Bengali culture and marriages are an elaborate one and quite complex, hence we at abppatropatri.com have created this file to better understand the bengali rituals and culture for everybody .

1. Bengali Matrimonial Rituals Bengali weddings are never celebrated In a hurry. Every Moment is cherished, And there is a ceremony for every Occasion. The pre wedding rituals Are celebrated with equal grandeur and together, they work towards Uplifting the levels of excitement in The D-day. Beautiful clothes , quaint Ceremonies and mouth watering Meals ,mark the happiness and Make it an unforgettable Experience for the couple and invitees. Bengali Wedding Traditions, Rituals and Cultures

3. Ashirbaad.

4. Al Buddo Bhaat.

5. Vridhi. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 2

6. Adan Pradan An antiquated ritual, it involves the prospective groom and bride along with the elders in the family sitting in the presence of the priest who after establishing that the couple are not close relatives or share the same gotra (ancestral lineage) sets the date for the wedding. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 3

7. Ashirbaad/Patripatra Equivalent of an engagement ceremony, the Ashirbaad ceremony takes place two- three days before the wedding date. For this ceremony, first the groom's family (excluding the groom) visit the bride's home and shower her with blessings as well as with costly presents, usually in the presence of a priest who places an idol of Bhagwan Narayan in the front. Later, the bride's family blesses the groom in his house and gifts him a ring, gold buttons and a watch. It is a kind of acceptance of the boy and the girl on both sides. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 4

8. Al Buddo Bhaat Ai Buddo Bhaat refers to the last meal that the maiden partakes of in her own house before she is married off. A joyous occasion, it calls for a mini-feast where the bride's extended family and close friends join in the celebrations and wish her all the best. The Ai Buddo Bhaat feast consists of typically Bengali fare such as rice, fish, puris , vegetable preparations and sweets such as payash, rasgullas etc, Conversely, sometimes close friends and relatives invite the would-be groom/bride to their house for Al Buddo Bhaat where all their favorite dishes are prepared and they usually receive gifts. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 5

9. Vridhi The Vriddhi ceremony signifies the puja ceremony conducted to honor all the ancestors of both the bride and the groom. Usually performed by a paternal uncle, it involves decorating the place of the puja with alpona (rangoli) . Upon that alpona, a ghot (copper jug) containing the amrapallab (mango leaves) is placed. Simultaneously the baran dala is prepared that is usually a silver plate with a symbol of Sri painted on it where all the items that will be needed for the puja are placed. Then the priest performs the puja by placing the idol of Bhagwan Narayan in front. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 6

11. Wedding Piris

12. Gae Halud Tattva

13. Adhibas Tattva

14. Sankha Porana

15. Kubi Patta

16. Snan

17. Boijotri

18. Potto Bastra

19. Sindoor Daan and Ghomta 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 7

20. Dodhi Mangal This ceremony takes place right at the crack of dawn where the bride/groom are fed with an auspicious meal comprising of rice and fish dishes, and chirwa, curd, etc during the period of Brahma Muhurta. In early times, the bride/ groom used to visit a nearby pond, accompanied by 8-10 married women as a symbol of inviting Godess Ganga to their wedding and then returned with a pitcher of water, which was to be used for bathing. But this ritual has been largely dispensed with, due to the constraints of a city life. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 8

21. Wedding Piris The Piris are the low flat stools on which the couple is seated during the wedding ceremony. Beautifully painted, as they are being brought into the house, the women of the house blow conch shells. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 9

22. Gae Halud Tattva Gae Halud ceremony refers to the haldi ceremony where the turmeric paste is applied on the groom at dawn and is attended by all the family members. Then the same paste is sent to the bride' house along with the Tattva or the gifts given to the bride and her immediate family members from the groom's side. The arrival of the tattva is met with the blowing of the conch shells. Then the bride's haldi ceremony begins. Before the gaehalud ceremony, the bride has already been fed with the Dahi Mangal, after which she is supposed to fast till the marriage is over. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 10

23. Adhibas Tattva As the groom's family departs after the haldi ceremony, they are given the Adhibas Tattva, which contains gifts for the groom and his mother along with numerous sweets. The gifts are placed on a brass plate (kasar thala). 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 11

24. Sankha Porana This ceremony involves the bride putting on the conch shell bangles, known as sankhaporana that have been dipped in water. Then, to the accompaniment of priest chanting the sacred verses and seven married women, the bride wears as iron- and silver-entwined bangle that symbolizes a tough and long lasting relationship 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 12

25. Kubi Patta and Snan This is a short ceremony to revere Saint Kuber taking place in the houses of the bride and the groom. On the day of the marriage, offerings are made at the altar of the Saint. The family members then place three metal glasses filled to the brim with dhaan, khoi (pulses), and crushed rice to invoke him. “Snan” refers to the holy bath before the marriage. 3/9/2010 13

26. Boijotri Boijotri refers to the ritual where the bride's maternal uncle or brother comes to pick up the groom and escorts him to the wedding venue. The groom's family members follow behind him and is the time when the Bengali groom is all decked up. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 14

27. Potto Bastra Here the bride's mother receives the groom at the entrance with the boron dala that contains a lamp, honey, yogurt, and betel leaves. She applies a tika of sandalwood on the groom's forehead and then on the ground. After the process is repeated three times, the groom is presented with a shawl and a dhoti and escorted to the mandap. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 15

28. Sindoor Daan and Ghomta The bride’s brother offers puffed rice to the fire. The couple is then seated in their respective places. The groom then applies vermilion on the bride’s hair-parting. The bride’s head is then covered by the new saree offered by the groom’s parents. The bride is then bid adieu by her parents and family members with blessings. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 16

30. Bidaai

31. Bou Baran

32. Bou Bhaat

33. Reception

34. Phool Sajjaya

35. Diya Gaman3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 17

36. Bashar Ghar According to the Bengali tradition, the groom spends the night in the bride's home where night long fun and merriment continues with all the family members and friends joining in. Bidaai When the bride finally leaves her parent's home to set out for her new home, it is called the Bidai. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 18

37. Bou Baran Refers to the formal reception accorded to the bride as she steps into her husband's home wherein, the elders of the house bless the newlyweds. Amidst loud ringing of bells and blowing of conch shells the groom puts an iron bangle on to his bride's left arm. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 19

38. Bou Bhaat This signifies the first time that the bride serves food, usually delicious rice preparations to the family elders and her meal in her new home. At this point, the husband proffers a plate full of food, along with a new sari as an affirmation that from now he is responsible for all her needs- food, shelter and clothing. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 20

39. Reception Hosted by the groom's family, it is a chance for the new bride to get acquainted with all the family members and friends. Phool Sajjaya This marks the third night after the wedding when the nuptial bedroom is decorated with beautiful flowers and the newly weds too put on new clothes for this special occasion. The flowers, clothes and sweets for the occasion usually arrive as gifts from the bride's house. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 21

40. Diya Gaman A ceremony conducted, when the newlyweds visit the bride's house for the first time after the wedding. The thread that was tied by the Purohit (priest) on the bride's wrist during the wedding rituals is cut during this ritual. Conch shells are blown to mark the auspicious moment. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 22

41. Thank You To Know more about Bengali Matrimony, culture and tradition , please take a look at http://www.abppatropatri.comwhich is a upcoming Bengali matrimonial website launched by the ABPgroup which will surely help in finding you the perfect “Soul Match”. 3/9/2010 Bengali Matrimonial Rituals 23