Bengali Wedding Shopping

Wedding shopping is an important part of the wedding preparations in India. Indian wedding shopping is not just limited to bridal fineries and jewelry, but there are other important things as well. In a Bengali Matrimony function, there are many rituals, pre and post marriage and requires numerous things. In addition, wedding shopping is done for the bride and the groom’s relatives and friends as well.

Kolkata, the capital city of Bengal is the ideal shopping destination for Bengali wedding shopping. Bengali Matrimony shopping requires saris for the bride for different rituals. The Bengali bride wears traditional Banarasi saris for the wedding night. There are many shops in selling saris for bridal wear. The shops in Gariahat Market in South Kolkata have exclusive collection of wedding saris. North Kolkata has markets like the College Street and Hathi Bagan Market selling exquisite wedding saris. 

For the other rituals, the bride wears usually handloom cotton saris from Bengal. These handloom cotton saris are available in all shades. There are many shops in Calcutta selling cotton saris. Wedding shopping for saris for Bengalis also requires gifting to the mother-in-law, groom’s sisters, relatives and friends.

Gold jewelry is a must for Bengalis to flaunt in weddings. Kolkata is known worldwide for lightweight gold jewelry. The market of Bow bazaar is rightly called the gold lane, because it has chain of shops selling gold and diamond jewelry.

Apart from the traditional markets, the shopping for Bengali wedding can be done from wedding malls that have come in the new urban localities of Kolkata. From simple bindi to expensive saris, the malls stock all the essentials of wedding shopping. Shopping for cosmetics, readymade kurta, furniture and jewelry is done under the same roof. In addition, these shopping malls are convenient for the new age professionals who are hard pressed for time.

Author: Shipra Sinha

The Vibrant Culture of Bengal

The beautiful state of Bengal lies in the eastern part of the plain of Ganges. The state is a melting pot of diverse cultures and traditions. The rule of Muslim rulers and later the British influence in the state culminated in birth of a unique culture. The culture of Bengal draws visitors from all parts of the globe. Many aspects contribute to the richness and variety of the distinctive culture.

Religion of Bengal plays an important role in defining the culture of state. Majority of the state has followers of Hindu religion. The Hindus here has their own birth, wedding and death rituals. Apart from the Hindus, there are followers of Islam and Christianity. Bengali Matrimony functions for the various religious communities differ. The Hindu Bengali Matrimony has rituals that run for several days.

Another important aspect that has shaped the distinct culture of Bengal is its literature. Bengalis have a love for literature and boasts of rich literary collection. Some of the greatest writers of all time belong from Bengal. Notable among them are Kazi Nazrul Islam, Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and the nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. There works are mostly in Bangla, the language of Bengal. Writers and authors are inspired from their work. Many of the modern writers have adapted their work in English language.

Food is another important part of the culture of Bengal. To eat the best of the regional delicacies in Bengal, people can attend any Bengali Matrimony and enjoy the sumptuous feast. Bengal’s staple food is rice and fish. Bengalis love their fish curry and other preparations made from it. Other tasty recipes from Bengal are the Aaloo Posto, Luchi, Kosha Manghso, Maacher Jhal and Sageer Chorchori. Sweets of Bengal are also famous, not just in India but in other countries as well. Most of the sweets are made from milk-based products.

Author: Shipra Sinha

Enjoy a Sumptuous Feast in a Bengali Matrimony

Food is an important part of any celebration in India and weddings are the perfect place to gorge on the delectable cuisine. And if this is a Bengali wedding then, you should be sure to stuff yourself with a range of items, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. In a Bengali Matrimony, the festivities start few days before the actual day of wedding. There are many rituals before and after the wedding. Bengalis take the best opportunity to cook their traditional delicacies during the four-five days of wedding.

The Bengali community members eat fish, meat and chicken and takes pride in their non-vegetarian recipes. In a Bengali Matrimony, the feast is incomplete without three-four non-vegetarian items. Bengalis are known worldwide for their fish in mustard gravy. Usually the people from Bengal eat sweet water fish. A variety of fish like ‘rui’, ‘katla’, ‘parshey’ and ‘praws’ are cooked in different types of sauces and spice mixture. Apart from this, goat meat and chicken items are also served in a Bengali matrimony. Chicken starters are very common in the Bengali weddings as well.

There are also a number of vegetarian items served along with the non-vegetarian items. Some common food items served in a Bengali matrimony are ‘luchi’ or ‘radhballvi’, ‘chanar dalna’ and ‘begun bhaja’. These are items usually served on the wedding night.

Sweets or misti are integral part on any Bengali Matrimony. ‘Shondesh’, a sweet made from cottage cheese is one of the most popular items in any Bengali wedding. There are many variants served and each one is typical of Bengal. Another very common sweet item is the ‘rossogulla’. This is a widely consumed sweet and liked by young and old alike.

Though most of the food served in a Bengali Matrimonial is traditional fare from the state, some Bengali families include delicacies from other Indian states as well. There are also Chinese and Mughlai items on the wedding menu.

Author: Shipra Sinha

Some Important Pre-Wedding Rituals in Bengali Wedding

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

Mesmerizing Beauty of Bengali Brides

Bengali Matrimony can be distinguished from the other cultures because of the added artistic touch in the dressing and makeup of the bride. Sparkling large eyes and lustrous black hair add to the beauty of a Bengali bride. The bridal attire is so charming that you cannot take your eyes off the bride! A Bengali bride generally dresses in a vibrant red Banarasi Saree, woven with golden stings or buta work. The pattern of draping saree by Bengali brides is unique which gives them a traditional look. However, brides have become trendy and love wearing designer sarees for their wedding these days to look more graceful.

The hair locks of the bride are tied to form a high knot making a bun. The attire does not complete without a silk chunni, which a bride wears over her head. You must have noticed a tiara or Topor over her head, which makes the bride look amazing! Some beautiful designs are painted on her face with the help of chandan paste, which distinguishes a Bengali bride from other brides.

A big red vermillion bindi is put in the centre of the forehead of the bride, which is skillfully applied, making a round shape. Do not miss the feet and hands of the bride, applied with crimson Alta.

The bride is very beautifully decked in heavy gold wedding jewelery, including necklaces, nose ring, earrings, mang-tikka, anklets, kamardhani, bajuband, and may more. I have got the chance to attend many Bengali marriages and have noticed that the jewelery design of the Bengali's is generally very traditional, with floral designs and engraved peacocks or butterflies. The bangles worn by a Bengali bride are different from those worn by the brides of other states. The bangles generally include – Shankha - a conch shell bangle, Paula – a lac bangle and Loha- an iron bangle. Sindoor and the bangles define the marital status of the brides.