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Cheka
Pre-wedding ceremonies in Bihar and Jharkhand are as impressive and extensive as any other region or community in India. They are all about celebrating cultural heritage with modern aesthetics. While the traditional ceremonies are divided into three steps, pre-wedding, wedding day, and post-wedding, Cheka is one of the initial pre-wedding rituals that kick off the ostentatious wedding celebrations. It is very similar to an engagement as it testifies to the desire and willingness of two adults to enter into a marriage. In both Bihar and Jharkhand, the Cheka ceremony is held at the bride’s home. Only close family members and friends of the soon-to-be-married couple attend this ceremony. The Cheka ceremony, also called Chekaa or Chheka, is a typical pre-wedding ceremony where rings are exchanged to formalise the engagement of the soon-to-be weds. The ceremony takes place after the Satya Narayan Katha ritual. It is mainly held in the bride’s house, where several traditional rituals begin with a Ganesh Puja. The Ganesh Puja is performed to seek blessings from Lord Ganesha, the destroyer of obstacles and evils. This ritual is essential as it sanctifies the event, ensuring all the ensuing wedding ceremonies proceed smoothly in peace and harmony. Next is the exchange of gifts. The groom side's family carries gifts or shagun which includes jewellery, sarees, dry fruits, and sweets for the bride and her family. In return, the bride’s family also offers clothes, sweets, fruits, and jewellery to the groom and his family members. The shagun is a token of love, respect, goodwill, and acceptance of the union, not just between two people but two families. Once the exchange of gifts is complete, the couple exchange rings to symbolise a formal engagement. Then comes the Tilak or Sagan, a crucial part of the Cheka ceremony, which signifies strengthening the bond between families. In this ritual, the bride’s brother or a male relative applies Tilak (a mark made with vermilion or sandalwood paste) on the groom’s forehead to represent blessings. Applying Tilak during the Cheka ceremony also means the bride’s father and other family members have accepted the groom as a member of the bride’s family. Sometimes, besides serving as an official announcement of the engagement, during this ceremony, the wedding date is also decided by an astrologer and other elders in the family. Finally, the ceremony ends with a scrumptious vegetarian or non-vegetarian lunch or dinner for the families. In some families, the ritual is repeated the next day by the bride’s family in the groom’s house or a temple.
Cultural Significance
The Cheka ceremony in Bihar/Jharkhand weddings has deep cultural significance. It embodies an age-old culture followed by various dynasties who ruled the kingdom. On this day, alliances were formalised and accepted in the court and several homes. Today, it is also called the official ring ceremony or engagement ceremony. Passed down from Vedic times through several generations, the Cheka ceremony announces the news of the marriage to extended family and other community members.
The exchange of gifts symbolising commitment has been the essence of the Cheka ceremony for centuries. The Cheka ceremony serves as a symbol of commitment, embodying family values, honour, and reputation. It is a cultural, spiritual, and social responsibility that lays the foundation for the upcoming wedding ceremony.
Fashioning Tradition
During the Cheka ceremony, the bride is gifted beautiful sarees in a wide range of colours and embroidery styles. However, it is the saree with auspicious colours and motifs that she chooses to wear at her Cheka ceremony. Traditionally, the saree is the go-to attire for a bride-to-be. While traditional silk sarees in colours like red and yellow or hues of pink, magenta, and gold hold cultural meaning, modern brides-to-be are opting for designer sarees in pastels with intricate embroidery and modern draping styles.
In recent years, with the popularity of the lehengas, this piece of exquisite clothing heavily embellished with zari, embroidery, and sequin work has found its way into Bihar and Jharkhand’s pre-wedding attire. The bride-to-be also wears traditional gold necklaces, bangles, earrings, and maangtikka or gold and diamond jewellery to accentuate her look.
Today, while brides-to-be love to plan their pre-wedding, wedding, and post-wedding outfits, it is no different for the groom-to-be. Well-dressed grooms have an array of clothes, shoes, and jewellery to choose from. Most grooms-to-be prefer wearing traditional kurta pyjamas or kurtas in silk or cotton with beautifully embroidered motifs at their Cheka ceremony. Modern-day men even match the colour of their outfit with the bride-to-be as it complements and enhances the couple's look. Sometimes, they even wear a sherwani for a more contemporary yet formal and regal look. They complete the look with traditional footwear like mojaris or juttis and accessories like a Kundan or pearl necklace or a stylish brooch.
Jewellery & Accessories
While Bihar has a rich tradition of jewellery-making, with tribes wearing unique lac jewellery and pieces made from natural materials, the overall trend is blending traditional jewellery forms with modern aesthetics. A wide variety of jewellery designers are offering necklaces, earrings, and bangles in traditional filigree work decorated with small ghungroos. While the Dholna design necklace is often worn by brides on their wedding day, sometimes a modern-day bride chooses to wear it for her Cheka ceremony. Diamonds are no longer restricted to engagement rings but are also seen in the necklaces and earrings worn during the Cheka ceremony. The designs contain floral patterns, berries, leaves, and other religious symbols.
Image Credits
Youtube | Jyoti Weds Amit | Desievit | Hindustan Times | Times Now | Naks India | Bride Of Honor | Tour OfInida | Tripadvisor | Send Free Wedding Invitation | Wedding Wire | Quora | Bride Of Honor | Rig Photography