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What Makes A Baniya Wedding So Extravagant ?
A Baniya wedding is known for its grandeur, lavish celebrations, and deep-rooted traditions. The Baniya community, traditionally involved in trade and business, is known for its financial acumen, and this reflects in their weddings, which are opulent yet well-organized. Here’s what makes a Baniya wedding so extravagant:
What makes a Baniya wedding different from other Indian marriages?
If you’ve ever wondered what makes Baniya weddings so unique, read below for a few of the things you won’t find in any other wedding!
Shagun Envelopes!
Baniyas use shagun envelopes as gifts or wedding favors for their guests. Once the ceremony is over, they offer them to their guests.
Godh Bharai Ceremony
Following the teeka ceremony, the bride is escorted by her family and friends in a procession to the celebration venue. The groom’s family members also join in on the procession with baskets and trays containing gifts for the bride. These gifts are placed around her lap during dinner.
Milni
The Baarat is traditionally a grand procession, often done in a horse-drawn carriage, where the groom and his friends travel from their home to the new house of the bride. Both families gather at the door, bringing along food and gifts for the groom’s family, and this ceremony is called Milni.
Laghana Lekhan
The Laghana Lekhan is a segment of the wedding ceremony that is done before the Saptapadi or seven-step marriage vows. This ceremony is held at the bride’s house and those in attendance will be only close friends and family members of the bride. The time of this blessing for the wedding ceremony is called Shubha Laghana Lekhan.
The late-night muhurats
Late night ceremonies are common in North India. In Baniya culture, it’s standard to have the ceremony at 1 am. It’s a nearly round-the-clock celebration.
Giving and receiving wedding gifts
A few days before the wedding day, the bride and groom’s families exchange gifts. They are not permitted to participate in this tradition because it would be considered bad luck for the engaged couple.
As a wedding officiant, I’ve seen firsthand that long wedding rituals tend to make people feeling uninterested and bored. For me, it’s about keeping the ritual short and sweet so guests can enjoy themselves.
Long Wedding Rituals
When it comes to weddings, Baniyas know what they’re doing. They won’t do this on a small scale or with an intimate party, because that’s not how Baniyas operate. They get engaged at least two months in advance with high-end matrimonial services for families. This is to ensure that the marriage consultants are there to support them through the wedding journey, from beginning to end.
Bhaat Functions
Bhaat is an important bride-related custom observed in Baniya weddings. Dressing up for the occasion, the ladies of the house play a vital role in the wedding. Traditionally, both the bride and her family give extravagant gifts to the groom before the event. A few days before the ceremony, both sides visit each other’s home to arrange everything for the big day.
Wedding Folks By Ladies
Traditional Indian music always accompanies rituals. During every ceremony, the ladies of the household gather in one place to sing some wedding songs. These songs often entice the bride and groom, and relatives play the drums to keep time as they dance all night. At haldi, mehendi, and Sangeet ceremonies, Bollywood tracks top the charts.
Glitter and Glamour are great ways to feel good about yourself
Though many people believe that wearing plain clothes is the Baniya style it’s not true. Women from the Bandiya community wear fancy clothes and carry expensive jewelry. Even male members of this community dress up in a way that make women challenge each other.
Tel Baan and Haldi
A Tel Baan ceremony takes place before a wedding and the groom and wife-to-be are prepared together. The ceremony is usually held on the day before the wedding will take place, but in more traditional families it may be a few days before. The ceremony involves applying herbs mixed with mustard oil, fresh curd, henna, and turmeric to the groom and bride.
Gifts for Visiting Guests
At a Baniya wedding, every guest is served delicious snacks. These are known as “bhaji” and include things like laddoos, jalebi, and namakpare.
Conclusion
A Baniya wedding is a perfect blend of tradition and extravagance. While they ensure all rituals and cultural aspects are honored, they also focus on making it a once-in-a-lifetime, larger-than-life experience. From royal venues to designer outfits, gourmet feasts to high-end gifts, every element is curated to leave a lasting impression!
Would you like details on specific Baniya wedding traditions or ideas for planning one? 