The Hindi word "Mehndi" refers to what is known as "henna" in English. Henna is a dye prepared from the plant Lawsonia inermis (also known as "hina," or "mignonette tree"). Henna has been used for centuries throughout the India subcontinent, the Middle East, and North Africa as a form of temporary body art with a broad range of cultural meanings. In both Hindu and Muslim weddings, the bride is adorned with intricate Mehndi designs on her hands, arms, feet, and legs on the day before the wedding. This body art is not just for aesthetics, however. It is also thought to bring good luck to the bride and calm her nerves before the wedding day. (Indeed, henna as an herb is also known for its cooling and relaxing properties.) Ceremonial mehndi is also applied to the groom. While Pritha will receive her Mehndi in a private event with close family before the Mehndi/Sangeet on the 28th, all guests will have an opportunity to have their own Mehndi done by artists we have hired for the event.
"Sangeet," literally translated, means "music." In traditional Indian Hindu weddings, Sangeet is a music and dancing-filled event meant to celebrate the union of two families before the official wedding. While our Sangeet event -- which we have combined with Mehndi for our guests (see above) -- will occur the night before the wedding, the Sangeet in traditional Indian Hindu weddings usually occurs several days before the wedding and can often span over the course of more than one night. The event typically takes place at the bride's family home as a way to welcome all the guests and create a social and familial bond. During Sangeet, family members and friends of both the bride and groom will choreograph and perform dances, sing songs, and recite poetry to celebrate and bless the couple. While Sangeet has historically been organized and attended almost exclusively by women, it has more recently been celebrated as an event open to guests of all genders.
In Indian and Pakistani weddings, Baraat is a moving wedding procession led by the groom's family that includes singing, dancing, and music. Traditionally, the Baraat begins at the groom's house on the wedding day and ends up at the bride's house or wedding venue just before the start of the ceremony (or "Shaadi"). Those who participate in the Baraat dance along to music performed by singers, brass instruments, and drummers as they travel from the groom's home to the wedding venue. The groom rides along in the procession in a car, on a horse, or sometimes even on an elephant. At our wedding on the 29th, we will begin at 10 am in the atrium just outside the Galaxy Ballroom at Windows on Minnesota where the wedding ceremony will be held. Due to the winter weather, our Baraat will be held indoors, and unfortunately will not involve Tyler riding a horse or an elephant. However, we will have live drummers, a DJ, and plenty of fun and dancing.
"Shaadi," literally translated, means "wedding." The Shaadi involves “Varmala” (exchange of garlands) following which the bride, groom, and their parents sit with a priest around a sacred fire. The fire signifies Agni, the god of fire. Agni is thought to sustain life, and therefore gives life to the couple's marriage. The ceremony begins with the bride's parents giving the bride away in a ritual called "Kanyadan" (a Sanskrit word for offering the bride). After Kanyadan, the bride and groom are joined by knotting their garments together and engage in the next major component of the ceremony, the "Saat Phere" ("seven circles"). During the Saat Phere, the couple circles the sacred fire seven times to signify seven holy vows, the first three led by the bride and the last four led by the groom. Finally, the ceremony ends with the groom applying vermillion powder in the parting of the bride’s hair, a sacred ritual called “Mang Bharai” that signifies that the bride is now a married woman.