What are Punjabi Weddings?

Question

I'm doing a speech in class about punjabi wedding, i don't know what to talk about at all!!!!!
PLEASE HELP!
its a five minute speech and i'm in college.

Thanks

Answer 1

Go to this website it has alot of information on the different varieties of punjabi weddings. http://www.rediff.com/search/2003/jun/18tr3.htm

Answer 2

I have a great tip for you. Go to http://www.yahoo.com and type in Punjabi wedding. Do you know anything about Punjabi at all??

Answer 3

I think instead of asking us online you should go look it up on the internet because if you are in college and sitting her asking us we could tell you anything. But i will tell you it's a type of Indian wedding! But please do some work stop being lazy and research! that's what i have to do everyday and I am in college

Answer 4

The Punjabi wedding is a very festive affair, with a lot of sub functions thrown in for the simple joy of the occasion. It is time for congregation of relatives and friends with a liberal spattering of merrymaking and joy.

The Marriage Ceremonies are:



Rokna or Thaka:
Acceptance of the alliance Roka is the first and smallest of the ceremonies, the parents of the bride and the groom solemnize that the son and daughter respectively have been booked for each other. This is a virtual engagement.

Sagai: Engagement The actual engagement takes place a few days before the actual wedding. Rings are exchanged between the bride and the groom, in the presence of a religious head, close friends and relatives. The day of the wedding is normally be fixed after the 'sagai'.

Chunni Chadana:
Dressing up and blessing the bride One day before the wedding the female members of the groom's household go to the bride's home with the 'suhag ki pitari' (a decorated basket containing gifts from the groom's mother for the bride). These gifts usually consists of 'mehendi' (henna), clothes, jewelery, fruits, dry fruits, dried coconut, dried dates, bangles, 'sindoor' (vermilion powder) and a red 'dupatta' or veil. During this ceremony the ladies sing wedding songs to the beat of a 'dholak' or small drum and vail the bride with the traditional red 'dupatta'.

Uptan: The cleansing ceremony On the eve before the wedding, the bride and groom (at their respective homes) are cleansed with turmeric paste. This ceremony is performed to cleanse and cool the body, and signifies the cleansing of the soul. 'Uptan' is a paste made of sandalwood, turmeric and rose water, this is applied by seven married female members of the families, to the face, hands and feet of the bride and groom.

After this ceremony the bride and the groom are barred from exposing themselves to the elements (environmental, physical & emotional) till the wedding ceremony.

Mehendi (Henna): Decking up the bride The 'Mehendi' celebration is a lighthearted affair with no religious connotation. Henna is the eco friendly and natural tattoo paste made from the roots of the Henna plant. It has the unique property of soothing and cooling the wearer.

This event has no pre designate time in the flow of ceremonies, normally forming a continuation of sangeet, the ladies of the house draw intricate patterns on their hands, arms and feet. The most intricate and complicate patters being reserved for the bride. In some households the groom too is given a spot on the pals the benefit from the properties of Henna.

Sangeet: Musical night Sangeet is a musical affair celebrating the joysness of the occasion. Usually held in conjunction with the 'mehendi' ceremony, is primarily a ladies function, held by each household separately for their guests.

Traditional marriage songs are sung to the beat of the drum.

Kangna Bandhana: The symbolic bracelet On the morning of the wedding, the bride and the groom in their respective homes), are tied the mouli (sacred thread) their right wrists. The 'mouli' is a red thread strung through iron 'challa' (bracelet), turmeric sticks, 'supari' (betel nut) and 'kaudis' (shells).

Chuda Chadana The white bangles This ceremony is also held on the morning of the wedding. The pundit does a puja and the bride's maternal uncles give her a set of choodas (21 bangles in red and white ivory) after washing them in milk. As per tradition, the bride should ideally wear these for at least a year. Nowadays the bride wears the chooda for a month and a quarter.
For the bride's mother and father the maternal uncle gets gifts - nanke chaak.
As a symbol of best wishes and blessings, the sisters, sister-in-law and friends tie kaleeras made of thin silver and plated with gold on an iron bangle worn by the girl.

