'Unusual' wedding rituals practised across India

Wedding News

'Unusual' wedding rituals practised across India

A traditional form of fraternal polyandry, where multiple brothers share one wife. This practice has deep historical roots among the Hatti tribe in Himachal Pradesh's Trans-Giri region.

Saptapadi -

In a Hindu Bengali wedding, the bride and groom's mothers typically do not participate in the marriage or saptapadi, as it is thought their presence could adversely affect the couple's marital life.

Throwing Tomatoes -

In the tribal culture of Uttar Pradesh, the groom’s arrival is marked by tomatoes being thrown at him, not the usual flowers. This odd custom is based on the belief that a marriage beginning with such a strange and unexpected gesture will ultimately blossom into deep love and affection between the newlyweds.

Just exchange the garland -

In Assam, a wedding is marked by the simple exchange of garlands between the bride and groom, after which they are considered officially married. The ceremony concludes with a grand feast.

Kasi Yatra -

In South Indian Brahmin families, there is a ritual where just moments before the muhurtham the groom is allowed to reconsider his decision and become a sanyasi. After a thorough discussion on the significance of marriage and his responsibilities in 'Grihasthashram,' he reconsiders and agrees to take his place at the altar.

Kumbh Vivah -

If a bride is considered 'Manglik,' then she is asked to marry a peepal tree or a dog before tying the knot with a human. This odd superstition holds that if the bride doesn't perform this ritual, it will lead to the death of either the bride or groom post-marriage.

Nga-thaba -

As part of the traditional Manipuri wedding, the bride and groom set free two fish in a pond. If the fish swim in the same direction, it’s seen as a positive sign.

Breastfeeding the groom -

The practice of a mother breastfeeding her son on his wedding day, sometimes referred to as "breastfeeding the groom," is a specific cultural ritual, not a common or expected part of most weddings. It is a symbolic act in some Rajasthani wedding traditions where the groom's mother performs a final feeding of her son before he embarks on married life.