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Marriage
in Rajasthan is just as elaborate as any big affair.
Traditions and customs form an important part of all
Marwari weddings. The most important factor is that
match is fixed and marriages are held only within the
community.
 Pre
Marriage Ceremony
The engagement ceremony or
the "Sagai" takes place at
the house of the groom. This is strictly all male affair.
On this day, the bride's brother puts "tilak"
on the groom's forehead. A sword, clothes, sweets etc.
are given to the groom. "Ganapati
Sthapna" and "Grih
Shanti" is the
second-most important ceremony performed a few days
prior to the wedding. An idol of Lord Ganapati is installed
and a "havan" is performed. This sthapana
is important as all ceremonies commence only after this.
A few days prior to the wedding the "Pithi
dastoor" ceremony
starts. It consists of the application of turmeric and
sandalwood paste to the bride and the groom who cannot
leave the house once the pithi starts. This ceremony
continues until the day of the wedding. "Mehfils"
are an integral part of every Rajasthani wedding. 'Ladies'
mehfils as well as 'gents' mehfils are organised. The
traditional dance-'ghoomar' is performed in the ladies
mehfil, while men have their own parties. The "Janeu"
(sacred thread ceremony) is performed a day before the
wedding. The custom of Palla Dastoor is typical to the
Marwaris. On the day of the wedding or a day prior to
it, the groom's family brings the Palla
Dastoor to the
bride's house. It consists of clothes, jewellery and
gifts from the groom, which the bride has to wear during
the wedding ceremony. A Marwari "barat",
consisting entirely of male members, which proceeds
to the wedding grounds.
 Marriage
Ceremony
As soon as the "Barat" reaches
the bride's house the groom is taken to the ladies section
where the bride's mother receives the groom with the
traditional "aarti" and he
is then taken to the "mandap".
The Bride is brought to the mandap by the maternal uncle
dressed in traditional marwari costum, which is sent
to her by the groom's parents. The "kanyadan
" ceremony is then performed wherein the bride is given
to the groom for life. "Saat
Phreras" are taken round the
scared fire while the pundit chants mantras.
 Post
Marriage Ceremony
The Barat
returns with the newly weds, the girl is bid farewell
by her family and is accepted into her new family. When
the bride enters her new home a small ceremony called
Grihapravesh takes place. Puja
and other ceremonies also take place on this day.
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