A-Z of terms used in South Asian wedding ceremonies
Some of the most common terms you’ll come across…
Aarti | a Hindu ritual in which incense and lamps are lighted as an offering to the deities |
Aashirwad | blessing the newly wed couple |
Acharya | a Hindu priest |
Aeki‐Beki | a Gujurati game played by the newly wed couple in which a ring is placed in a tray filled with milk and vermilion, in order to determine who will be the dominant partner in the marriage |
Agarbatti | incense sticks used in religious ceremonies |
Agwaani | welcoming the groom’s procession |
Akand Paath | a 3 day Sikh ritual in which the entire holy book, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is read cover to cover, without a break |
Ardaas | a Sikh prayer |
Bahu Bhaat | a Bengali post‐wedding ritual of the bride’s formal acceptance by her in‐laws |
Baraat | the groom’s wedding procession, usually includes family and friends dancing towards the ceremony venue with the groom on a horse |
Barfee | an Indian sweet |
Bhagwan | a term for God in the Hindu religion |
Bhabi | sister‐in‐law; brother’s wife |
Bhangra | popular genre of music from the Punjab often played at Indian weddings |
Bidaai | bride’s formal farewell to her parental home |
Bindi | a dot worn at the centre of a Hindu woman’s forehead, traditionally signifying her married status |
Boliyaan | traditional Punjabi folk songs |
Chandan | sandalwood |
Choli | a close‐fitted short top worn with a lehenga or sari |
Choora | bridal bangles put on the bride’s arms by her maternal uncle and worn for a specific amount of time after the wedding to signify her newly‐wed status (also, Chura, Chuda) |
Chunni | a Punjabi word for the long scarf traditionally worn with Indian garments (also, Dupatta, Chunri, Odhini) |
Dandia | colourful sticks used in the Gujurati folk dance (also, Daandia) |
Datar | a Sindhi post‐wedding salt ceremony, where a handful of salt is passed three times between the bride and the groom, and then between the bride and members of the groom’s family |
Dhol | large drum used in Punjabi weddings |
Dholki | small drum used when singing traditional folk songs, usually at the Sangeet |
Dhoti | an uncut piece of cloth tied around the waist, worn by men |
Dhruvnakshatra | a ceremonial viewing of the pole star by the bride and groom |
Doli | the ceremony after the wedding when the bride leaves her parents’ home and goes to her husband’s home |
Dulha | the groom |
Dulhan | the bride |
Dupatta | a long scarf or shawl traditionally worn with Indian garments (also, Chunni, Chunri, Odhini) |
Garba | a traditional Gujurati folk dance; a pre‐wedding evening of dance organised by the bride’s family |
Ghar Nu Laxmi | a Gujurati ceremony welcoming the newly wed bride to the groom’s home by the mother‐in‐law |
Ghodi | the decorated mare on which the groom arrives to the wedding |
Ghodi Sajai | ceremony of beautifying/decorating the groom’s mare |
Gota | a ribbon used as embroidery that is made of gold or silver thread |
Gota ceremony | a traditional Kashmiri Hindu ceremony of mixing thin flakes of pistachios, almonds and betel nuts |
Grahapravesam | the first time the newly‐wed couple enters their house |
Granthi | a Sikh priest |
Griha Shanti | a Hindu ritual conducted by a pundit, seeking a blessing from the stars |
Gurudwara | the Sikh temple or place of worship |
Guru Granth Sahib | the holy scripture of the Sikhs (also, Sri Guru Granth Sahib) |
Haar | a necklace |
Hasta Milap | a Hindu wedding ceremony where the groom’s scarf is tied to the bride’s sari, symbolising the union of their two souls (also, Hasta Milaap) |
Havan | lighting the sacred fire before a Hindu prayer or wedding ritual |
Hathevaro | part of the Parsi ceremony with hand fastening between the groom and the bride |
Henna | a coloured paste made from the green leaves of a henna plant used to decorate the hands and feet of the bride (also, Mehndi, Mehendi) |
Hriday Sparsh | the wedding vows taken by a Hindu couple |
Isaivu Pidimanam | the signing of the marriage agreement in a Tamil wedding |
Jaimala | a Hindu wedding ceremony where the bride and groom exchange garlands |
Janampatri | Indian natal horoscope |
Kaichi Utrrudal | the traditional Tamil wedding feast |
Kanyadaan | a Hindu ritual in which the bride is given away by her parents, by placing her hand over the groom’s |
Karah Prashad | ceremonial sacramental sweet distributed to visitors at a Sikh temple |
Kirtan | the singing of Sikh hymns, or shabads |
Koran | the holy scripture of Islam (also, Quran) |
Kucci misri | a Sindhi ceremony where the marriage alliance is formally approved |
Laavan | the four hymns that are recited during the Anand Karaj ceremony, in which the bride and groom circle the Guru Granth Sahib (also Lavan, Laava, Lavaan) |
Lagan | the Hindu wedding ceremony |
Langar | the communal meal served at a Sikh Gurudwara: in a wedding it follows after the Anand Karaj ceremony |
Lehenga | a two piece ensemble worn by women. The top can be either short or long, while the bottom is a flowing skirt (also, Lehnga, Lahenga, Lengha) |
