Rajasthan, known all across the world for hosting rich fat wedding, has four main functions which are colourful and make the surroundings live with rich celebrations.
Making the wedding celebrations a lively and extravagant affair, these ceremonies starting with an engagement go all the way through to post-wedding!
- Tilak
This engagement ceremony mostly takes place at the groom-to-be’s residence. The name of this ceremony symbolises tilak application (vermilion mark) on the groom’s forehead in the presence of both families. This ceremony reflects bonding of the alliance between them. Various gifts including clothes, fruits, sweets etc are gifted to the groom. Thereafter, a grand celebration starts with a grand feast to mark the occasion. - Toran – Bandan
Under this celebration, the groom makes his way to the bride’s home on a horse, following his wedding procession. As he is mounted on the horse, he touches a floral decoration part which is hanging above the entrance called toran seven times. Thereafter, the groom is greeted by his mother-in-law who anoints his forehead with curd and mustard. - Saptapadi
This is the most pious ritual of the wedding ceremony which is performed under an exquisitely decorated pandal. Here, the bridegroom takes bride’s hand and takes the oath of marriage. Both of them walk around the holy fire seven times. The bride leads the groom for the first three rounds, while the groom leads during the last four rounds. During these rounds, the priest recites mantras from the Vedas. During the first three rounds, the bride remains a part of her family but the fourth round signifies that she now belongs to another family – the bridegroom’s. - Music and Dance
Music and Dance comprise an important part of Rajasthani wedding. The females dancing to the folk songs in traditional dressing brings to fore the rich cultural aspect of the desert state.