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) |
