Indian wedding glossary
Every ritual and term you will hear while planning an Indian wedding in Bangalore, explained in plain words by Wedsy's planners. Tap a tradition to jump to its functions.
A to Z
Common Indian wedding terms
Muhurtham (muhurat, muhurta)
The auspicious time fixed for the wedding ceremony, worked out from the couple's horoscopes and the panchanga. Good muhurat dates book out first at Bangalore venues. Muhurat dates 2027
Panchanga (panchang, panchangam)
The Hindu almanac that priests use to find auspicious dates and times for a wedding. See the dates
Mandap (mantap, kalyana mantapa)
The decorated canopy or structure under which the wedding rituals are performed. Mandap designs
Stage (reception stage)
The decorated platform where the couple stand to receive guests at the reception, and where most photos are taken. Stage designs
Saptapadi (seven steps, saat phere)
The seven steps the couple take together, each with a vow. In many Hindu traditions the marriage is complete with the seventh step. Plan your wedding
Kanyadaan (kanyadana, dhare)
The ritual in which the bride's parents give her hand to the groom. Plan your wedding
Mangalsutra (thali, mangalya)
The sacred necklace the groom ties around the bride's neck at the muhurtham. In South Indian weddings it is usually called the thali. Tamil weddings
Pheras (phere)
Circling the sacred fire together, usually seven times, at the heart of a North Indian wedding. North Indian weddings
Jaimala (varmala, garland exchange)
The bride and groom exchange flower garlands, often on a raised stage, to accept each other. North Indian weddings
Baraat
The groom's procession to the venue with music, dancing and family, often on a horse or in a decorated car. North Indian weddings
Haldi (arishina, pellikuthuru, pithi)
Turmeric paste applied to the bride and groom by family before the wedding, for blessing and glow. Telugu weddings
Mehendi (mehndi, henna)
Henna designs drawn on the bride's hands and feet, usually at an afternoon function with music and family. North Indian weddings
Sangeet
An evening of music and dance before the wedding, with performances by both families. North Indian weddings
Reception
The celebration for the wider circle of guests. In Bangalore it is often held the evening before the muhurtham. Reception venues
Kashi Yatra
A playful South Indian ritual: the groom sets off for a life of study at Kashi, and the bride's father stops him and offers his daughter's hand. Kannada weddings
Jeelakarra Bellam
At a Telugu muhurtham, the bride and groom place a paste of cumin and jaggery on each other's heads, the moment the marriage is sealed. Telugu weddings
Talambralu
A Telugu ritual in which the couple shower each other with rice, often coloured with turmeric, for prosperity. Telugu weddings
Oonjal
A Tamil ritual where the couple sit on a decorated swing while the women of the family sing and offer blessings. Tamil weddings
Sadya
The Kerala vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf at a Malayali wedding. Malayali weddings
Nameboard (welcome board)
The decorated sign at the venue entrance with the couple's names, often the first photo guests take. Nameboard designs
Kannada weddings
Kannada wedding rituals and functions
Nischitartha
The engagement: families exchange gifts and fix the wedding formally.
Naandi
Prayers at both homes that open the wedding rituals and seek the elders' blessings.
Arishina (haldi)
Turmeric for the bride and groom, usually the day before the wedding.
Kashi Yatre
The groom sets off for Kashi in jest and the bride's family brings him back with the promise of a bride.
Dhare Herdu
The bride's parents give her hand to the groom as water is poured over their joined hands.
Mangalya Dharane and Saptapadi
The mangalsutra at the muhurtha, then seven steps together.
Reception
Often held the evening before the muhurtha, or the evening after.
Telugu weddings
Telugu wedding rituals and functions
Nischitartham
The engagement, when the families confirm the match and the date.
Pellikuthuru and Pellikoduku
Turmeric and blessings that make the bride and groom ready for the wedding.
Snathakam and Kashi Yatra
The groom's rituals before the wedding, ending with his mock journey to Kashi.
