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Tilak
Weddings in Bihar and Jharkhand are a big multi-day affair. They include pre-wedding, wedding day, and post-wedding rituals and celebrations spanning four to five days. The Tilak ritual is the fourth pre-wedding ceremony following Satyanarayan Katha, Cheka, and Haldi Kutai. It is mainly after this ritual that the alliance and wedding date are both formally announced. The application of the Tilak, also known as Tilaka, symbolises the groom’s sectarian affiliation, spiritual connection, and awakening of consciousness. While this auspicious ceremony is mostly held in the groom’s house, occasionally, it may be held in a Hindu temple to seek divine blessings from the Lord before embarking on married life. The Tilak ceremony in Bihar and Jharkhand) is a ritual to bless the groom and accept him into the bride’s family. It begins with the bride's brother, father, maternal uncle, and male family members visiting the groom’s house with Tilak Parats or Thals (large ceremonial platters). The bride's brother has to carry a Gaggara and three Parats. The gaggara is a stainless steel vessel used to store water. Coconut and mango leaves are placed in the gaggara. The groom also carries three parats; the first parat contains one and a half kilograms dhan (red unpolished rice with husk covering), one and a half kilograms of supari (betel nuts) dipped in turmeric, and one and a half kilograms of haldi (whole turmeric). The second parat contains yellow rice and fifty-one rupees as a gesture of respect and goodwill. The third parat contains dry fruits. The bride’s brother applies the Tilak (a paste made of vermillion and sandalwood powders) on the groom's forehead. He also puts a small amount of rice over the tilak, symbolising prosperity and well-being. The elders from both families sing traditional hymns and prayers and bless the groom. Once that ritual is completed, the brother hands over the Tilak parats with clothes, footwear, and jewellery for the groom to wear at his upcoming wedding ceremony. In return, the groom’s parents hand over to the bride’s brother trays filled with a gold Nath (nose ring), bridal garments, and maangtikka as a token of the alliance.
Cultural Significance
The Tilak ceremony has evolved over centuries. It formalises the union between two individuals and their families. The ancient tradition, passed down through generations, holds deep cultural and symbolic significance. It is one of the most important rituals, varying by region but practised throughout Bihar and Jharkhand as a pre-wedding event.
The Tilak ceremony represents the official acceptance of the groom and sets the groundwork to foster a long-term harmonious bond between the bride's and groom's families. Applying Tilak to the forehead of the groom is regarded as a sign of respect and honour.
The Tilak ceremony is considered an auspicious beginning to the Bihar and Jharkhand's wedding festivities. It is the perfect time to take blessings from elders and deities for a prosperous and happy marriage.
Fashioning Tradition
Like most other pre-wedding functions, to celebrate the Tilak ceremony, the menfolk participating from the bride’s side dress in traditional Indian wear. Commonly, the men opt for a churidar kurta or a dhoti kurta that is vivacious but not as heavily embellished as the wedding day attire. They may even wear a pair of colourful Mojaris to complement or contrast the attire. Accessories like a cap, watch, or gold chain are also worn, keeping the look minimal.
Even on the groom’s side, everyone dresses in Indian attire as a mark of respect for age-old traditions. The auspicious colours chosen are often bright red, yellow, and gold. While red stands for prosperity and auspiciousness, yellow stands for happiness and joyfulness, and gold stands for wealth and purity. Blacks and greys are mostly avoided. From salwar kurta to dhoti kurta and Sherwanis, the groom is always well-dressed. Some families may opt for more contemporary or indo-western styles but overall traditional Indian styles are preferred.
Jewellery & Accessories
The jewellery worn by the groom during the Tilak ceremony in Bihar and Jharkhand has symbolic meaning. For instance, a gold chain symbolises prosperity, whereas the Kada (thick bangle) symbolises protection. The groom may even wear an heirloom piece like an ornate ring or brooch.
The traditional jewellery pieces often also carry motifs of nature and floral patterns typical of Bihari jewellery designs. The jewellery worn by the groom during the Tilak ceremony in Bihar has aesthetic, cultural, and spiritual significance. Family members and guests too, wear gold jewellery with their traditional outfits when attending a Tilak ceremony.
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