Indian Muslim Weddings: A Guide To Duration And Traditions

Indian Muslim weddings are joyous and colourful celebrations that mix religious and cultural traditions. The Nikah ceremony, which is named for the Arabic word for marriage, is the heart of an Indian Muslim wedding and typically lasts for three days. The average wedding ceremony itself is less than an hour, but the Nikah is the shortest. The Nikah comprises pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding functions.

Pre-wedding rituals include traditional dancing and singing at the groom's and bride's homes

Traditional Muslim Indian wedding celebrations typically last for three days. Prior to the observance of the wedding ceremony proper, two separate pre-wedding rituals, which involve traditional dancing and singing, occurs in two places: at the groom's house and at the bride's home. On the eve of the wedding day, a bridal service known as the Mehndi ritual or henna ceremony is held at the bride's home. This ritual is sometimes done two days before the actual wedding day. During this bridal preparation ritual, turmeric paste is placed on the bride's skin for the purpose of improving and brightening her complexion, after which mehndi is applied on the bride's hands and feet by the mehndiwali, a female relative.

The sangeet, which means "sung together," is essentially a pre-wedding party where families come together to sing, dance, and celebrate the wedding festivities to come. It usually takes place at the bride's home or at a separate venue, depending on how many guests there are. The manjha is equivalent to the Hindu haldi tradition where the bride-to-be is painted in a turmeric paste given to her by the groom’s family elders. This Indian Muslim wedding tradition is enjoyed with the bride's closest female relatives and friends and happens a few days before the wedding.

The Nikah marriage ceremony is the heart of an Indian Muslim wedding

Indian Muslim weddings are joyous and colourful celebrations that mix religious and cultural traditions. They are full of rich traditions passed down over centuries. The Nikah ceremony is named for the Arabic word for marriage and is the heart of an Indian Muslim wedding. It is one of the most distinctively religious weddings that take place in India.

The Nikah comprises of pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding functions. The average wedding ceremony is less than an hour, but the Nikah is likely to be the shortest you’ve attended. It has three main parts. Firstly, Mehr is a ceremonial presentation of gifts, money or other meaningful offering to the bride, from the groom. Many times the bride’s engagement ring is considered part of the mehr. At this time, the bride and groom are not able to see each other. Next, both the bride and groom need to consent to the marriage by saying qubool hai three times each when asked by the Imam (religious officiant). Finally, Nikah-Namah is the Muslim marriage contract that the bride and groom sign in front of their guests.

The manjha is equivalent to the Hindu haldi tradition where the bride-to-be is painted in a turmeric paste given to her by the groom’s family elders. This Indian Muslim wedding tradition is enjoyed with the bride’s closest female relatives and friends and happens a few days before the wedding.

Traditional Muslim Indian wedding celebrations typically last for three days. Prior to the observance of the wedding ceremony proper, two separate pre-wedding rituals, which involve traditional dancing and singing, occur in two places: at the groom's house and at the bride's home. On the eve of the wedding day, a bridal service known as the Mehndi ritual or henna ceremony is held at the bride's home. This ritual is sometimes done two days before the actual wedding day. During this bridal preparation ritual, turmeric paste is placed on the bride's skin for the purpose of improving and brightening her complexion, after which mehndi is applied on the bride's hands and feet by the mehndiwali, a female relative.

The average wedding ceremony is less than an hour, but the Nikah is likely the shortest

The average Indian Muslim wedding ceremony is less than an hour, but the Nikah is likely the shortest. The Nikah is the heart of an Indian Muslim wedding ceremony and is named for the Arabic word for marriage. It is comprised of pre-wedding, wedding, and post-wedding functions.

The Nikah is one of the most distinctively religious weddings that take place in India. It has three main parts:

• Mehr: A ceremonial presentation of gifts, money, or other meaningful offering to the bride, from the groom.
• Quboool Hai: Both the bride and groom need to consent to the marriage by saying "qubool hai" three times each when asked by the Imam (religious officiant).
• Nikah-Namah: The Muslim marriage contract that the bride and groom sign in front of their guests.

The manjha is equivalent to the Hindu haldi tradition

The manjha is a pre-wedding ceremony performed a day or two before the wedding. Family members and friends playfully slather the bride and groom in a paste of turmeric, oil, and milk. In some customs, sandalwood, rose water, and gram flour are also mixed in the paste.

The manjha is rooted in ancient Indian marriage rituals and is unique to Muslims from South Asia.

The Mehndi ritual is a henna ceremony at the bride's home

The Mehndi ritual is a henna ceremony at the brides home. It is a pre-wedding event that is one of the most festive celebrations in a wedding in both Muslim and Hindu cultures. It is a joyous evening filled with choreographed dancing, bright colorful dresses, and bhangra music.

The natural cooling properties of henna made it particularly significant in warm climates, while its rich color came to symbolize blessings and prosperity. The bride and her closest women friends and family members gather to celebrate the occasion. The henna artist comes to the bride's home before the actual Mehndi party. The event often starts with over-the-top entrances, one for each party in the marriage. Guests feed the soon-to-be couple all types of sweets and in some traditions, charity is given on behalf of the couple to protect them from the evil eye and bless their marriage.

The bride and groom perform choreographed dance performances with close family and friends that are often rehearsed for months ahead. The dances are a form of friendly competition between both sides of the family. The bride's hands and feet are adorned with intricate henna designs, symbolizing beauty, deep cultural connections, and the joyful anticipation of marriage.

The Mehndi ceremony is organized by the family of the bride and is usually a private affair which takes place in the presence of friends, relatives, and family members. The bride does not step out of the house after this ceremony.

Frequently asked questions