Ashirwad:
Generally, there is no concept of engagement in a Hindu wedding. People often associate engagement as fixing of a wedding. In Bengal matrimony, Ashirwad is the ceremony, which is similar to the engagement ceremony and is organized two-three day prior to the wedding day. Ashirwad is a confirmation of the marriage alliance. During the Ashirwad ceremony, the groom’s family visits the bride’s home, where they shower the bride with lots of blessings and gifts, which include saris for the bride, jewellery like gold ring, chain, etc., sweets, betel nuts, etc.
The Ashirwad ceremony is conducted in the presence of a priest who worships the idol of Bhagwan Narayan. Similarly, the bride’s family visits the groom’s home and gifts him gold ring, gold buttons, sweets, watch, etc.
Gaye halud:
Also known as haldi or turmeric ceremony in Bengal Matrimony where turmeric paste is massage all over the body of the bride and groom at their respective homes. Turmeric is an antiseptic, and is believed to bring a glow on the face of the person, who is about to be wedded.
Dodhi Mangal:
Dodhi Mangal is celebrated in the wee hours of the wedding day at both bride’s and groom’s houses. I missed the previous rituals in my friend’s wedding, so I decided to follow all the customs of the wedding. It was a new experience for me, when ten married women of the family accompany the bride and groom to a nearby pond, and are made to bath in the sacred water. I did not know the motive of this ritual, as every ritual has some story related to it. My friend’s mother told me that this is done to invite Goddess Ganga to the wedding. After the bride and groom take bath, they bring back a pitcher of water with them, and take bath again. The bride and groom are given food, which mainly consists of fried fish, rice, curd and chiruya.
After the completion of the pre-wedding rituals of Bengal matrimony, the Bengali Marriage was conducted in the evening.
Author: Rashmi Karan
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