“Boubhat” is the ritual of cooking food at in-law’s house for the first time by newly wed bride. This happens next day after bride’s arrival. In some families “bashi biye” takes place at groom’s house. In that case after completion of “bashi biye” rituals for “boubhat” take place. The rituals Read more…
Bashi Biye consists of two words – “bashi” means stale or old and “biye” means wedding. Thus bashi biye literally means marriage for the second time. Bashi Biye happens in the morning after “bashor ghor” (bride and the groom are supposed to stay awake till morning) either at bride’s house Read more…
Bidai is a tearful event. Even the girl who has never cried in her life will start shedding tears thinking that she will have to leave her parents’ house. But at the same time it is also the beginning of a new life with new people. In some families bidai Read more…
Holding Dorpon and Lokkhir bhandar: On the day of wedding the bride holds a small round brass object called “dorpon” and small wooden “Lokkhir bhandar” or Goddess Laxmi’s pot. “Lokkhir bhandar” symbolises women being the good luck charm for prosperity in the family. The groom also holds “dorpon” from the Read more…
Wedding day finally arrives….In Bengali wedding “bor” or the groom has to wear “topor” on his head and white “dhoti”. But these days groom usually wear ready-made dhoti of different colors to give the best look on his wedding day. Relatives of the bride go to the groom’s house for Read more…
Turmeric paste is known to improve appearance and Bengalees have a ritual named “gaye holud” showcasing the relationship between the bride and her glowy look!
Jolbhora consists of two words – jol means water and bhora means to fill up. Hence the ritual literally means filling up of jars/pitchers (usually Kolosh or brass jar/pitcher) for pre-wedding bath after “Gaye Holud”. The day before wedding is usually fixed for jolbhora ritual. On this day mothers of Read more…
Bengali wedding is vibrant and inbuilt fun throughout the ceremony makes it unique. Rice is the staple food of eastern part of India. It has special importance in wedding rituals. Both husked rice and rice in food form are special in Bengali Hindu wedding. There are two rituals involving cooked Read more…
Vriddhi or sometimes called “aibodhi” is a ritual to remember bride and groom’s ancestors. The priest or “purohit” finds an auspicious day before wedding day and let the family members know the requirements of this ritual. Bride and groom’s father/paternal guardian arranges accordingly. On the pre-decided day special puja or Read more…
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 Read more…