SINDHI POST WEDDING RITUALS

Weddings are great time to make merry and reunite with the family members. Colorful and vibrant, Sindhi wedding rituals are extremely lively and just like marriages performed in other regions of India, extend even after the marriage. Mostly revolved around the bride, the rituals performed are great way to break the ice and make the bride comfortable in the new home and with the new family members. 

Also, through these rituals, the bride blends with her new family members. In the Sindhi post marriage rituals, there are three main customs practiced - datar ceremony, chhanar tradition and sataurah custom. In the following lines, we have given detailed information about each of the post wedding ceremony.

Sindhi Post Wedding Customs

Datar Ceremony
It is a welcome ceremony for the bride in her husband's house. The arrival of the newly weds is declared by the beating of drums. At the house entrance, the groom's parents wash their daughter-in-law's feet. At the time when the bride sprinkles milk throughout the house; her in-laws cover her head.

The bride picks a handful of salt and places it in her husband's hand. He gives it back to her, without spilling any salt. This is carried out thrice. Similarly, the "datar" is done with other family members. The basic idea behind doing this is that like the salt blends well and gives taste to the food, the bride must also blend and become an integral part of the family.

Chhanar Tradition
The wedding becomes complete with the performance of Chhanar tradition, also known as Dev Uthana. In this custom, Devs (chakki installed as a totemic deity) is removed. With this ritual, it is believed that the wedding tradition is complete.

Sataurah Custom
In the Sataurah custom, the newly wedded couple visits the bride's home at an auspicious time, as told by the priest, for the first time after marriage. The newly wed couple is bestowed with gifts in the form of clothing, jewelry, sweets and wrapped presents.

SINDHI WEDDING RITUALS

Similar to a Hindu marriage, Sindhi weddings are a highly lavish affair and take place with a lot of flamboyance and gaiety. However, the traditions and rituals still dominate a Sindhi wedding. The customs practiced are not just limited to the wedding day and extend before and after the wedding as well. 

Mostly, the weddings take place on auspicious day such as the Satyanarayan Chandsi or the New Moon day. There are a number of ceremonies that take place as a part of the wedding rituals. In the following lines, we have provided comprehensive information about the Sindhi marriage rituals and customs.

Sindhi Wedding Customs

Thread Ceremony
Without the performance of thread ceremony, Sindhi wedding is considered incomplete. Turmeric powder and oil is applied to the bride and groom in their respective houses. From then onwards, they are not allowed to step out of the house. Haldi makes the bride and groom look beautiful on their special day.

Swagatam Custom
After the bride has dressed up in her wedding attire, her sisters or other female friends and relatives lead the groom to the bride's place. At the house entrance, the bridegroom places his right foot on the top of the bride's foot. This gesture signifies his dominating strength. Thereafter, he enters the bride's house. The bride's brother washes his sister and her to-be husbnad's feet with milk and water, considering him to be a form of Lord Vishnu.

Hathialo Tradition
As a part of Hathialo tradition, the bridegroom's scarf is tied to one end of the bride's sari. Also their right hands are tied together with a sacred thread. The couple prays to the Lord to bless their union.

Wedding Ceremony
Wedding ceremony is conducted by the priest in the presence of family, friends and relatives. The bride and groom are made to sit in front of the sacred fire and the priest recites selected verses from the Holy scriptures. The family members are directed by the priest to give offerings into the holy fire. The couple takes four rounds around the fire taking vows.

The groom takes the bride's hand to his forehead. This gesture indicates that he accepts her as the better half of his life. The heads of the bride and groom are held together. It represents that from now on, they are one in body, mind and spirit.

Kanya Daan
In the Kanyadaan ceremony, the bride's parents hand over their daughter's hand to the groom and request him to take good care of their daughter. This is followed by Vidai ceremony, when the bride leaves for her husband's house.

SINDHI PRE WEDDING RITUALS

Sindhi weddings take place amidst a lot of pomp and show. A lavish affair, the weddings are mostly colorful and traditional. Once the horoscopes of the prospective bride and the groom are matched, the date of the wedding day is fixed. Customs and rituals are not just restricted to the D-Day. 

In a Sindhi wedding, there are a lot of traditions that are performed well ahead of the wedding rituals. These rites start right from the time the prospective bride and groom's family agree for the association. To get detailed information about the pre wedding Sindhi rituals, browse through the following lines.

Pre Wedding Sindhi Rituals

Kachchi Misri 
Kachchi Misri or Kuchcha shagun is the first formal ceremony that takes place, after having the approval of the prospective bride and groom's family. In this ceremony, mishri and coconut is given to the girl/boy. It signifies that he/she is the one.

Pakki Mishri Ceremony
Pakki Mishri ceremony is the formal engagement that takes place one week prior to marriage. Close friends and relatives are present in this occasion to witness the exchanging of rings between the to-be bride and groom.

Berana Satsang
A satsang called Berana is organized ten days prior to marriage. It is conducted in the name of the Sindhi God, Jhulelal. It signifies the beginning of the wedding ceremonies.

Mehendi 
The to-be bride's hands and feet are adorned with beautiful mehendi patterns. It is during this ceremony that all the female members in the family get together and sing traditional wedding songs. On this day, the to-be bride and groom are asked to wear their old discarded apparels, after the mehendi ceremony is over. These clothes are then wrapped and thrown into the sea.

Santh Custom
In the Santh custom, seven married ladies apply oil to the girl's head. This custom takes place on the night before marriage. An earthen pot is placed before the bride and she is asked to break its cover in one go. If she is successful in doing so, it is considered to be a good sign.

Sangeet party
Sangeet party is held at the bride's place, which she gives to her friends as a maiden. Similar to a bachelor's party, it is dominated by excellent music and traditional as well as modern dances.

Saagri Tradition
Saagri tradition involves the showering of flower petals on the bride. This ritual takes place in the evening time, when the groom's married sisters and cousins visit the bride's house with the jewelry made from mogra flowers. They help her wear a silk sari. They prettify her with the flower jewelry. In the nighttime the bridegroom visits the bride's home, where he is welcomed with garlands. A special feast is prepared.

Ghari Puja
Ghari Puja is performed in the bride as well as groom's house by the priest. In this, prayers are done using rice, coconut, wheat grains, oil, betel nuts, turmeric and a number of other spices. Married women grind wheat, which symbolizes the prosperity of home. The ridegroom offers a handful of grains to the priest.

Baraat
The groom along with his relatives and friends start the procession from his house to the bride's place. Amidst singing of ceremonial wedding songs and dancing, the baraat reaches the wedding place where they are welcomed by the bride's parents and relatives.