
Ghari Puja is the final and most important religious custom that is performed on the eve of the wedding day. Ghari Puja is carried out in the respective homes of the couple. The priest performs the prayers with rice, coconut, wheat grains, oil, betel nuts, turmeric and a number of other spices. Married ladies grind wheat on a small old fashioned grinder symbolizing that the home will always be prosperous. The groom offers a handful of grains to the priest indicating that although he is changing his lifestyle, he will always give to charity and look after those less fortunate than himself.
The mothers of both the bride and groom dress up in their bridal finery. Carrying an earthen pot of water on their heads, they walk to the threshold of their homes. The son-in-law of the respective families cut the water with a knife to ward off any evil spirits. The parents are adorned with garlands of flowers and money by their friends and relatives. The bride and groom wear old clothes that are torn off by their friends and family members amidst merriment, illustrating the end of their old life.
The usual fanfare starts off with the arrival of the groom - "Ponkvu" - whom the mother-in-law welcomes at the doorway and performs the "Aarti". There is a custom in this which has the groom's mother trying to grab his nose implying that he has finally arrived. She tires to rub her nose at her door and make him ask for her daughter's hand in marriage. It invokes the intended hilarity among the onlookers.
"Madhuparka" takes place after the "Jaimala". It's a ritual which involves the washing of the groom's feet while sitting under the "Mandap". He is then offered milk and honey. Following this is the most interesting custom, wherein the groom's sisters-in-law steal his shoes and hide away. The groom has to get back his shoes at the end of the day and for this he has to offer them a sum of money which is agreeable to them.
The Gujarati custom entails that the girl's maternal uncle i.e. the "mama" carries the bride to the mandap. There, the curtain known as "Antarpaat" which separated the bride and groom, is lowered and the couple put garlands in each other's necks. Then the bride's hand is placed over the groom's in the ritual of "Hasta milap".
Marriage Rituals
Hathialo (Joining of the Hands) is the ceremony in which the corner of the brides sari is tied to a scarf which is worn by the groom. The right hands of the couple are tied with a thread that has been blessed with religious incantations. The typing of the hands signifies an eternal bond that will join them forever. The couple then pray to the Gods to give them strength and bless their union.
After this the "Varmala" ceremony takes place in which a cord is tied around the couple's necks to protect them from evil influences. And finally, the bride's father gives her away to the groom, thus doing the "Kanyadaan". "Mangal Phera" takes place after this, which has the couple taking four circles of the auspicious fire instead of the customary seven. These four circles symbolize the four cardinal principles of life i.e. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.
Rituals After Marriage
A few rituals are yet left such as those of the "Saubhagyavati Bhava" and the "Vidaai". In the former, the elderly, married women of the girl's family whisper "Aashirwaad" - blessings - into the right ear of the bride. Whereas the latter indicates an end to the blissful affair. The "Vidaai" has the girl leaving for the groom's house. Thus, it marks the beginning of a new life for the new couple.
CELEBRATIONS
Music & Dance
Sangeet Mehfil (Musical Party) takes place in a Gujarati wedding. Sangeet night has professional singers or orchestra party is called to entertain the guests and the Barati. Family and friends eat, drink and dance the night away.
Cuisine
It is a well-known fact that the Rich Gujarati Community of India is a fun loving and food loving Community. Not only are their daily meals a treat to partake off but their wedding lunches and dinners are definitely sumptuous.Kachori, Alu Chat, Mixed Kanthol (sprouts) Bhaji, Nav Ratan Kurma, Dal Fry, Kadhi, Dal and pulao, vegetables etc.Also there are the Boondi Raita, Rasmalai, Shrikhand and Ice cream.
SOME STRANGE CUSTOMS
At the groom's house, they play a game called "Aeki-beki". In this, several coins and a ring are placed in a tray of water covered by milk and vermilion. It is believed that the person who finds the ring four times first, would be the ruler of the house.
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