Bihari Wedding Rituals & Program
Paricchavan Ritual
On the day of the Bihari wedding, the groom's mother performs Paricchavan or aarti. The whole ritual is conducted before the Baratis leave for the wedding. During aarti, the mother also applies tilak on the groom’s forehead and prays for a trouble-free wedding and a happy married life for the couple.
Baraat Prasthaan
In Baraat Prasthan, the groom and his family leave for the wedding venue. The groom’s car is decorated elaborately with flowers. The car with the groom and his younger brother leaves first, followed by the rest of his family and relatives. Once the Baraat reaches the venue, they are welcomed by the bride’s parents and family with garlands.
Jaimalaand Galsedi
The exchange of garlands between the bride and the groom is called Jaimala, and it takes place at the mandap. Once the garlands are exchanged, the bride’s mother and other married women conduct a Galsedi ritual. The women heat the betel leaves in a lamp and burn them to ashes. This ash is then smeared on the groom’s face. Then, cow dung is thrown behind the groom. This is done in a sequence.
Kangnabandhana and Kanyadaan
In this ritual, the pujari presiding over the wedding ties bracelets on the bride and the groom’s right hand. These bracelets are made of cotton thread, mango leaves, colourful rice, Haldi, and money. A barber cuts the toenails and fingernails of the couple at the mandap. After this ceremony, Kanyadaan is done, where the bride’s parents give her to the groom.
Bhaisur Nirakshan, Kuldevta Puja & Pheras
In the bhaisur nirakshan ritual, the bride is gifted saris, jewellery and lehengas by her father-in-law and her husband’s elder brother or bhaisur. The bride is gifted the family jewellery in this ceremony. After this, the couple prays to the family deity or Kuldevta at the altar. Pheras are done around the sacred fire. Roasted rice with husk is thrown in the fire