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Gaye Holud
The Gaye Holud or gatro horidra is a fun and vibrant ceremony, similar to the Haldi ceremony in North Indian weddings. It is not a religious ceremony and is celebrated by Hindus and Muslims in West Bengal, and neighbouring states of Tripura and Assam as well. One day before the wedding, seven or nine married women make turmeric powder by grinding turmeric sticks with a mortar and pestle. The woman holding the pestle is Ayo, and the rest of the women hold hands while she grinds the powder. The powder is mixed with sandalwood, milk, oils, and other holy ingredients to make a Haldi paste called Holud Kota. They also grind rice to make Dhan Kota, or rice powder. Traditionally, the women are required to chew on betel leaf or betel nuts so that they remain quiet and ensure that no spit falls into the paste. This is followed by the Holud Kota ceremony, which is the Haldi ceremony for the groom. His family members apply turmeric paste to his face and body. The turmeric paste is believed to exfoliate and brighten the skin as well as bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. After the ceremony is over, the same turmeric paste is sent to the bride’s home for the Gaye Holud ceremony along with the wedding Tatto. The Tatto is a collection of gifts arranged in decorative trays sent by the groom’s family to the bride. These gifts include sarees, jewellery, accessories, sweets, and fish. Some communities dress up the fish as a bride and groom. The groom’s friends and family spend the days before the Holud Kota decorating these gift trays. Here, it is applied to her face and arms by the women in her family, and then she is bathed in holy Ganga water. The washing off of the turmeric paste is believed to rid her of all negativity. On the same evening as the Holud Kota and Gaye Holud, the women of the bride’s family perform the Ganga Nimontron. Here, they go to the river Ganga to invite the river goddess to the wedding and offer her trays of bananas, betel leaves, nuts, and sindoor. If the family cannot go to Ganga, they go to the nearest lake, river, or water reservoir. Some families also invite a banana tree in a ritual called the Kola Gach Nimontron. An unbloomed plantain leaf is taken for the tree and later used in the wedding rituals.
Cultural Significance
The Gaye Holud ceremony in Bengali wedding is a celebration of love and blessings. Turmeric plays an important role here and is considered to have many cosmetic and spiritual benefits. The bright yellow colour of turmeric represents vitality, and applying it to the couple is believed to purify and cleanse them. By washing off the turmeric with holy water, they are warding off evil spirits and ensuring their well-being in married life. Turmeric also has anti-inflammatory and brightening properties that will make their skin glow from within—just in time for their big day.
The giving of gifts between the bride and groom’s family is also a meaningful gesture. It helps them show their love and acceptance of the bride into their family and is meant to make her feel welcome. Overall, the Gaye Holud ceremony brings the couple’s loved ones together and surrounds them with love and good wishes.
Fashioning Tradition
The bride typically wears a traditional Bengali saree, often in shades of yellow or orange. The saree can be a simple cotton saree or an embroidered silk saree with brocade, sequins, or zari work. She may also wear a gorgeous anarkali set or elegant lehenga set for a showstopping look.
For the contemporary bride, a skirt set, sharara set, or pant set with yellow leheriya designs might be perfect. The groom also dresses in traditional attire, usually a dhoti and kurta as white, cream, or beige.
Jewellery & Accessories
Jewellery for the Gaye Holud ceremony is minimal but youthful. A classic choice is to pair traditional gold earrings with a statement gold necklace encrusted with small pearls or beads. For bangles, a mix of thin gold bangles and colorful yellow or orange lac bangles complement the yellow outfit perfectly. A delicate maang tikka or matha patti is another way to add a touch of traditional charm to the look.
Image Credits
Memories Designer | Picxy | Focuz Studioz | The Statesman | Wedding Sutra | Facebook | Eyeem | Dreams Time | Wedding Wire | Shaadi Fever