Neha’s Cocktail dinner
Date: 8 February, 2012 (8 p.m.) Venue: Ranchi Gymkhana Club, Ranchi.
An informal get together for Sid’s and Neha’s friends and families to meet and interact with each other over drinks and dinner.
An informal get together for Sid’s and Neha’s friends and families to meet and interact with each other over drinks and dinner.
Mehndi Ceremony
Date: 9 February, 2012 (11 a.m.) Venue: Neha's home
The mehndi ceremony involves the ritual application of henna tattoos as a temporary form of decoration on the brides hand and feet. Typically all married and unmarried women also get mehndi painted on their arms as a part of the celebrations. Although this is primarily a function at the bride's house, the women in the groom's family also get mehndi applied to their arms as part of getting ready for the big fat wedding. As is traditional for women in the eastern parts of India, alta, a deep red paint, will also be applied on the hands and feet of the women in Sid's family. Since Neha's Dad's family is from Delhi, blessed mehndi will also arrive from the bride's home for Sid to apply on his hands, albeit sparingly!
The mehndi ceremony involves the ritual application of henna tattoos as a temporary form of decoration on the brides hand and feet. Typically all married and unmarried women also get mehndi painted on their arms as a part of the celebrations. Although this is primarily a function at the bride's house, the women in the groom's family also get mehndi applied to their arms as part of getting ready for the big fat wedding. As is traditional for women in the eastern parts of India, alta, a deep red paint, will also be applied on the hands and feet of the women in Sid's family. Since Neha's Dad's family is from Delhi, blessed mehndi will also arrive from the bride's home for Sid to apply on his hands, albeit sparingly!
Katha Matkor Ceremony
Date: 9 February, 2012 (3 p.m.) Venue: Sid’s home.
Katha Matkor is ceremony which involves the sister of the groom digging the earth to symbolize prosperity. The Bhojpuri word matkor is a compound of the words matti (earth) and kor (digging). Therefore, Matkor constitutes of prayers to the Goddess Earth. The dug earth is symbolically used to make the puja (prayer) place in which the ritual basin is placed and in which nuptial fire is lit and around which the marriage vow is to be made.
Katha Matkor is ceremony which involves the sister of the groom digging the earth to symbolize prosperity. The Bhojpuri word matkor is a compound of the words matti (earth) and kor (digging). Therefore, Matkor constitutes of prayers to the Goddess Earth. The dug earth is symbolically used to make the puja (prayer) place in which the ritual basin is placed and in which nuptial fire is lit and around which the marriage vow is to be made.
Haldi Ceremony
Date: 9 February, 2012 (5 p.m.) Venue: Sid and Neha’s homes respectively.
The Haldi ceremony takes place a day or so before the wedding ceremony. Turmeric (haldi), rosewater, and sandalwood are mixed into a paste that is applied on both the bride and groom by their female relatives and friends. The ceremony is considered auspicious and is meant to purify both bride and groom before the big day. In Sid's family, the ceremony is bound to turn raucous as the elders will be more interested in playing holi with each other than in blessing the groom!
The Haldi ceremony takes place a day or so before the wedding ceremony. Turmeric (haldi), rosewater, and sandalwood are mixed into a paste that is applied on both the bride and groom by their female relatives and friends. The ceremony is considered auspicious and is meant to purify both bride and groom before the big day. In Sid's family, the ceremony is bound to turn raucous as the elders will be more interested in playing holi with each other than in blessing the groom!
Vivaah or Wedding Ceremony
Date: 10 February, 2012 (8 p.m.) Venue: The Radisson Blu Hotel, Ranchi.
The big day when the bride and groom get married with the fire god Agni, as their sacred witness. The wedding celebrations start with the baraat (wedding procession) of the groom arriving at the venue with lots of pomp, music and dancing. The ritual exchange of garlands by the bride and groom or Jai Mala ceremony is followed by the actual sacrament of marriage, which will be performed according to Vedic rites and Bihari traditions. Unlike in other parts of India, Bihari weddings require the girl to get married wearing a yellow sari. Also, certain ceremonies such as sindoor daan and majhakka are very typical to the east.
The big day when the bride and groom get married with the fire god Agni, as their sacred witness. The wedding celebrations start with the baraat (wedding procession) of the groom arriving at the venue with lots of pomp, music and dancing. The ritual exchange of garlands by the bride and groom or Jai Mala ceremony is followed by the actual sacrament of marriage, which will be performed according to Vedic rites and Bihari traditions. Unlike in other parts of India, Bihari weddings require the girl to get married wearing a yellow sari. Also, certain ceremonies such as sindoor daan and majhakka are very typical to the east.
Welcome Party
Date: 11 February, 2012 (8 p.m.) Venue: Golden Tulip Hotel, Ranchi
Leaving the sobriety of the wedding behind, Sid's friends and family welcome Neha as one of their own amidst songs and dancing. The dress code for the evening is western semi-formal for men. Women are free to wear western dresses or Indian formals (saris or salvar kameez). It is an evening for everyone to let their hair down and party the night away. Proper behaviour will not be appreciated.
Leaving the sobriety of the wedding behind, Sid's friends and family welcome Neha as one of their own amidst songs and dancing. The dress code for the evening is western semi-formal for men. Women are free to wear western dresses or Indian formals (saris or salvar kameez). It is an evening for everyone to let their hair down and party the night away. Proper behaviour will not be appreciated.
Reception Dinner
Date: 12 February, 2012 (8 p.m.) Venue: Gymkhana Club, Ranchi
A formal reception dinner to introduce the bride and groom to family and friends as a couple.
A formal reception dinner to introduce the bride and groom to family and friends as a couple.
