J&N
Guide to Events
Maaiyan
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This ceremony involves applying a paste made of turmeric, chickpea flour, and mustard oil to the bride and groom’s skin. It is assumed to cleanse and beautify the couple before their wedding day.
Mehndi Ceremony
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Intricate henna designs are applied to the bride’s hands and feet. Friends and family members also participate. The henna patterns symbolise beauty, good luck and love in the bride’s new journey.
Choora Ceremony
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The bride’s maternal uncle helps put on a set of ivory or red bangles called a “choora”. These bangles are worn for upto a year after the wedding as a symbol of the newly married status.
Jaggo / Ladies Sangeet
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Jaggo & Ladies Sangeet, is a time for singing and dancing where wedding guests will dance with pots on their heads decorated with oil candles. It involves singing traditional Punjabi folk songs and lots of dancing. Jaggo literally means to “wake up” and this event would have historically happened by alerting the village at night about the upcoming wedding.
Milni
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Respective members from the bride’s and groom’s families meet and exchange garlands and hugs. It symbolizes the coming together and merging of two families.
Anand Karaj
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Is the Sikh religious wedding ceremony which is conducted in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. The ceremony is conducted by a Sikh priest or Granthi, who recites hymns and offers blessings. The bride and groom circle the Guru Granth Sahib four times and the ceremony emphasizes the spiritual union of the couple and their commitment to living a life of love, equality and devolution to Waheguru (God).