How the Haldi Ceremony is Losing its Essence Today: From Beer to Eggs

Like many customs in the Hindu culture, the Haldi Ceremony has distinct celebrations etched to it, and it marks some considerable steps before marriage. It is more than a procedure where Turmeric is smeared onto the bride and groom. Imagine this, the bride and groom lavishly dressed in green and yellow are getting to laugh and served to by close friends and family members.

Haldi ceremony (Image: Wedmegood)

With the help of family’s members, a mixture made from sandalwood, rosewater, and milk is blended thoroughly. Then, it is applied on the bride and groom’s body. This oblation is meant to purify the bodies and souls which frees them from negative energy while simultaneously showering them with the blessings of deities like Lord Vishnu and Goddess Parvati who are known to bring harmony and wealth.

However, the spirit of these blessings is slowly corroding with the addition of western cultures. Global over-commercialization has sadly shifted the narrative of hospitality. Now, the self-reported purity of turmeric is hard to come by. The healing capabilities that turmeric once possessed, is now beyond reach. Since they are now constantly being mixed with stronger ingredients such as lead chromate and unnatural colors. These new mixtures with lead chromate act as the opposite of what is supposed to nurture the couple's spirit. Instead, these options that put the couple’s spirit at risk stand in opposition to the claim of nurturing spirit. Also, instead of the Haldi ceremony being of heartfelt culture, it is slowly transforming into a shallow public display for social media.

Haldi with beer and whiskey (Image: Wedmegood)

At this moment, we do not perform Haldi for a wedding ceremony the same way it has been traditionally done. Everything from the ritual and the sacred water of Haldi is replaced with something more modern like beer, whiskey, and champagne, transforming what was once a deep nuanced sacred custom into a celebrating showpiece. The subtle pouring of turmeric by the elders of the family, imbued with blessings and folk songs is replaced by the modern loud DJ tracks, extravagant decorations, and the essence of night clubs which is staggering to say the least.

The westernization agenda coupled with the commercialization phenomenon is the reason behind this shift. Most couples tend to eliminate cherished rituals like the Haldi but only do so to serve their purpose for an Instagram moment. In their eagerness to shield and prepare the couple for a lifelong bond, the sacred practice is often reduced to an uninspiring photo opportunity. The once revered turmeric, which was deeply ingrained in the culture and was performed as a blessing, is now brazenly substituted by shop bought beauty masks that utterly devoid these rituals of the little individuality they once had.

We have to comprehend those traditions—much like the purity of turmeric—must now not be altered for convenience or fleeting enjoyment. Whilst we update natural turmeric with dangerous materials and sacred customs with gimmicky trends, we do greater than simply disrespect our background. We change the understanding that our ancestors have preserved through generations. It’s time for us to reflect on whether we are truly honouring our roots or simply reshaping them for present day appeal. Let's reignite the sanctity of Haldi, embracing each its ceremonial essence and its purity, ensuring this cherished tradition stays untarnished via the forces of commercialization and carelessness.