Wedding process in Marwaris, is usually traditional elaborate affair. Marwari weddings are eloborate and the pre and post wedding functions are well stretch for days. In Marwari weddings tradition and customs take precedence over everything else.
The wedding process follows age-old custom, which are explained step by step :
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1. Match-Making :
   As mostly Marwari marriages are arranged one the matchmaking is the foremost part of the wedding process. Utmost care is taken in this matter so that the alliance is perfect. Generally following criteria is followed for match making :
   1. Within the community.
      
   2. The social and financial status of the families have to be at par.
      
   3. The horoscopes have to be tallied by the family astrologer.
      

2. Ceremonies :
   After match macking following ceremonies are performed :
   1. The Engagement (Tika) Ceremony :
      To make match making official and binding for both Groom and Groom Engagement ceremony takes place at the home of the groom. Only the bride’s father, brother and other close relatives attend this ceremony. This is a strictly all male affair. No ladies, not even the bride, accompany the menfolk for the tika. (Now a days close female relatives of bidal and groom's family can be seen in these functions.). The ceremony is so called because the bride’s brother actually applies a tilak to the groom’s forehead and makes the alliance or engagement official. Gifts like clothes, fruits, sweets etc., are given to the groom.

   2. Ganapati Sthapna (installation) :
      Ganapati sthapana is the second most important ceremony performed usually a few days (7 to 15 Days) prior to the wedding. A pooja is performed with the help of pandit (poojari) by the groom and bride’s parents at their homes to propitiate the gods and an idol of Lord Ganapati is installed. Other ceremonies commence only after the Ganpati sthapana.

   3. Pithi Dastoor Ceremony (Ban) :
      The pithi dastoor is one of the first important ceremonies, which involves the bride/groom and continues until the day of the wedding. The actual ceremony consists of application of turmeric and sandal wood paste to the bride/ groom.

      The pithi dastoor at the bride’s house is an elaborate affair. The bride dresses in an orange poshak (Rajasthani dress) and is then brought under a silken canopy, which is held at the four corners by four ladies who must belong to the same family as the bride. She is brought to the ladies gathering, who then apply the paste to her.

      A similar ceremony takes place at the groom’s house as well, although it is not as elaborate.

      Dholans (women singers with dholak) sing auspicious prewedding songs while the ceremony is in progress. Throughout the wedding celebrations, the dholans are omnipresent, along with the Shehnai and the nagara players, though the latter remain at the courtyard or the garden. Groom and Bride cannot leave the house once the pithi starts till wedding.

   4. Mehfils :
      Mehfils are the integral part of every Marwari wedding. These are usually held in the evenings. At the mehfil, all the womenfolk gather at a central place in an enclosed courtyard or hall. Dressed in dazzling dresses, they perform the various dances & sing wedding songs. The groom / bride at the mehfil is given an important position to sit and watch the proceedings. He / She may join the dancing occasionally.

   5. Mahira Dastoor :
      The mahira dastoor is yet another important ceremony, common to both the bride and the groom’s families. This ceremony is performed by the maternal uncle ( Mama ) of the groom/bride, who, along with his wife and family, arrives with much fanfare, and is received by the bride/groom’s mother with the traditional welcome. The uncle then gives clothes, jewellery, sweets etc., to the entire family and relatives. The ceremony signifies that since at the time of a wedding there is considerable expenditure, it is the duty of the brother to help his sister at her child’s wedding.

   6. Palla Dastoor :
      On the day of the actual wedding, or maybe a day prior to it, the palla dastoor is brought in by a few of the groom’s relatives, accompanied by family retainers, to the bride’s house. The palla dastoor consists of clothes, jewellery and gifts from the groom, which the bride has to wear during the wedding ceremony. This particular custom is typical to the Marwaris.

   7. Nikasi :
      The boy dresses up as a groom. He wears a padgi or headgear. The padgi is tied up by the jija (sister's husband). The boy wears 'pecha', 'kalgi' and 'tani'. A sehra either of flowers or of pearls is tied on the pagdi. The sister in law (brother's wife) of the boy applies kajal in his eyes. Golden threads are tied to the reins of the mare. This 'vaag-gunthai' is performed by the sisters and the reins of the horse are held by the jija. The boy first goes to the temple before proceeding to the girl's house.