Gauri Puja
The bride prays to Gauri while the groom's party arrives.
Kanyadaanam
The bride's parents give her hand to the groom.
Jeelakarra Bellam
Cumin and jaggery paste placed on each other's heads at the exact muhurtham.
Mangalya Dharana and Talambralu
The mangalsutra, then the couple shower each other with rice and pearls.
Reception
An evening for friends and the wider family.
Tamil weddings
Tamil wedding rituals and functions
Nichayathartham
The engagement, with the wedding date read out formally.
Pandhakaal Muhurtham
A prayer before the wedding preparations begin, for everything to go smoothly.
Kashi Yatrai
The groom leaves for Kashi in jest until the bride's father brings him back.
Maalai Maatral and Oonjal
Garlands exchanged three times, then the couple on a swing while the women sing.
Kanyadaanam and Mangalya Dharanam
The bride's hand given to the groom, then the thali tied to the getti melam.
Saptapadi
Seven steps around the sacred fire.
Malayali weddings
Malayali wedding rituals and functions
Nischayam
The engagement, with the families fixing the date.
Haldi and mehendi
Now common the day before, especially for weddings away from Kerala.
Thalikettu
The groom ties the thali at the muhurtham, the moment of the wedding.
Pudavakoda
The groom gives the bride a new saree (pudava), a sign he will care for her.
Kanyadanam
The bride's father places her hand in the groom's.
Sadya
The vegetarian feast on banana leaf, many dishes served in order.
Reception
Usually the same evening or the next day.
North Indian weddings
North Indian wedding rituals and functions
Roka and sagai
The families confirm the match; rings are exchanged at the sagai.
Haldi
Turmeric for the bride and groom, usually on the morning of a function day.
Mehendi
An afternoon of henna, music and family.
Sangeet
Performances by both families on a stage built for dancing.
Baraat
The groom's procession with dhol or band, sometimes on a horse.
Jaimala and pheras
Garlands at the stage, then seven rounds of the sacred fire.
Vidaai and reception
The bride's farewell, and a reception for friends.
Marwari weddings
Marwari wedding rituals and functions
Sagai
The engagement, with the families exchanging gifts.
Ban and Pithi
Turmeric rituals for the bride and groom in the days before the wedding.
Mehendi
Henna for the bride and the women of the family.
Mayra
The bride's or groom's maternal uncle arrives with gifts for the family.
Sangeet
An evening of music and dance by both families.
Baraat and Toran
The groom's procession, and his touch of the toran at the bride's door.
Varmala and pheras
Garlands, then the pheras around the sacred fire.
Vidaai and reception
The bride's farewell and the reception.
Gujarati weddings
Gujarati wedding rituals and functions
Gol Dhana
The engagement, marked with coriander seeds and jaggery.
Mandvo Mahurat
A puja before the mandap is set up, asking for a smooth wedding.
Pithi
Turmeric paste for the bride and groom at their homes.
Mehendi
Henna, music and family.
Garba and dandiya
A night of folk dance with dhol and live music.
Jaan and Ponkhvu
The groom's procession, welcomed at the door by the bride's mother.
Hasta Melap and mangal pheras
The couple's hands joined, then four pheras around the fire.
Vidaai and reception
The farewell and the reception.
Punjabi weddings
Punjabi wedding rituals and functions
Roka and Chunni
The match confirmed, and the groom's family covering the bride with a chunni.
Mehendi
Henna, boliyan and dancing.
Jaggo
The night before: the family dances through the venue with a decorated pot of lamps.
Chooda and Vatna
The bride's red bangles from her maternal uncle, and turmeric for both families.
Sehrabandi and baraat
The groom's sehra tied, then the procession with dhol.
Milni and jaimala
The families greet each other, then garlands on stage.
Anand Karaj or pheras
Four laavan around the Guru Granth Sahib, or pheras around the fire.
Doli and reception
The bride's farewell and the reception.