Post-Wedding Rituals: Hindu Weddings

Hindu weddings are a vibrant, intricately planned, culture-rich affair, full of rituals and celebrations. But what happens after the wedding?

The Vidaai ceremony marks the completion of the wedding. It is an emotional event where the bride throws five handfuls of rice over her head, reflecting wealth and prosperity, before stepping out of the door. The bride's brothers and cousins push the car she leaves in, symbolising their support for her new life with her partner.

The Dwar Rokai ceremony is a fun ritual where the bride's sister-in-law blocks the newlyweds from entering the house, asking for a gift from the groom. This is followed by the Griha Pravesh ceremony, where the bride is officially welcomed into the groom's house. She pushes a jar/kalash filled with rice with her right toe and enters the house, signifying her acceptance into the family.

The Mooh Dikhai ceremony is an important post-wedding ritual where the bride is introduced to the groom's family, who offer her gifts, especially gold or silver ornaments. The wedding reception is a grand celebration with music, dance, and food, officially introducing the bride to the groom's community.

The Pag Phera ceremony occurs after the reception when the bride is taken back to her maternal home by her brothers for a few days. The groom then visits to bring his wife back, receiving gifts from the bride's family, marking the end of the wedding festivities.

Vidaai ceremony: the bride throws handfuls of rice and coins over her head to show appreciation for her parents

Vidaai is an emotional event that marks the completion of a Hindu wedding. It is an integral part of the wedding, where the bride bids farewell to her parents and steps out of the door, throwing back handfuls of rice and coins over her head. This ritual is known by different names in different parts of India, but it holds immense significance in every part of the country.

The act of throwing rice and coins backwards is done five times and symbolises multiple things. Firstly, it represents wealth and prosperity, as rice is a staple of the Indian diet and signifies auspiciousness, prosperity, and fertility. Secondly, it signifies that the bride, considered a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi, has repaid her parents for all that they have given her over the years. Lastly, it is a way for the bride to thank her parents and show her gratitude, love, and well wishes as she embarks on her new life.

The rice-throwing tradition also serves to ward off evil and leave behind any negativity or spiritual debts. The coins mixed with the rice are believed to further protect the bride from evil spirits. This ritual is not just a goodbye but also a way for the bride to reassure her parents that she will continue to pray for their material and spiritual prosperity even after leaving her maternal home.

After throwing the rice and coins, the bride proceeds towards her car, without looking back. Her brothers and cousins push the car, symbolising their support and wishing her luck as she begins her new life with her husband. The father of the bride is usually the last person to bid her farewell and often gets emotional, knowing he is letting go of his precious daughter.

Dwar Rokai ceremony: the groom's sister blocks the couple from entering his house until they present her with a gift

The Dwar Rokai ceremony is a fun, lighthearted tradition that takes place after a Hindu wedding. It is mostly observed in North Indian weddings. When the newlyweds arrive at the groom's residence, the groom's sister blocks the couple from entering the house. The groom is then asked to present his sister with a gift or cash to grant them entry. This ceremony is often a joyous occasion marked by friendly discussions and lighthearted arguments between siblings.

The Dwar Rokai ceremony is followed by the Griha Pravesh ceremony, which involves a traditional Indian welcome for the new bride. The bride is asked to push a kalash (a jar or pot) filled with rice using her right toe to symbolise her entry into the house. This ceremony signifies that the groom's family has welcomed the bride into their house and accepted her as an integral member of their family. In some regions, the bride is also asked to say her husband's name at the entrance before entering the house.

The Dwar Rokai ceremony is a unique and playful tradition that adds a touch of humour and warmth to the post-wedding celebrations. It provides an opportunity for the groom to share a special moment with his sister and creates lasting memories for the newlyweds and their families.

Griha Pravesh ceremony: the bride is welcomed into the groom's house by pushing a jar of rice with her right toe

The Griha Pravesh ceremony is an integral part of the post-wedding rituals in Hindu weddings. It marks the first time the bride enters her husband's home and is welcomed into the groom's house and family.

