The Three Phases Of A Traditional Bangladesh Marriage

Marriage is one of the most auspicious moment that everyone looks forward to go through in their life. This is a common social institution that is followed by everyone around the world thought he customs and traditions attached to it may differ in which some may get completed in a day like the in Kerala, India or some may span for several days like the Bangladesh Marriage.

A Bangladesh Marriage can be of two types - Hindu Marriage and a Muslim Marriage in which the former is quite elaborative and the latter, though has many similarities has little less rituals. In both the types of marriages there are three phases namely the pre-wedding, wedding and the post wedding phase that spans over a period of 3 -5 days.

In the first phase when the match for the bride and groom are chosen, a back check is made to ensure that both of them are not related and are not descendants of the same lineage. This is done by a priest who checks the Kundalis (Horoscopes) of the bride and the groom. Once assured, the bride and groom get engaged through a ritual performed by a priest.

Next comes the function of Gaye Holud in which the bride's family & grooms family take turns to visit each others house (without taking the bride or the groom) and put on turmeric paste all around the bride's and groom's body. This is followed by Mehendi Sondha in which the bride's hands and feets are painted with henna to beautify her look. The groom's family bring along the bridal outfit, jewelry, sweetmeat and many gift items for this ritual.

On the main wedding day of a Bangladesh Marriage the groom comes in a procession to the bride's place and is welcomed with great pomp by blowing conch shells, playing the bells and as a mark of welcome ululation is done by the women. This is followed by the seating of the bride and the groom on the mandap (dais) and the priest performs various rituals amidst chanting of sacred mantras (hymns) and finally the bride's father performs a ritual in which he ceremonially hands over his daughter to the groom and this is called the Kanya Sampradaan. This is followed by a seven round to be taken by the bride nad the groom to finalize them as a couple with the Agni God as the witness to it. The marriage is said to be successfully completed.

The couple is then first received at the bride's home followed by a feast and then there is the send off ceremony of the bride (Vidayi). The couple then reach the groom's place where the bride, while entering here in-law's home for the first time has to dip her feet in a red colored solution (lac dye) and move forward into the house leaving her footprints.

On the third day of the wedding, a reception is hosted and the families friends and relatives attend from both the sides and enjoy a get together and bless the couple. And on this day the couple begin their true wedding life journey on a literal flower bed.