Pre-Marriage Ceremonies

• Milni Ceremony: A few days before the wedding, on an auspicious day, the milni ceremony is performed. Girl’s family send sweets to the boy’s house. Females do not go with these gifts, only males. They are received by the boy’s relatives, assembled for the purpose. The Milni (to meet) is then performed, the girl’s party standing on one side and the boy’s on the other. The girl’s relatives present money, ornaments to the boy’s people and Salami (token money) are offered. The counterparts of both sides meet, embrace and offer token money. Nowadays, this ceremony is performed just before the marriage party enters the wedding hall.
• Mahendi and Peethi: A day before the wedding the palm and feet of the bride are decorated with "Mahendi". On the wedding morning, various ablutionary rituals are performed on both the bride and the groom in their own homes. Their bodies are anointed with turmeric, sandalwood paste and oils, which cleanse the body, soften the skin, and make it aromatic. They are then bathed to the chanting of Vedic mantras.
• Ghodi Ceremony (Riding a Mare): Before the marriage party (barat) proceeds to the girl’s house, a mare is sent to the boys house. The bridegroom rides the mare and a small younger brother/ cousin (banoda) sits behind the bridegroom. The women and relatives in the boy’s house, bless the boy and give him and the younger one money. After this ceremony at the boy’s house is over, the boy, accompanied by relatives and friends (baratis), proceed to the girl’s house singing and dancing to the tunes of the band, under the shade of glittering lights.
• After the marriage party reaches the bride’s house, the boy dismounts the mare and is led to the inner chambers. The Milni is performed and then the rest of the marriage party sits in the auditorium, where some entertainment and light refreshment are served. A practice, that is being performed now is that the boy, before reaching the inner chambers, exchanges garland with the bride (varmala ceremony).

Hindu Weddings

Hindu weddings are very bright events, filled with ritual and celebration, that continue for several days. They are not small affairs, often with 400-1000 people attending (many of whom are unknown to the bride and groom). Though most marriages are arranged, some couples in urban areas have love marriages. The true Indian wedding is about two families getting wedded socially with much less emphasis on the individuals involved.