PUNJABI SANATHAN DHARAM WEDDING



Sehra Bandhi: Traditional headdress Just before the groom mounts the mare the married ladies from his family tie the 'pagadi' or turban, the 'sehra' or floral veil, which covers the groom's face, put 'shagun' in his 'jholi' or lap as a symbol of blessings. The 'shagun' usually consists of a red 'dupatta', dried coconut and dried dates or 'chuaare'. Then the groom's nephew or 'sarbala' as he is referred to, mounts the mare along with the groom and the two are ready to leave for the wedding procession

Ghodi Sajana: Decorating the Mare As per old customs & traditions the groom rides to the wedding location mounted on a mare. The mare or 'ghodi' is traditionally decorated for this wedding journey.
To ward off any evil eye, the bhabhi then puts surma in the groom's eye.
The groom's jija (sister's husband) helps him sit on the horse. The sister offers roasted gram to the horse. They also tie a golden thread to the reins of the horse. This is called wagh bandhai.
Then the baraat sets out for the bride's house.

Agwaani:
Receiving the Groom The bride's family receives the 'baraat' at the entrance of the bride's home As the baraat reaches the venue, friends and relatives break into a dance.

It is welcomed at the gate by the members of the bride's family and relatives.

Milni: Welcoming the groom
This ceremony is normally for acquainting the relatives of the two families with each other. It is very typical for each relative to embrace his counterpart - grooms and bride's fathers, maternal uncles (mamas) and paternal uncles (chachas), in the other family. Throughout the 'milni' the groom and the 'sarbala' remain mounted on the mare. Once all the relatives have greeted each other, the bride's brother or another male relative help the groom off the mare. The groom is then escorted to the threshold of the house and the bride's mother performs the 'aarti' (traditional Indian welcome ritual with a lamp or 'diya' placed on a platter or 'thali') to welcome her son-in-law.

Jaimala: Exchange of garlands After the bride's mother has performed the 'aarti' for her son-in-law, the bride is escorted to the threshold to welcome her beau in the traditional manner by garlanding him. The groom in turn garlands his bride. This exchange of garlands is known as the 'jaimala

Shaadi: The wedding The actual wedding rites are known as 'sanatan dharam' rites and the 'pujas' conducted during the wedding ceremony include the 'Ganesha Puja' (invocation of the elephant God, Ganesha), 'Omkar Puja', 'Lakshmi Puja' (invocation of the Goddess of Wealth), 'Kalash Puja' (invocation of the God of Water of Varun Devta), the 'puja' or the nine planets or the 'Navgrahi Puja'. Once all the deities have been worshipped, the 'havan' or sacred fire is lit to invoke the blessings of 'Agni Devta' or the God of Fire. Fire forms an integral part of all Hindu customs and rituals, as it symbolizes purity and also acts as a witness to the marriage - in other words 'Agni Sakshi'.

All the vows between the bridal couple are exchanged in the presence of this 'witness'.During the entire process - the 'pujas', the 'havan' and the 'saath pheras' (seven steps around the sacred fire) the couple's hands remain tied

Bidaai:Bridal send off Before the bride leaves for her marital home, she either lights a 'mitti ka diya' (earthen lamp) in her parents home or turns on all the lights.

What follows is the most touching and sensitive ritual of Hindu weddings, the 'lajahom'. 'Laja' or 'phulian' is puffed rice (a sign of prosperity), which the bride has to take in both her hands and shower on all her family over the top of her head. She does this all the way to the palanquin or decorated car, which is waiting to take her to her new home. By doing this she is repaying all her debts to her parents for having looked after her all these years.

On reaching her marital home, she is welcomed at the entrance, by her mother-in-law, who performs the traditional 'aarti' for her. After this, the newly wed sprinkles a little coconut oil near the door

Kangna Kholna:
Untying of the bracelet The bride and groom untie each other's bracelets in the presence of all the relatives. There is a lot of teasing and fun and frolic at this time. The bride is required to untie her husband's bracelet first
Mooh Dikhai Ki Rasm: Introducing the bride Literally translated this means the 'showing of the bride' to the groom's family members, but in reality it is actually a form of introduction. The mother-in-law showers her 'bahu' (daughter-in-law) with jewelery, clothes and money at this time. The other close relatives of the family also offer her gifts and money. Literally translated this means the 'showing of the bride' to the groom's family members, but in reality it is actually a form of introduction. The mother-in-law showers her 'bahu' (daughter-in-law) with jewelery, clothes and money at this time. The other close relatives of the family also offer her gifts and money
Reception: Post wedding celebrations A wedding reception is a concept borrowed from the West and is now an integral part of many Indian weddings. The parents of the bride and groom host a lavish dinner and invite as many friends and relatives to introduce the newly weds to the rest of the community. The reception is generally hosted in a hotel or banquet hall