During the ceremony, the ladies from the groom's household stand near the entrance of the home or the living room to greet the newly married couple. The mother-in-law of the bride welcomes the couple with arti and applies a tilak to both the bride and groom, after which they seek blessings from the elders present.

A jar, pot, or kalash filled with rice is kept at the entrance, which the bride pushes and topples with her right toe while entering the home. She also has to enter the home with her right leg first, as it is considered auspicious. The rice ritual is followed by the majority of states in India, however, in some parts, the bride may dip her feet in water containing vermillion powder or red kumkum or Alta, leaving behind auspicious red footprints, signifying the entrance of the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, Lakshmi, into the home.

The kalash is a vital vessel or puja instrument used in almost all Hindu rituals. The bride, considered an incarnation of Lakshmi, pushes the rice-filled kalash to symbolise her letting in prosperity, wealth, and good luck within the household. Rice is also an ingredient considered very auspicious and is used in most holy ceremonies. The abundance of rice in the pot symbolises the wealth the new bride is expected to bring to the house.

The Griha Pravesh ceremony is a traditional Indian way of welcoming the bride and is particularly significant in North Indian weddings. It symbolises the groom's family's warm welcome and acceptance of the bride as an integral member of their family.

Mooh Dikhai ceremony: the bride is unveiled and introduced to the groom's family, who offer her gifts

The Mooh Dikhai ceremony is an important post-wedding ritual in Hindu weddings, where the bride is unveiled and introduced to the groom's family, who offer her gifts.

The name of the ceremony, Mooh Dikhai, means 'show your face' and is derived from the act of unveiling the bride's face and presenting her to the groom's family. The mother-in-law and other female members of the groom's family take part in this ritual by lifting the bride's veil and offering her gifts. These gifts are a gesture of welcoming the bride into the family and can include ancestral jewellery, a holy book, clothes, money, or other useful items. The gifts are considered 'Shagun' in India, which means 'a good omen'.

The ceremony is an opportunity for the bride to bond with her new family and to start building relationships with her in-laws, especially her mother-in-law. It is also a chance for the groom's family to show their respect and welcome their new family member warmly. In some traditions, the bride wears a special veil called a dupatta, while in others, she may wear a special outfit or jewellery unique to the ceremony.

The Mooh Dikhai ceremony is steeped in tradition and is a joyous celebration of the newlyweds. It is an important tradition in South Asian weddings, with customs varying across different cultures and communities. The ceremony typically takes place on the Suhaag Raat, the traditional wedding night celebration, marking the first time the bride reveals her face to her new family.

The Mooh Dikhai ceremony is not just about unveiling the bride's face but also about welcoming her into the groom's family and community. It is a way to introduce the bride to her new relatives and for them to get acquainted with her. This post-wedding ritual is an essential step in strengthening the bond between the two families and marking the beginning of the bride's new life with her husband.

Pag Phera: the bride stays at her family home for a few days before the groom comes to take her back to his house

The Pag Phera is a significant Hindu post-wedding ceremony observed in all types of Indian weddings. During the ceremony, the bride returns to her family home for two to three days. The bride's brother usually fetches her, and when the ceremony ends, the groom comes to collect his wife and seeks blessings from his in-laws.

The ceremony is important for the bride, as in the Hindu system, girls are considered a form of the Goddess of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity). The bride's return to her family home is believed to ensure a prosperous future for her parents. The bride's parents may present her with gifts such as jewellery, clothes, or other apparel. The groom also receives gifts and blessings from his in-laws.

The Pag Phera is also an opportunity for the groom to be welcomed and accepted into the bride's family. The bride's parents prepare a lavish meal for the newlyweds, and the couple returns to the groom's home with gifts and blessings, marking the beginning of their new life together.

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