Punjabi Wedding Traditions

When it comes to Sikh weddings, there may be slight variations in which ceremonies are included during the big day. This is because, although the religion’s origin is in Punjab, not all Punjabi people may celebrate its traditions in the same way. To make sure that each of these beautiful ceremonies is highlighted equally, we’ve put together this sub-guide to pair alongside our Sikh Wedding Ceremony guide! Here you will find Punjabi-specific ceremonies that may or may not be seen in a Sikh wedding.

Enjoy!

Punjabi Ceremonies

Varmala (Garland Competition) 

Once the bride and groom have made their way into the wedding hall and are positioned at the muhurat, the couple will exchange beautiful flower garlands. A bit of fun will be had by those attending the wedding as it’s customary for a competition to take place! The two sides will try to lift the bride and groom higher than the other to make it extremely difficult to place the garlands around their necks. The couple will playfully try to get their garland on the other person first. As can be imagined, this special ceremony brings a lighthearted and laughter-filled atmosphere to the wedding day that can be enjoyed by everyone!

Madhuperk (The First Sip)

After the garlands have been placed, the bride and groom will settle into their places in front of the mandap where the groom is then given a small bowl of water to drink from. Some of this water will be sprinkled on his feet before he finishes the rest. Before any more of the wedding ceremonies can proceed, the groom must then drink from another bowl containing a mixture of honey, curd, milk, ghee, and a few other holy essences.

Kanyadaan (Giving of the Bride)

During this part of the Punjabi wedding ceremony, the bride’s father will officially put her into the care of the groom. The bride’s father will accept the groom through traditional Vedic mantras and request that the groom takes excellent care of his wife-to-be. As the groom accepts the bride’s hand and promises to take care of her, the wedding havan will be lit with sacred fire. The groom will then be handed a plate of flour that has 14 parallel lines drawn on it. These lines symbolize the 14 vows of marriage and the priest will highlight each one through a mantra. As each vow is read, the groom will repeat after the priest and erase the corresponding line with a flower bud.

Lajahom (Fire’s Blessing)

Similar to the Sikh tradition, the bride and groom will circle the center of the stage four times as hymns are recited. After this has been completed, it is time for the Lajahom ( or the fire ritual) to take place. During this ceremony, the bride’s brother will pour puffed rice into her hands. Together, the bride and groom will throw the rice into the fire and ask for the Fire God’s blessing on their marriage. This process will then be repeated three times.

Sindoor Daan (Completion of the Ceremony)

Once the Lajahom is over, the groom will signify the end of the ceremony by applying a sindoor to the bride’s hair parting and tying the Mangulsutra around her neck.

Joota Chhupai (Hide and Seek Shoes)

While the wedding is going on, a fun Punjabi tradition is for the groom’s sisters to steal his shoes and hide them. When the wedding is completed and the couple heads outside, the sisters can then demand payment in exchange for the shoes! A lot of bantering back and forth will happen before a price is finally decided and the groom can finally retrieve his shoes and leave the wedding location. This fun and playful tradition is another fabulous way for the groom’s family to be involved in the wedding day.

Paani Bharna (Arrival of the Doli)

As we mentioned in our Sikh Wedding Guide, the Doli is the part of the wedding ceremony where the bride leaves her family’s home in order to join her husband’s household. This is an emotional moment for the bride and her family, so the paani bharna is extremely special. During this tradition, the bride and groom are welcomed at his family home. Upon reaching the front door, the groom’s mother presents the couple with a pitcher of water. She will circle the pitcher in front of the couple seven times, and each time she will dry to drink out of it. Playfully, the bride will keep her mother-in-law from drinking out of the pitcher until the seventh circle. Once the groom’s mother drinks from the pitcher, the bride and groom will cross the threshold, with the bride kicking over a pot of rice with her right foot on the way in. This ceremony is a way of showing that the groom’s family welcomes their new daughter to their home.

Mooh Dikhai (Family Blessings)

To round off the Punjabi wedding ceremonies, the bride and groom will visit the family deities for a blessing. The bride will then be seated while her veil is lifted, allowing all of her new family and friends to see her face. Elders of the family will then shower the bride with blessings, jewelry, and cash gifts to welcome her in a fun and heartwarming way.