Parsi weddings are very interesting and different from the usual Hindu weddings. In India, when we talk about wedding rituals, the first that comes to our mind is bride dressed in red and groom in sherwani or something similar. But, if you are expecting the same thing in a Parsi wedding too, then you will be disappointed. Their wedding rituals and traditions are much more different from Hindu and Punjabi wedding rituals that we generally see in movies. The Parsi wedding rituals lasts longer than the typical Indian wedding. Parsi wedding is popularly known as the “Lagan” ceremony. Let’s take a look at some of the pre-and post-wedding rituals.
Rupia Peravanu ritual: In this ritual of rupia peravanu, the females of the bride’s family visit the groom’s house and after performing the rituals, the females of the groom’s family visit bride’s house to complete their side of rituals. In this ceremony, both the families give gifts, money and a silver coin to the groom as well as the bride respectively. This ceremony is something similar to the engagement ceremony of Hindu wedding. It is a kind of engagement ceremony without exchanging the rings.
Madhavsaro ceremony: In this special ceremony, both the families are supposed to plant a tree in a flower pot and keep it on the main entrance of their respective houses. As a rituals both the families are supposed to keep that pot in front of the entrance of their home for next 7-8 days and they are expected to nurture and water it every day. After the wedding it is removed from the entrance and placed somewhere else.
Adarni Ritual: In this ritual, the mother of the groom and other family members visit the house of the bride. As a ritual they offer her gifts, jewelry, clothes and other items. The bride’s family organizes a dinner/lunch for them and gives them sweets and gifts.
Supra Nu Murat ceremony: This ceremony is very much similar to the haldi ceremony of Hindu wedding, where females of the family apply haldi paste on the face and body of the bride and groom respectively. In this ceremony, the five females of the bride’s family apply haldi paste on the face, hands and feet of the bride.
Nahan ritual: This is very sacred ritual and performed before the wedding. In the ritual, the bride and groom takes the holy bath for purity and cleansing. After taking this sacred bath, they start getting ready for the other wedding ceremonies of the day.
Achumichu ritual: In Parsi wedding a special stage is created for the wedding ceremony. In this ceremony, the mother of the bride carries a tray in which she contains some rice, a coconut, dates, raw egg and some water. After that she circles all these items excepting the water around the groom and then throws them away. This ritual is popularly known as achumichu ritual and is done on the stage. After that the groom’s mother also performs the same ritual.
Ara antar ritual: In this special traditional ceremony, the bride and groom sit facing towards each-other and a cloth is placed between them to hide their faces from each-other.
Tying the string ritual: The priest ties the seven knots to a string placed around the couple in this special ceremony. After tying the knot, the bride and groom throw rice at each other without peeking and compete to untie the string first.
Chero Bandhavano: After performing all the ceremonies, the couple sits together and lamps were placed on their sides. The priest begins his prayers and performs other remaining rituals. The couple exchanges the rings to complete the wedding ceremony.
Hath borvanu: In this ritual, the sister of the bride is supposed to free the couple of the tied strands and in return the groom gives her money. She also places his hands in a bowl of water and cleans his shoe with milk.
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