Betel leaf or “paan” plays an important role in Bengali wedding. In each and every Bengali wedding ritual betel leaf is a must. But there is one specific ritual only related to betel leaf and that is “Panokhili” which literally means “binding the betel leaf”
Purohit or the priest finds one auspicious day for “panokhili” which may fall on any day before wedding. Usually five married women take part in this ritual. First, they utter “uludhoni” and then arrange the betel leaves, bind them with a stick after adding betelnut. Turmeric is a symbol of good luck, hence it is kept on the plate. The betel leaves are marked with “sindur” or vermilion.
Then married women proceed towards nearby temple and worship for good married life of soon-to be bride and groom.
They return back to home after worshipping and put the selected betel leaves on “mangal ghot” or holi pot. During putting the betel leaves women produce a sound called “uludhoni” usually odd number of times.
Previously women used to sing many traditional weddings songs for each and every wedding ritual which had been sung for generations. But these days hardly this is seen. Women join for singing and dance together giving a very traditional touch to this wedding ritual – panokhili.
Betel leaves of “panokhili” can be preserved and used during other wedding rituals if they remain in good condition.
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