   8. The Marwari Baraat :
      Marwari baraat consists entirely of male members (Now a days females are also allowed to in Barrat). The bridegroom is usually dressed in a gold achkan, with an orange turban and a churidar or jodhpurs with jootis. On the turban he wears a serpech a piece of jewellery specially meant for the urban. Around the neck he wears a necklace and around the waist he ties a cummerband. Of course, variations in styles and colours prevail.

3. Toran :
   The entrance of the girl's house is decorated with a 'toran'. The boy hits the toran with a stick of neem. This is called 'toranachar'. This is a symbol of warding off the evil eye. After this the girl's mother does 'aarta' and 'tilak' to the boy.

4. Jaimala :
   Then the boy is escorted to a dais prepared for the jaimala ceremony. The bride and groom exchange garlands. This is the first step of the wedding rituals.

5. Actual Wedding Ceremony :

   After jaimala (Vermala) bride and groom is taken to another mandap where rituals related to phera are perfomed :

   1. Granthi-Bandhan :
      The next step is 'granthi-bandhan' or tying the knot. This signifies the union of two individuals. From this day they become one entity. This is done by tying the cloth tied around the groom's waist to the chunni of the bride. Either the sister of the groom or the priest does it.

   2. Paanigrahan :
      After this ' paanigrahan' ceremony takes place. The groom takes the bride's hand in his hand. It is again a symbol of this most pious union. It signifies that they will now be together in good times and bad. It is an oath, which they take.

   3. Pheras :
      Then the groom and the bride go around the fire. This act is called 'pheras'. Only four 'pheras' are done in the mandap and three pheras are done at the entrance. In the two pheras, the girl is in the front and in the other two the boy leads.

   4. Ashwahrohan :
      Then Ashwarnarohan is done. The girl puts her foot on a grinding stone. This is a symbol of steadfastness and symbolic of facing every challenge with courage. Then the brothers of the bride puts 'kheel' or puffed rice in the bride's hand, which are passed to the groom's hand and then offered to the fire. It symbolizes the brother's happiness and wishes of prosperity for his sister and her husband.

   5. Vamang-Sthapana & Sindurdaan :
      After this the most important ceremony takes place. It is called ' vamang-sthpana' and 'sindurdaan'. The groom requests the bride to sit on his left side, because the heart is in the left side of the body. This signifies that the groom is accepting the bride and is establishing her in his heart. Then the groom fills the bride's middle parting with sindoor or vermillion. It is considered to be the most auspicious sign of a married woman.

   6. Saptapadi :
      After this 'saptapadi' is carried out. The bride and the groom walk seven steps together. This signifies that till now they have walked alone but from now on, they will always walk together in synchronization. Then seven sentences are said as a form of oath by both the girl and the groom. These are the promises they make regarding their conduct towards each other. After this 'pherpatta' is done which signifies that the bride can freely proceed to her in-laws house.

      After this the sister of the groom does the 'sargunthi' or adorning of the girl's hair. She puts some ornaments to the bride's hair. It is a form of acceptance by the groom's family.

   7. Aanjhala Bharaai :
      Then 'aanjhala bharai' is done. A bag full of money is put in the new brides lap by her father-in-law. This is his way of welcoming her into his family and also to make her aware of her family responsibilities. The bride then distributes a part of this money to her sister-in-law and her husband. After this the new couple get up from the mandap. All the elders bless them when the couple touches their feet.

   8. Paharavani :
      The groom is then taken for 'paharavani'. He is made to sit on a new cloth (asana). Tika is applied to his forehead. The groom is given gifts in the form of money, clothes and other things for his personal use. A silver utensil or kachola is given to the groom's father. The woman folk of the bride's side then take the groom for 'shloka kahalai' wherein he is made to recite poems or dohas.

      After this, the bride worships the threshold (dahaleez) of her paternal home and breaks an earthen diya on it. The groom and the bride are escorted out and they leave for the groom's house.

6. Post Wedding Ceremony :
   1. Grihapravesh :
      Once the baraat returns with the newly weds, the grihapravesh takes place. The bride still wears the veil while the puja and other ceremonies take place. A few games are played between the bride and the groom. They are also common to other Hindu weddings.

   2. Pagelagni :
      The day following the grihapravesh, the pagelagni takes place. This is a ceremony where the bride, still in veil, is formally introduced to all the family members of the groom who bless her and give her gifts. The veil is then finally removed.

 

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