Gujrati Wedding Rituals
With the Ambani wedding becoming a pop cultural event capturing headlines for its lavish affair, you may be curious to know more about some of the rituals behind Gujarati weddings. Although Anant and Rakdhika's wedding is far from "the norm," given their heritage, their families have followed many of the customs traditionally practiced by Hindu Gujarati families.
We're breaking down some of the most common ones in this blog post. Of course, this list won't be comprehensive since rituals often differ across families and even regions. We hope this helps add more context to some of the beautiful images seen from this iconic Indian wedding.
Gol Dhana/Engagement:
When: Pre-wedding
What: The first ceremony that formally kicks off the upcoming nuptials
Why: To schedule/announce the auspicious wedding date
Lagan Lakhvanu:
When: Pre-wedding
What: It marks the writing of the first official wedding invite called Kankatri, which is offered to God to seek blessings. Wedding invites are then sent out.
Mandap Mahurat:
When: Pre-wedding
What: It is conducted to seek blessings from Mother Earth to set up the mandap (wedding altar).
How: A decorative wooden stick is placed in a pot with soil
Grah Shanti:
When: Pre-wedding
What: The priest seeks blessings from the 9 planets for a harmonious union for the couple
Mosalu/Mameru:
When: Pre-wedding
What: The bride's maternal uncles showers the bride with gifts including saree. jewelry, sweets and dry fruits.
Mehndi:
When: 1-2 days pre-wedding
What: Intricate henna designs are applied to the bride's hands, arms and feet. For added fun, the groom’s name is hidden in one of the patterns.
Sangeet/Garba:
When: 1-2 days pre-wedding
What: An evening of upbeat music and dancing to bring the two families closer. Some Gujarati families also perform an aarti, as they would during Navratri.
Pithi/Haldi:
When: Day before the wedding
What: It is a paste made from turmeric, sandalwood, rosewater, and gram flour. The paste is applied to the bride and groom's body by close friends and family.
Pokhna
When: During the wedding
What: A lighthearted custom where the bride's mother playfully tries to pull the groom's nose
Varghodo/Baraat:
When: During the wedding
What: The groom's sister rattles a wrapped bowl of coins over his head to ward off evil spirits. The groom and all the guests then set out in a procession dancing their way to the wedding venue.
Stealing the Groom’s Shoes:
When: During the wedding
What: Once the groom arrives at the mandap, the bridesmaids attempt to steal and hide his shoes, only to return them after a round of playful negotiations.
Varmala/Jai Mala:
When: During the wedding
What: An exchange of flower garlands between the bride & groom. Some couples playfully stretch out of reach to make it challenging for their partner.
Madhuparka:
When: During the wedding
What: At the mandap, the bride's parents wash the groom’s feet with milk & water, then offers the groom Panchamrut.
Antarpat:
When: During the wedding
What: A cloth is drawn between the bride & groom once the bride enters the mandap, to prevent the couple from seeing each other's faces.
Kanya Daan:
When: During the wedding
What: The father of the bride entrusts his daughter to the groom, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Hast Melap:
When: During the ceremony
What: The groom's shawl and the bride's saree are tied together, symbolizing unity. Family members bless the couple by throwing rice grains and rose petals on them.
Mangal Phera:
When: During the wedding
What: The couple takes 4 circles around the holy fire while chanting mantras, depicting oaths to be with each other throughout their lives.
Saptapadi:
When: During the wedding
What: The couple takes 7 steps together signifying 7 vows including the promises to love, respect, support each other, and grow the family. 
Sindoor/Mangal Sutra:
When: During the wedding
What: The groom applies sindoor on the bride and ties a mangal sutra around her neck, which both mark as her first symbols of a married woman.
Saubhagyavati Bhava:
When: During the wedding
What: Seven married women bless the newlyweds by uttering the phrase, "May your marital life flourish with eternal glory,” in their ears.
Vidai:
When: End of the wedding
What: The bride bids farewell to her family as she departs for her new home with her husband. This marks the end of the wedding ceremony.
Griha Pravesh:
When: Post-wedding
What: The bride is welcomed in her new home by her in-laws, as she enters the house by pushing a grain-filled pot right at the doorstep.
Aeki Beki:
When: Post-wedding
What: A fun game played by the bride and groom to find a ring hidden in a bowl of milk and water, to add more lightheartedness to the festivities.
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Modi Toys is a children's brand of toys and books inspired by ancient Hindu culture. We exist to spread joy and to spark curiosity in the next generation through our innovative soft plush toys, illustrated children's books and free learning resources. Our weekly Theology Thursday series covers a wide range of topics rooted in Hinduism to help us better understand the origins of traditions, the symbolic meaning of rituals, and the stories behind Hindu holidays and festivals. The more we can understand "the why" behind this 4,000 year ancient religion, and make sense of it in this modern age, the greater we can appreciate and preserve our rich Hindu culture. While we take great care in thoroughly researching the information presented, we may occasionally get some things wrong. We encourage a healthy and open dialogue so we can learn together. Please leave a comment below or email us directly at support@moditoys.com to address any concerns.
