From Aashirwad to Bidaay: Bengali Wedding Rituals Demystified
Bengali wedding is popular for its vibrant Bengali wedding rituals. Find out the meaning behind every wedding ritual before tying the knot. Read now!
Bengali weddings are a celebration of love, culture, and tradition. These rituals weave together wonderful memories of vibrant rituals and customs. All Bengali wedding rituals are an excellent treat to the eyes. In fact, the wedding outfits worn by the bride and groom appear to be so enchanting that it makes them appear naturally beautiful.
You can witness many age-old traditions and customs of the Bengali community by just becoming a part of this joyful event. But, if you haven't seen any Bengali wedding ceremony before, this is the best time to gather all the details about a traditional Bengali wedding. As a Bengali wedding photographer, we have documented many romantic tales.
That's why we have curated a list of each ritual of a Bengali wedding to make you well-informed before your big day. Continue reading this guide to learn the significance of Bengali wedding rituals.
As the top wedding photographers in Kolkata, we'll walk you through important Bengali wedding customs that make these weddings special and lovely.
List Of 22 Important Bengali wedding Rituals, Custom And Traditions
1. Adan Pradan
2. Ashirbaad
3. Aiburo-bhaat
4. Nitbor & Nitkone
5. Shankha-Pola
6. Ganga Nimantran
7. Dodhi Mangal
8. Nandi Mukh
9. Gaye Holud
10. Dorpon
11. Bor Boron
12. Bastra Dan
13. Subho Drishti
14. Mala Bodol
15. Sampradan
16. Yagna & Saptapadi
17. Anjali & Sindoor Daan
18. Bashor Jaaga & Biday
19. Bodhu Baran
20. Kaal Ratri
21. Bou-Bhat
22. Phool-Sajya
Have A Look At Unique Bengali Pre-Wedding Rituals
1. Adan Pradan
The journey of a Bengali wedding starts with Adan Pradan, where the family of the bride and the groom exchange sweets and well wishes. In this wedding ritual, a family priest is invited to finalize the day of the wedding.
2. Ashirbaad
Ashirbaad, which means "blessings," is an important ritual in which the bride and groom are blessed by the elders by touching their feet. Elders of the family bless the couple by applying sandalwood paste mixed with rice grains on their foreheads.
Make sure to hire the best Bengali wedding photographer in Kolkata to preserve the memories of this beautiful day.
Check Out: Unique And Trending Ideas For Indoor Pre Wedding Photoshoot
3. Aiburo-bhaat
The bride and groom enjoy their final meals as singles in the Aiburo-bhaat ritual before the grand wedding festivities begin. This is a traditional pre-wedding feast organized only by their family members and close relatives.
All the favorite food items of the bride and groom are cooked and served to them to wish them good luck for their married life.
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4. Nitbor & Nitkone
There is a unique ritual celebrated as "Nitbor" and "Nitkone" in Bengali weddings. A young boy, known as the "nitbor," accompanies the groom from the aiburo-bhaat till the wedding ceremony.
Similarly, the bride is accompanied by a young girl, known as the "nitkone,". This custom gives adds a joyous vibe to the wedding festivities.
5. Shankha-Pola
Bengali brides wear red and white conch shells and coral bangles as a significant part of the Bengali wedding tradition. These beautiful red and white bangles are called “Shankha Pola”.
These represent the marital status of the bride and provide good fortune for the rest of her life.
6. Ganga Nimantran
The married woman of the family travels to the riverbank to seek the Ganges' blessings for the upcoming wedding. These women carry trays packed with bananas, betel leaves, almonds, and Sindoor as they march in this holy procession.
Hiring the best wedding photographers in Kolkata ensures that such beautiful moments get captured perfectly.
7. Dodhi Mangal
In the early morning of the wedding day, the bride and groom's mother serves them a pudding that is made of yogurt and sweets. This is the only thing they will be able to eat until they get married.
8. Nandi Mukh
Nandi Mukh is an important Bengali wedding ritual where the groom and bride pay homage to their ancestor. The rituals start when the priest seeks divine blessings for the couple's happiness by chanting Vedic mantras.
9. Gaye Holud
Haldi Ceremony is one of the most vibrant and joyful Bengali wedding rituals. Both the bride and groom are painted yellow with the auspicious turmeric paste during this joyful rite.
After the ritual, the bride takes a bath and wears a new yellow and red cotton saree gifted by the groom’s family to her. You can opt for a gorgeous haldi look by checking these Haldi ceremony bridal look ideas.
Heart-Touching Bengali Wedding Rituals
10. Dorpon
Prior to the groom's departure for the wedding mandap, his mother gifts him with the Dorpon, which is believed to protect him against evil forces. With blessings for his new journey, she lovingly ties red threads and a Tulsi Mala around his neck.
11. Bor Boron
The charming groom along with his family and guests reaches the wedding venue. The mother of the bride welcomes the groom by performing an aarti and serving him sweets and water.
12. Bastra Dan
The groom is then welcomed inside the venue where and changes into wedding attire. The family member of the bride gives this specific wedding attire before the wedding ceremony takes place.
13. Subho Drishti
This is one of the most beautiful wedding rituals, when the bride and groom see each other for the first time on their wedding day. The male members of the family bring the bride on a wooden stool.
She covers her face with betel leaf and takes seven rounds around the groom. The moment is believed to bring good luck and happiness.
14. Mala Bodol
Following the Shubho drishti ritual, the groom and bride exchange flower garland. It represent acceptance, respect, and love for one another. This heartwarming moment is worth capturing in beautiful photos through wedding photography.
15. Sampradan
This is the most important and age-old Bengali Hindu wedding ritual. The bride's father gives his daughter's hand to the groom during the ritual. This act represents trust, family blessings, and giving responsibility to her partner.
16. Yagna & Saptapadi
This is the most significant ritual where couples take seven vows around the fire. They make promises of supporting each other during happiness, and sorrow throughout their lives. This is the Bengali version of "Saath Phere".
17. Anjali & Sindoor Daan
This is one of the most awaited rituals of Bengali marriages. The bride and the groom offer puffed rice to the sacred fire during the Anjali ritual.
Following the series of rituals, the Sindur daan ritual takes place on the day of the wedding. The groom marks the bride as a married woman by applying sindoor to her hair parting.
18. Bashor Jaaga & Biday
After the wedding, the newlywed couple spends the entire night engaged in fun-filled activities with family members.
On the next day, the family of the new bride bids her farewell as she departs her parental home for a new life with her groom. The entire atmosphere is filled with mixed emotions of joy and sadness.
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19. Bodhu Baran
Bodhu Boron is another significant part of a Bengali wedding. The newly wedded bride is welcomed with her husband into her new family.
The mother of the groom performs an aarti and asks the bride to step on a vessel filled with milk and alta. Then she steps into her new home.
20. Kaal Ratri
Following the Bodhu boron ritual, the married couple is showered with gifts, gold jewelry, and sweets by all relatives of the groom's family. After these heartfelt blessings, the couple has to follow a Kaal Ratri tradition, where they temporarily part ways for the night.
21. Bou-Bhat
On the next day, the groom's family organizes a special feast and wedding function. On this day, they introduce their daughter-in-law through several age-old customs.
This serves as an official introduction for both families and deepens relationships forever. This is the final wedding ceremony that takes place in Bengali weddings.
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