Chhattisgarhi Wedding Rituals and Traditions

A wedding is a beautiful celebration of love, culture, and togetherness. It is more than just a union of two people. It is a tapestry of unique traditions and rituals. Weddings in Chhattisgarh are full of energy and feature rituals passed down through generations.

Chhattisgarhi weddings often involve unique and beautiful traditions like mud wrestling, taking blessings from nature, and many more. Although rituals vary from region to region, they often reflect shared values. Weddings in Chhattisgarh take place in the months of March, April, and June after the harvest season due to the pleasant weather and auspicious "muhurats" according to the Hindu calendar.

Chhattisgarhi Wedding Rituals

Like most Indian states, Ganesh Pooja marks the beginning of the wedding. The couple, along with their families, seeks blessings for an unhindered married life through a Ganesh Pooja following which is a ritual called "Sagi-neti talk." There is a tradition in Chhattisgarh to speak neither too slowly nor too fast, but just perfectly. In this ritual, the groom's family visits the bride's home where a formal marriage proposal takes place. This ritual formally ties the two families together.

Tilak follows, wherein the groom visits the bride's home and her father applies tilak on his forehead, symbolizing acceptance and respect.

One of the most unique and beautiful rituals in Chhattisgarhi weddings is "Barish ki Kritye." This is a very unique wedding ritual performed in certain parts of the state. The bride and groom seek blessings from nature for a harmonious married life. In some tribal communities, there is a wedding ritual that involves wrestling in the mud!

People of the Majhi tribe perform a ritual wherein the bride's brothers wrestle in the mud to prove their love, loyalty, and strength toward their sister. This ritual is funny, messy, and so unique to the community.

Another fascinating ritual is followed by the Ghotul system. Ghotul is a religious and social center for the Gond tribal community. The young adults here date each other, are allowed to have intimate relationships, and fully understand each other before stepping into the overwhelming world of marriage. Before the actual wedding, the yet-to-be-married couple lives in adjacent huts where they are allowed to interact with each other in daily life activities. Once the couple feels compatible with each other, the wedding takes place.

Unlike the majority of India, where dowry is given to the groom's family despite being considered a backward tradition, a unique tradition is followed by the Gond tribe of Chhattisgarh. This tradition involves the groom's family paying a suitable "bridal price" to the bride's father to pay respects to her family.

Saat Phere Chhattisgarh

In some parts of the state, the groom's father gives a bracelet along with seven earthen pots to the bride. She sits under the open sky while seven women hold the pots over her head, pouring water from each pot. The water flowing from the last pot above her head is believed to be a blessing for fertility, prosperity, and growth in life.

Along with the unique rituals, the accessories and attire worn by the couple and their families are just as fascinating.

"Kakan Maur," a beautifully handcrafted headgear made of peacock feathers, bamboo flakes, and colored paper, is worn by thebride and the groom during the Haldi ceremony. The headgear is believed to protect the bride and the groom from evil eye.

During the wedding, the bride wears a traditional red or maroon saree embroidered with traditional designs. In some parts of the state, brides also wear Kosa silk sarees, which are considered to be very auspicious.

What makes Chhattisgarhi weddings so unique and graceful is how they embrace both old and new. While the marriage involves traditions and rituals passed down through generations, some couples also choose to take oaths on the Indian Constitution, symbolizing equality and a progressive future together.

So next time someone complains about their cousin's boring wedding reception, tell them about Chhattisgarh. Where else can you watch mud wrestling as part of the ceremony, see a groom crowned with peacock feathers, and witness vows taken on both ancient scriptures and the Constitution?