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Pag Phera
While the pre-wedding celebrations are marked with joy, music, and dance, the Pag Phera is a quiet yet meaningful ritual where the bride returns to her parental home for the first time after marriage, signifying a connection between her old and new life. It either takes place on the day after the wedding or within a few days, depending on the family’s customs and schedules. In this tradition, the newly married bride is escorted back to her parental home by her brothers or male family members. The name Pag Phera itself holds meaning – Pag refers to "foot", and Phera means "to return" or "to circle back," symbolising the bride’s return to her roots. Once she arrives at her parents’ home, she is warmly welcomed, often with traditional aarti and blessings. The bride spends a night or more at her parental home. This part of the ritual represents the idea that while the bride has started a new chapter, she is never far from the love and care of her childhood home. The next day, the groom comes to take the bride back to their marital home. In some customs, this second part of the ritual may involve the bride’s family giving symbolic gifts or blessings to the groom as a gesture of warmth and acceptance. The departure marks the final stage of the wedding journey, with the bride fully stepping into her new role as a member of her husband's family while still maintaining a strong connection to her own.
Cultural Significance
The Pag Phera ceremony holds profound cultural significance in Punjabi weddings, as it acts as a bridge between the bride’s past and future. In many ways, it represents the transition of the bride from her childhood home to her marital home, and it’s laden with emotional depth. It’s a moment when the bride and her family acknowledge the change in her life while still emphasising the importance of familial ties.
This tradition also strengthens the bond between the two families, especially between the groom and his in-laws. By welcoming the groom into their home during this ceremony, the bride’s family shows their respect and acceptance of him, reinforcing the idea that marriage is not just the union of two individuals but of two families.
Fashioning Tradition
In most regions, brides wear traditional attire such as a suit for the Pag Phera. Often, the outfit is gifted by her parents, symbolising their continuing blessings and love. The colours chosen for this occasion are usually bright but may be softer than the red or maroon typically worn during the wedding. Popular choices include shades of pink, peach, orange, and gold.
The groom typically wears a kurta-pajama, often in subtle shades like cream, beige, or pastels. The outfit, while simpler than his wedding day attire, is still crafted from rich fabrics like silk or brocade, sometimes with light embroidery.
Jewellery & Accessories
For the Pag Phera, the bride usually wears lighter yet meaningful jewellery that complements her traditional attire. One of the most prominent pieces she continues to wear is the mangalsutra, a necklace that symbolises her marital status and the sacred bond with her husband. This is typically made of black and gold beads strung together, often with a pendant that varies in design depending on the family or regional customs. Another key accessory is the chooda, a set of red and white bangles that the bride receives during her wedding rituals. Traditionally, the bride is expected to wear her chooda for a few months to a year after marriage, and it remains a constant part of her look during the Pag Phera.
The groom is seen in a simple gold or silver chain, a wristwatch, and traditional rings (sometimes given by the bride’s family).
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