10 PRE-WEDDING RITUALS IN AGARWAL MATRIMONY

10 PRE-WEDDING RITUALS IN AGARWAL
MATRIMONY
Agarwal matrimony weddings are one of the most famous and familiar in the northern states of
India. These are considered enterprising and influential having sumptuous fests, expensive
attires and musical and fun-filled events. An Agarwal matrimony wedding is an elaborate affair,
and it usually extends over four to five days before the D Day. All the rituals are performed
separately.
Some of the important pre-wedding rituals in ​Agarwal matrimony​ are as follows:
1)
Engagement/Mudhha Tikka/ Roka/ Sagai:
Different names know this ritual, each having its meaning for the ceremony. The word room
means to stop, and thus, this ritual is considered as an event after which the families of both
bride and groom stop their search for a suitable life partner. This ritual takes place at the
groom's home. According to Agarwal matrimony, it is also considered as the day when the
marriage becomes official. During this ritual, the bride's brother puts Tilak on the groom's
forehead. Later the groom is offered a sword and other gifts that include sweets, clothes and
jewellery by the bride's family.
2)
Nadi/ Ganpati Pooja:
In India, every big occasion is done ahead of Ganpati pooja, even if it's marriage. Thus, this is
one of the most important rituals in Agarwal matrimony not only for marriage but other occasions
too. In this, a Ganpati pooja is conducted on the respective homes of the bride as well as a
groom for their prosperity and peace after the new turn in their lives. The idol of Lord Ganesha
is placed at home from that date.
3)
Godh Bharai:
This ritual is performed by the groom's sister who goes to the bride's home and offers her gifts
that include sweets and clothes, for wishing her a peaceful and happy married life and bless her
for motherhood after the wedlock, as believed in the Agarwal matrimony.
4)
Haldi/Tel Ban/ Pithi Dastoor:
This is a ritual bath done on the day of the wedding according to the Agarwal matrimony. In this
ritual, a paste made of turmeric, sandalwood and other things is used for the bath. All relatives
of the bride and groom apply this paste on the face, arms and legs using a grass brush, of both
the bride and groom. It is considered to bring the marriage glow on their faces. Also, there is a
restriction that once pithy starts, neither the bride nor the groom is allowed to leave home until
they get married.
5)
Mehndi
This ritual is performed a day before the wedding. In this ritual, mehndi/henna is applied to the
hands of the bride and other female members of the family. An expert from outside comes to
their homes to make intricate designs on the sides of females using the henna. This function is
made more full of life by music and dhol with dance in Agarwal matrimony.
6)
Mehfil/Sangeet:
Sangeet takes place a day before the wedding and is called a DJ night today, in the modern
days, it involves dancing, where all the members of the family come together and dance in joy
for the auspicious occasion. In Rajasthan, ladies perform their traditional dance called
Ghoomar. In Agarwal matrimony, this ritual takes place in the evening. Nowadays, this ritual has
turned its forms, and now the family members prepare dance performances in advance for this
day.
7)
Palla Dastoor:
According to Agarwal matrimony, this is the first step of the beginning of the bond between the
family of the groom and the bride, with whom she is going to spend her whole life. In this ritual,
the groom's family goes to the bride's house with clothes and jewellery they bring from their own
choices that the bride is ought to wear during the wedding rituals and later, as a bride is
expected to wear everything that is given by the groom's family when she enters her new home
for the first time after the wedding.
8)
Langhana Lekha:
In Agarwal matrimony, there is the enormous significance of religion, and it is a tradition to
determine the best time (called muhurat) for performing various rituals and customs, even if it's
a tiny one. Thus, this ritual is done to determine the date and time slot for all the further rituals
related to the wedding. It is done at the bride's home where firstly a small pooja takes place,
followed by the determination of a perfect time or muhurat. One it is determined, it gets on the
wedding card along with the venue and is first given to the groom's family. The wedding card is
also called the lagan Patrika.
9)
Bhaat
In Agrawal matrimony, Bhaat relates to the maternal family of the bride. In Bhaat, the bride sits
on a chaunki (a small stool with four legs) where her maternal uncle offers her gifts as a symbol
of his love and blessings.
10)
Kangana
This is one of the most faiths representing ritual in Agarwal matrimony. In this, a red thread (or a
sacred thread) is tied on the right wrist of both the bride and groom which is strung through the
iron knife, turmeric sticks and shells, which are all symbols of good luck and safety.
The above blog should help you in providing invaluable insight on pre-wedding rituals in
Agarwal Matrimony.