Haldi

Pithi Lagana, or the Haldi ceremony, is a grand celebration in Haryana. Until a few decades ago, the ceremony was held separately at the respective homes of the bride and groom, and attended by women only. Today, the bride and groom are hosting a joint Haldi celebration with everyone invited – men, women, and children. The Haldi function is usually held in the morning, two to five days before the wedding. Hotel lawns and party plots are the most preferred venues for the ceremony. The Haldi ritual begins with making the perfect haldi paste known as Batna or ubtann. It is prepared by married women in the groom's and bride’s homes. They mix freshly ground turmeric or haldi with barley flour, sandalwood powder, almond powder, curd, mustard oil, and lemon juice. This ceremonial paste prepared at the bride’s home is sent for the groom and vice versa, symbolising a union between the couple and their two families. The bride or groom is first made to sit on a low wooden stool or platform called a patri. Four female relatives hold a red cloth above the bride or groom’s head while married women of the house line up to apply the haldi paste. The mother of the bride or groom begins the ceremony by tying a red string bracelet on the bride or groom’s wrist. She then puts a small amount of haldi on a mango leaf and applies it on the face of the bride or groom. The elders dab haldi paste on the face, neck, arms, hands, knees and feet and bless the couple while others wait their turn. Soon, the ritual becomes playful as everyone begins to slather haldi paste on one another. The infectious energy and enthusiasm makes the Haldi ceremony the most fun-filled and much-awaited pre-wedding function. Sometimes, the bride or groom dabs a little haldi at their unmarried siblings or friends in the hope that they may find the perfect match soon. The Haldi ceremony has folk songs, music, and dance, too. Traditionally, women from the family or professional entertainers performed the popular folk form called Ragini, which tells stories, offers blessings, or playfully teases the bride or groom about their upcoming marriage. Songs are sung in the local dialect, accompanied by rigorous and lively folk dance performances. Some families even incorporate light-hearted fun games to add to the merriment. Once everyone finishes slathering haldi, the bride and groom take a ceremonial bath to cleanse themselves. The pithi acts as a skin exfoliant, giving their skin a beautiful glow. In some families, the bride and groom apply the haldi every day until the wedding. The afternoon ends with a festive feast of traditional dishes.

Jewellery & Accessories

For the Haldi ceremony, the jewellery style is traditional. The bride usually wears light-weight or minimalistic gold ornaments during the Haldi ceremony. As a paste of haldi is applied on the face, hands, and legs, the bride avoids wearing heavy and expensive precious jewellery. She may adorn a pair of earring studs instead of long jhumkas or a lightweight necklace instead of a heavy choker. The gold ornaments may have floral or nature-inspired designs reflecting the craftsmanship of the region. Similarly, gold, lac, glass, or silk thread bangles are used to imbue the Haldi ensemble with elegance. 

Modern Haldi jewellery is even made from natural or artificial flowers. From unique and custom Haathphools to Maangtikkas, earrings, and anklets, the bride looks resplendent in her floral jewellery. Floral jewellery is light and delicate and complements the Haldi look while keeping with a natural and organic vibe. It is also cheap, hassle-free and disposable, so the bride need not worry about staining it.