Indian weddings resemble a carnival in every way. The various rites that are strongly ingrained in the cultures add colour and joy to every Indian wedding. India is a country with many different cultures, which makes every wedding there special and lovely. The Odia matrimony is an example of such a captivating wedding.
The Sun Temple of Konark and Jagannath Temple are just a couple of the temples. And national parks that are in this area on India’s eastern coast along the Bay of Bengal. Along with beautiful beaches, it is renowned for having a rich cultural history. An Odia matrimony is a seductive event to take part in or observe.
Nirbandh
Nirbandh, also known as Teh Vak Nischaya, is a ceremonial engagement ceremony. Only the elders are present for this ceremony, as is customary for Odia matrimony. Both parties formally consent to the marriage in a temple. This formally expressed commitment through words is known as a Sankalpa.
Jwain Anukula
One of the most significant pre-wedding customs in Odia matrimony is Jwain Anukula. To make the wedding’s official announcement, the families order wedding cards. They present the first wedding card to Lord Jagannath, the supreme god of the people of Odisha. Odia people are doing this since it is considered auspicious.
This Deva Nimantrana ceremony is very significant to the Odia matrimony culture. Then comes the formal invitation, which includes all of the friends and family. To formally invite his daughter to marry, the groom’s father and the men pay a visit to the bride. This tradition, known as Jwain Nimantrana, is another significant one in Orissa.
Mangan
The Mangan ritual, which is Odia’s version of the Haldi ceremony, is performed the day before the wedding. In the afternoon seven married women apply turmeric paste on the bride or groom’s hands and feet. The bride’s or the groom’s sister-in-law must be one of these seven women.
The bride and groom take a holy water bath to ward off the evil eye and enhance their pre-wedding glow. Traditionally, this ceremony was held separately at the homes of the bride and groom. But with destination weddings becoming more common, it is now happening all at once.
Jairagodo Anukolo
The pious flame that is thought to be lucky for the wedding is lit during the Jairagodo Anukolo rite. Ghee or oil in the form of havan is there to start this fire. Throughout all of the rites and rituals, the pious fire remains burning.
Diya Mangula Puja
This ceremony entails making prayers and performing puja at the neighbourhood temple, usually for the gramadevati or village goddess. To obtain the Goddess’ blessing, they donate the bride’s saree, toe rings, bangles, and a container of vermillion. The wife of the neighbourhood barber typically performs this rite. They believe that the Goddess will bless these items ensuring a long and fulfilling marriage.
Nandimukha
The bride and groom’s families perform the Nandimukha puja, which is a Bengali wedding tradition. In this ceremony, the fathers of each ask the ancestors to grant the couple’s wishes and ensure a happy marriage.
Barjaatri
At this wedding custom, the groom sets off for the wedding location. Typically, the family members escort the groom in a parade of individual cars. The bride’s mother performs a customary aarti and welcomes the groom at the venue’s entrance. Then he is brought to the mandap.
Baadua Pani Gadhua
The females who are with the bride inform her of the groom’s approach to the mandap. And she has then whisked away for her ceremonial holy bath, or Baadua Pani Ghadua. This is to prepare for the religious ceremony and ward off evil.
Kanyadaan
The first ceremony of a Hindu wedding is called the kanyadaan. At the wedding ceremony, the bride is brought in immediately after the groom. The groom is then given the bride by the bride’s father, who asks him to look after his daughter. He exhorts the groom to treat his daughter with a lifetime of love, respect, and dedication. The groom promises his intention to fulfil this duty and accepts this responsibility.
Hatha Granthi Fita
A garland made of mango leaves will be there around the hands of the bride and groom during this ritual. The father of the bride will join in. The groom commits to always making her happy by accepting her as his wife. This ceremony also symbolises the transformation of the bride into a wife.
Saptapadi
On the ground, seven little mounds of rice are created and blessed by the priest. These heaps stand in for Saptakil Parwatas which stand for the challenges they will experience as a married couple. With the groom by her side, the bride steps on these mounds of rice with her right foot. This resembles the starting of the first of their seven steps toward a happily ever after.
Post-wedding Ceremony
As the bride prepares to leave her home, the bride’s mother performs “Bahuna” songs. Other female relatives join in the song as well. When the bride enters her new home, the mother-in-law welcomes her by kicking the rice pot with her right foot. The bride is a different manifestation of the Goddess Laxmi who would bring happiness, wealth, and prosperity. The couple pays a visit to the bride’s parents’ house eight days after the wedding. The couple spends the night and enjoys a magnificent feast.
