In a country with mixed cultures, Bengali weddings are one of the most colorful and vibrant. If one visits the top wedding venues in Kolkata, they get to witness the state’s own set of marriage customs and rituals. Although Bengali weddings have few rituals and ceremonies, they are fun, engaging, and intrigue the country. For instance, the tradition of the bride and groom holding a paan leaf before their first glance at each other. Such customs make the weddings of Bengal unique and enjoyable.
Let’s have a look at the various lively Bengali wedding rituals:
Bor Jatri:
The Bor Jatri is the baarat in which the groom, his kin, friends, and family start their journey to the bride’s house or the wedding venue. The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata provides one of the largest banquet halls in Kolkata. The Great Ballroom here acts as a stunning wedding venue.
Patta Bastra – The Sacred attire:
The main wedding ceremony takes place under the wedding mandap, known as the chhadnatola. This is a decorated square or a stage. Before the beginning of rituals, the groom changes into specific attire, known as the patta bastra. This attire includes a dhoti and a piece of cloth that is supposed to be wrapped around the upper part of the part. This piece of cloth is handed over to the groom by one of the elderly members of the bride’s family.
Subho Drishti:
The wedding rituals begin when the bride is brought to the chhadnatola on a low wooden stool known as the pidi by her brothers. The bride is taken around the groom in seven circles while her face is covered with a betel leaf. After which, the betel leaf is moved away, and the bride and groom look at each other for the first time on the wedding day.
Mala Badol:
While sitting on the pidi or the wooden stool, the bride and groom exchange garlands of flowers. This exchange is performed three times. The Mala Badol ritual is known to mark the first step of the bride and groom accept each other as husband and wife. 5 star hotels in Kolkata like The LaLiT Great Eastern are generally the best venues for Bengali weddings.
Sampradan:
The Sampradan is what is known as the Kanyadaan in the Hindi wedding. In the Bengali wedding ceremony, an elderly male member of the bride’s family, which is usually her father, gives her hand to the groom. At this moment, both their hands are tied with a sacred thread. This is done while Vedic chants are being recited.
Although a significant part of Bengali weddings is eating an enormous amount of fish and sweets, these ceremonies bear a pretty weight in making the wedding fun. Great Bengali food can also be enjoyed at some of the best restaurants in Kolkata.
