Match-Making
Match-making is the first step in Rajput marriages. Great care
is taken here. First, the status of the families have to be
at par, the Rajput clan must be taken into consideration since
the bride and the groom should hail from separate clans. Then,
the horoscopes have to be approved and tallied by the family
astrologer. Rajputs, as a rule, marry only within the community.
However, exceptions are made if royal families are involved.
Ganapati Sthapna & Griha Shanti Ceremony
However, there is no ring ceremony while Ganapati sthapana and
griha shanti is the second most important ceremony performed
usually a few days prior to the wedding. A havan is performed
by the groom or bride’s parents to propitiate the gods
and an idol of Lord Ganapati is installed. All ceremonies commence
only after the sthapana (installation).
Palla Dastoor
On the day of the actual wedding, or maybe a day prior to it,
the palla dastoor is brought in by a few of the groom’s
relatives, accompanied by family retainers, to the bride’s
house. The palla dastoor consists of clothes, jewellery and
gifts from the groom, which the bride has to wear during the
wedding ceremony. This particular custom is typical to the Rajputs.
The traditional Rajasthani poshak or wedding dress is usually
red in colour, but it could also be orange, gold yellow, or
pink.
Pithi Dastoor Ceremony
The pithi dastoor is one of the first important ceremonies,
which involves the bride/groom and continues until the day of
the wedding. The actual ceremony consists of application of
turmeric and sandal wood paste to the bride/ groom who cannot
leave the house once the pithi starts. The pithi dastoor at
the bride’s house is an elaborate affair. Dholans (women
singers with dholak) sing auspicious prewedding songs while
the ceremony is in progress.
The Rajput Baraat
A Rajput baraat consists entirely of male members. The bridegroom
is usually dressed in a gold achkan, with an orange turban and
a churidar or jodhpurs with jootis. On the turban he wears a
serpech a piece of jewellery specially meant for the urban.
Around the neck he wears a necklace and around the waist he
ties a cummerband. Of course, variations in styles and colours
prevail.
The Official (Engagement) Ceremony
The official (engagement) ceremony takes place at the home of
the groom. Only the bride’s father, brother and other close
relatives attend this ceremony. This is a strictly all male
affair. No ladies, not even the bride, accompany the menfolk
for the tika. The ceremony is so called because the bride’s
brother actually applies a tilak to the groom’s forehead
and makes the alliance or engagement official. A sword, other
presents, clothes, fruits, sweets etc., are given to the groom.
Janev Ceremony
The janev ceremony, where the sacred thread is given to the
would be groom on the eve of his becoming the house-holder,
is interesting. The janev is given only to men. The groom has
to be dressed in saffron robes like an ascetic and perform a
havan before wearing the thread.
The significance of saffron robes is that the groom now has
two choices before him; either he renounces the world and becomes
an ascetic, or he accepts the institution of marriage and its
responsibilities. After the havan is completed and the thread
given, the groom has to make a mock attempt to run from the
chains of marriage while the maternal uncle must catch him and
convince his nephew into accepting marriage.
Mehfils
Mehfils are an integral part of every Rajasthani wedding. Usually
held in the evenings, they are again segregated into separate
gender based groups. At the ladies’, mehfil, all the womenfolk
gather at a central place in an enclosed courtyard or hall.
Dressed in dazzling dresses, they perform the ghoomar (a special
dance done in a group). The bride at the mehfil is given an
important position to sit and watch the proceedings.
Mahira Dastoor
The mahira dastoor is yet another important ceremony, common
to both the bride and the groom’s families. This ceremony
is performed by the maternal uncle of the groom/bride, who,
along with his wife and family, arrives with much fanfare, and
is received by the bride/groom’s mother with the traditional
welcome.
The uncle then gives clothes, jewellery, sweets etc., to the
entire family. The ceremony signifies that since at the time
of a wedding there is considerable expenditure, it is the duty
of the brother to help his sister at her child’s wedding.
Wedding Ceremony
The groom is taken inside to the ladies section where he is
received by the Bride’s mother with the traditional aarti,
and then taken to the mandap for the wedding ceremony. The bridegroom
is accompanies at this stage by only one married make relative
and maybe his younger brother or a younger male cousin. The
wedding ceremony is similar to a Hindu wedding. However, the
bride must at all times through the wedding ceremony keep her
face covered by a long veil.
Grihapravesh
Once the baraat returns with the newly weds, the grihapravesh
takes place. The bride still wears the veil while the puja and
other ceremonies take place. A few games are played between
the bride and the groom. They are also common to other Hindu
weddings.
Pagelagni
The day following the grihapravesh, the pagelagni takes place.
This is a ceremony where the bride, still in veil, is formally
introduced to all the family members of the groom who bless
her and give her gifts. The veil is then finally removed.
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