Maangtika | a piece of jewellery consisting of a pendant and a length of chain that is attached to the middle parting of the bride’s hair, and falls over the centre of her forehead (also, Tika, Tikka, Teeka) |
Madhuparka | a Hindu ceremony where the groom’s feet are washed and he is offered honey and milk |
Mandap | a decorated four‐pillared canopy under which the bride and groom have their Hindu wedding ceremony |
Mandav saro | a Parsi pre‐wedding ceremony where a mango sapling is planted in a pot |
Mangalsutra | the necklace put on the bride by the groom during the Hindu wedding ceremony, consisting of black beads to ward off evil |
Mangni | a muslim engagement ceremony where the couple exchange rings, the bride wears an outfit gifted to her by her future in‐laws |
Masjid | the Muslim place of worship |
Meher | a muslim ceremony for deciding the amount of gifts that are given to the bride by the groom’s family |
Mehndi | a coloured paste made from the green leaves of a henna plant, used to make intricate designs on the hands and feet of the bride (also, Mehendi) |
Milni | a ceremony before the wedding where the men of both the bride’s and groom’s families meet to exchange hugs and garlands of flowers |
Mithai | Indian sweets (Also, Mitthai) |
Mookh Dikhai | a post wedding ceremony introducing the bride to her husband’s relatives |
Nadaswaram | a popular South Indian classical music instrument played during South Indian weddings (also, Nadhaswaram, Nagaswaram) |
Nath | a nose ring (also, Naath, Naathi) |
Nichayadartham | the Tamil ring ceremony |
Nikaah | the Muslim wedding ceremony (also, Nikah) |
Nikaahnama | registering the wedding contract which contains a set of terms and conditions that must be respected by both the parties |
Palla | the groom’s scarf which is placed in the bride’s hand by her father during the Sikh wedding ceremony |
Pandit | a Hindu priest (also, Pundit) |
Parikrama | going around the sacred fire, havan kund |
Phulkari | a traditional form of embroidery from the Punjab area |
Pithi | a ceremony where the bride and groom are covered in a yellow powder that is made into paste |
Pucci misri | the pre‐wedding Sindhi ring ceremony |
Puja | a Hindu prayer (also, Pooja) |
Ragi | Sikh men or women who sing religious hymns, or shabads (also, Raagi) |
Raas | a traditional Hindu dance in pairs and short sticks, called Dandia, which involves hitting the partner’s sticks while following the rhythm of the music |
Roka | a Punjabi pre‐wedding ceremony, formal approval of the alliance |
Rukhsat | a muslim ceremony in which the bride formally leaves her parental home |
Rumaal | a handkerchief; covering for the men’s head at a Sikh gurudwara (also, Rumal) |
Rupia Peravnu | a pre‐wedding Parsi ceremony, a formal approval of the alliance |
Saubhagyavati Bhava | a Hindu tradition where seven married women from the bride’s side will pass by the couple and whisper blessings into the bride’s right ear |
Sagaai | the Indian engagement ceremony (also, Sagai) |
Sagari | a pre‐wedding Sindhi ritual where the groom’s sisters and relatives visit the bride bearing flowers and gifts |
Salwar Kameez | a traditional Indian outfit worn by North Indian women that is comprised of a knee‐length shirt over gathered trousers and a long scarf |
Sangeet | a pre‐wedding custom involving women gathering together to sing traditional folk songs and verses |
Sanskrit | the traditional language in which the Hindu wedding ceremony is conducted |
Sarbala | a young boy who accompanies the groom during the Baraat at a Sikh wedding |
Saptapadi | the seven steps and vows taken by the bride and groom around the sacred fire in a Hindu ceremony |
Sari | a long piece of material that is uncut and unsewn, worn by Indian women (also, Saree) |
Satavaro | post‐wedding celebrations in the Sindhi community |
Sehra bandhi | the ceremonial tying of the traditional headdress on the groom |
Shaadi | the Indian wedding ceremony (also, Shadi) |
Shabad | a hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib |
Shehnai | an Indian musical instrument, associated with weddings (also, Shehnaai) |
Shilarohan | part of the Hindu wedding ceremony where the rock is used as a symbol of permanence |
Shubh Drishti | the Bengali bride and groom exchange garlands |
Sindoor | a sacred red powder that a groom places at the middle parting in his Bride’s hair during the Hindu wedding ceremony |
Suit | the common Punjabi word for a Salwar Kameez |
Thijab‐e‐qubul | the formal proposal and acceptance of the alliance between a muslim couple |
Tikka | a piece of jewellery consisting of a pendant and a length of chain that is attached to the middle parting of the bride’s hair, and falls over the centre of her forehead (also, Tika, Teeka, Maangtika) |
Ubtan | a pre‐wedding custom in which the female relatives of a muslim bride anoint her with turmeric paste to bring out the glow in her complexion |
Varmala | a Hindu ceremony where a cord is tied around the couple’s necks to protect them from evil |
Vidaai | the departure of the newly married couple (also, Bidaai, Ruksat, Doli) |
Vivaha | Hindu wedding ceremony (also, Vivaah) |
Walima | The reception held after the Muslim wedding (also, Valima) |