Wedding Rituals in Bengali Matrimony

India is the richest country in terms of wedding traditions. Hinduism sees marriage as the purest sacrament. No matter the wedding is conducted in which state, the importance of wedding rituals and customs is always same. Indian culture mainly practices monogamy, and preferably arranged marriages. In the Bengali community, the wedding is very traditional and includes a number of colourful and elaborate rituals. The rituals in Bengali Matrimony are really fun-filled and enjoyable, and keep a significant importance in the married life of the couple. Generally, the wedding rituals continue for three days, including pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding rituals. Every celebration in the Bengali marriage involves the family members and friends of both families, without who the wedding celebrations are incomplete. Each custom is celebrated with complete dedication and faith, as Bengali community is known for its love towards their culture. The wedding celebrations start with Ashirwad ceremony, where the groom’s family go to the house of bride-to-be and offer her gifts and blessings. In the similar way, the bride’s family also goes to the groom’s family where they also offer gifts and blessings to the groom. Gaye Halud is a ceremonial custom in which turmeric paste is applied on the body of the bride as well as groom. The turmeric paste is sent from the groom’s family to the bride, where the groom is also applied with the turmeric paste. Every Bengali wedding is characterized by the blowing of the conch shells and ululation of family members of the house. On the wedding day, the bride is beautifully decorated in Banarasi silk sari and is decked with gold jewellery. Alike other Indian Hindu communities, wedding in Bengali community is also solemnized in front of the sacred fire. During the wedding the bride is brought up to the wedding place by her brothers and the bride holds two betel leaves so that there is no direct eye contact between the couple. The bride takes seven rounds of the groom and then their eyes meet. During the entire rituals, the priests chant wedding hymns and the couple takes marriage vows. There is a custom of taking seven rounds of fire in the Hindu community, known a saptapadi. After these rituals, the groom puts vermillion in the hair parting of bride, with a silver coin or ring. The blessings of priests and elders are taken by the couple and they are declared as husband and wife. The bride bids adieu to her paternal house and enters her new life with her husband. On the next day of wedding, there is the occasion of Bashi Biye, where some more marriage customs are also observed. The bride is given a warm welcome by the family members of the groom’s family and a reception party is arranged which includes feast of sumptuous and lip smacking food, mainly non-vegetarian. The couple receives the best wishes and blessings of family members and friends for their blissful married life. This concludes the Bengali matrimony.