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Haldi
Haldi is one of Madhya Pradesh weddings' most vibrant and highly anticipated pre-wedding ceremonies. It is a ritual that adds a fresh zeal of enthusiasm to the wedding celebrations. Turmeric or haldi has been used in wedding rituals for centuries. Mostly, married women in the family and neighbourhood come together to prepare the ceremonial haldi. They mix ingredients like turmeric, sandalwood powder, almond oil, rosewater, and milk to prepare a paste for the bride's or groom’s skin. Usually, the ceremonial haldi for the bride comes from the groom’s house, and vice versa. The Haldi ceremony, or Pithi or Ubtan, is a joyous occasion filled with laughter and fun. On the day of the ceremony, the bride and groom are seated on the floor. Four female married relatives hold a red cloth above their heads. The mother of the bride and groom begins by applying the ceremonial haldi. A small amount of turmeric paste is applied to their feet, hands, arms, and face. After that, married women in the family begin to dab some haldi, singing folk songs and blessing the to-be-weds. Later, relatives and friends apply haldi to the bride or groom. It soon becomes a fun activity, with everybody slathering haldi on each other. The bride and groom also join in the revelry till they are drenched in haldi. After a ceremonial bath, the bride and groom join the others for a delicious lunch, marking the end of a joyous celebration.
Cultural Significance
The bright yellow colour of turmeric or haldi is considered auspicious. Since yellow represents strength, happiness, and prosperity, everything from the dress to the décor has some yellow. The bride, groom, family members, and guests wear yellow traditional clothes. Also, the Haldi venue is decorated with fresh yellow or orange flowers and yellow and gold trimmings.
Haldi purifies the mind and body. It even has a natural compound called curcumin, known for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to beautify the skin. Haldi’s antioxidant properties also contribute to calming the nerves and lessening wedding anxiety.
The Haldi ceremony in Madhya Pradesh weddings is not just a ritual but a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Madhya Pradesh. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in the bride and groom's lives. After the mother applies the haldi, married women sing and apply turmeric paste, symbolising a happy marriage like theirs for the bride and groom. Many families believe the Haldi ceremony protects the bride and the groom from evil eyes and clears the air of negativity. Sometimes, in a Haldi function, pretty red thread amulets with golden beads are given to the guests to help ward off the evil eye, further emphasising the cultural beliefs and practices associated with the ceremony.
Fashioning Tradition
For the Haldi ceremony, the bride usually wears a bright yellow lehenga choli with a scarf-like dupatta called odhani or lugra. Some brides also like to wear a cotton or silk Chanderi or Maheshwari saree with intricate motifs and embroidery. With new trends and fashion continuing to evolve, several brides are dressing in beautiful and comfortable salwar kameez, reflecting the changing preferences and styles in the Haldi ceremony.
On the other hand, most grooms wear the traditional kurta with a dhoti. A white cotton dhoti with a yellow-coloured long shirt or kurta is preferred in summer. During winter, the groom may wear a traditional waistcoat called a Bandi. Several designer outfits are available for the bride and groom at their Haldi ceremony. Designers are integrating pinks, greens, and gold into the haldi yellow. In the end, what matters is that the outfit of the bride and groom complement one another.
Jewellery & Accessories
With close to forty-six tribes prevalent in Madhya Pradesh, the jewellery is different and distinctive from one region to another. While some brides prefer light-weight gold jewellery, several tribal brides wear heavy Kathir or silver ornaments for their Haldi ceremony. These days, there is also a significant demand for floral jewellery. For Haldi jewellery, some brides prefer fresh flowers, vines, and leaves, representing nature and growth.
There is also a wide selection of gorgeous garlands, mangtikkas (forehead jewellery), earrings, and bracelets made from cloth or foam. Bright yellow floral sets are getting more popular as brides and grooms prefer not to stain their gold or silver jewellery.
On the other hand, most grooms on their Haldi function wear little or no jewellery. A silver or gold Kada and a chain may be sufficient. Sometimes, the groom wears a similar flower garland and wrist bracelets to complement the bride’s look.
Image Credits
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