what to write on a wedding invite

Oriya Brahmin Weddings take place in the morning time and the rituals and traditions related to the weddings usually go on for many days. An Oriya matrimony truly reflects the culture of Orissa and weddings here are a simple and elegant affair! Read on to know about some of the rituals that will be a part of your Oriya Brahmin wedding:

Jayee Anukolo Ceremony

This marks the beginning of the wedding preparations and the first ceremony for the wedding involves giving a wedding card to the family deity – Lord Jagannath. After the first card is given to the Lord, the card distribution begins with sending cards to family and friends. Many families also have a ritual of sending betel nuts to invite relatives for the wedding.

Nirbandh or Lagnadharaa
This is the engagement ceremony where the father of the groom and bride make a sankalpa to wed their children to each other. This ritual either takes place at the bride’s residence or at a temple. This custom is considered to be a Vaak Nischaya, a commitment signal and it is celebrated by exchanging gifts between the families.

Jairagodo Anukolo

This ritual marks the stoking of the fire and it is followed by Mangano where a paste of turmeric and sandal is applied on the bride’s face and body to keep her glowing and radiant for the Oriya matrimony ceremonies.

Barajatri & Baadua Pani Gadhua Custom

The groom arrives with his Baraat (known as Varaanugamana) to the wedding ceremony with pomp and splendour. He is greeted with aarti and tilak. Rice is a major component of the aarti. The groom’s feet are washed with coconut water and an offering is made of curd with honey and ghee. Traditionally, the bride is dressed in yellow sarees with a beautiful red border which is known as Boula Patta for the wedding. Now-a-days, Oriya Brahmins are embracing modernism and brides are seen in red, pink and orange as well. Once the bride knows that the groom has arrived, she heads for the holy bath which is known as Baadua Pani Gadhua.

Kanyadana

This ceremony takes place at the vivahavedi where the daughter is handed over to the groom for the rest of her life. There are seven heaps of rice at the mandap which symbolise seven hills. During the Saptapadi, the saptakulaparwata are worshiped. The bride and groom take seven rounds of the sacred fire which acts as a witness to their wedding.

Rice rituals in Oriya Brahmin weddings

The bride is considered to be auspicious for the husband and home since she is a form of Goddess Laxmi. All the guests shower rice on the bride to wish her happiness in her life. In the Grihapravesh, when the bride arrives at her new home, she spills grains of rice at the entrance for good fortune as she enters.

These weddings are simple and traditional. Brahmins from Orissa follow strict rituals in all their ceremonies so you will always notice lots of culture and heritage in every ritual.