The prospective bride and groom exchange rings during the mangni or engagement ceremony. The bride-to-be wears an outfit gifted to her by her future in-laws. A convenient date for the wedding or the Nikaah is fixed after the mangni. 

 << Back

The Mehndi (henna) ceremony is held at the home of the bride-to-be on the eve of the wedding ceremony or a couple of days before it. The female relatives of the girl anoint her with turmeric paste to bring out the glow in her complexion. A relative or a mehndiwali (henna artist) applies mehndi on the hands and feet of the bride-to-be. The mehndiwali usually uses a mehndi cone to draw thin, artistic patterns on the hands and feet of the blushing bride-to-be. The mehndi is washed off after a few hours or kept overnight for a dark hue. The event has a festive feel to it with the women singing traditional songs. The bride-to-be wears sober clothes. According to custom, she must not step out of the house for the next few days until her marriage. Sometimes, the girl's cousins apply a dot of mehndi on the palm of the groom-to-be by his relatives or, in some cases. 

 << Back

Besides the festivity and frolic that mark the days leading up to the wedding, the families of the prospective bride and groom hold a special sangeet (singing) session. Friends and close family members are invited and traditional wedding songs are sung. Sometimes professional dholwalis (female musicians who play the traditional drum) are invited for a special touch. Both the sides exchange gifts and sweets.

 << Back

It is mandatory for the bride-to-be to have henna on her hands and feet. The henna is sent by the future mother-in-law of the bride-to-be. A relative, friend or a professional mehandiwali (henna artist) applies henna for the bride-to-be. The ritual is marked by festivity. The girl friends and close female relatives of the bride-to-be sing and dance joyously while the mehandi is being applied to her. The henna is usually left on overnight so that it leaves behind a rich dark hue. After the application ceremony, delicious snacks and meals are served to all present.

<< Back