Haldi, Carnival & Lunch
Dec 7
2022
Gulbadan Gardens
ITC Mughal
Agra, India
Please join us by the Spa Pool for a welcome lunch along with some music.
Mehndi is a temporary natural dye used as an adornment by women, and is often associated with special celebrations such as Weddings, Diwali, etc.
Beautiful, intricate patterns of mehndi are applied to the bride's hands and feet a day or two before the wedding. The groom's name/initials will also be hidden somewhere for him to find! (shhhh - don't tell him if any of you find it before he does).
Mehndi stations will be set up for anyone who would like to share this experience.
We will also have Nail Art stations if you wish to compliment your Mehndi with artistic nails!
We will also have Bhaat or Mosalu at this time.
In this ceremony, both bride and groom's Mom will welcome their Maternal Uncles ("Mamas") respectively to the wedding. Each "Mama" spoils the mother and her family with gifts, and showers her with their blessings.
Join us for to celebrate the upcoming wedding with some Dance and Cocktails.
Sangeet is observed during the evening a day or two prior to the wedding. Both the bride’s and the groom’s families come together to perform dance routines and songs. The ritual presents an informal setting for the two families to get to know each other well.
Please bring your dancing shoes and join us :)
Before the Sangeet, we will have the Tilak ceremony for Sagar. The groom-to-be is offered Tilak and "Roli" (Holi red powder) is applied to his forehead to ensure he will be a loving husband and father. The exchange of gifts and the application of tilak at this ceremony symbolize the bride's father's acceptance of the groom into his family.
This will be followed by God Bharai for Anuja. It's a similar ceremony as the Tilak but just for the bride-to-be.
Join us early on the wedding morning to help prep the Bride & Groom with a pre-wedding facial. This is followed by traditional music and lunch.
Haldi ceremony gives the bride & groom a pre-wedding glow up on the morning of the big day. Family and friends apply a paste of milk, oil, and turmeric to the bride's and groom's faces and bodies. Often, this ceremony gets a little crazy and fun. Friends and siblings take the opportunity to get the bride and groom reallll messy!
P.S. In Gujrati culture, it is customary to "slap" the Groom, this may be your chance to get back at Sagar for all the years of torture!
Once Anuja gets all cleaned up, she will sit down her Maternal Aunt's ("Mami") for Gharva. Remember Bhaat from Day 1? Well, this is where Anuja's mother's family adorns her with gifts and blesses her for her new journey.
We will have some speeches from our families + games for the bride and groom. Since it is a carnival, we'll also have some activities for our guests. Please join us for the fun!
Join us in the Parking Lot of the hotel to commence Sagar's symbolic journey to Anuja's house on the horse.
The event will start with Korath where male elders from the bride's family visit the groom's house, accompanied by their priest, to invite them to the wedding. This is also the time where the Sehra aka Turban is tied onto the Groom's head (hence the name Sehrabandhi - Tying of the Turban). Please get to the venue on time if you want a Sehra as well.
Baraat is the wedding procession from the groom's house to the bride's. The groom will arrive on a horse. His relatives will walk with him while dancing to live music and a band. The bride's mother and sister will then welcome the groom's family at the entrance.
Join us for a fun and traditions-filled evening where we get married and then celebrate with you till our hearts (read: feet) permit.
After the welcome is the Jaimala ceremony (Garland) When the bride and the groom exchange Jaimalas, it symbolizes acceptance of each other as life partners. This tradition has been practiced since the era of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
This shall be followed by a traditional Hindu Wedding ceremony. Although the ceremony will be in Sanksrit and Hindi: Anuja's brother has graciously offered to give an English play by play for all those interested in learning about the various rituals.
The wedding rituals start with groom and the parents of the bride performing Ganesh Puja (Ganesh is the lord of removing all obstacles) for a smooth wedding and to bring prosperity to a person's life. Next is the Kanyadaan - this is a symbolic marriage ritual for the Bride's parents and the couple. The Father of the Bride take's his daughters right hand and places it in the Groom's right hand, requesting for him to accept his daughter as his equal partner.
This is followed by the Mangal Phera (circles) where the couple takes rounds around the holy fire. With each round, the would-be couple takes a solemn marriage vow which they are expected to fulfill for the rest of their lives. They signify the union of awareness of 'dharma' or just conduct, 'artha' or prosperity, 'kama' or earthly love and 'moksha' or release from all sorts of human attachments.
Formal (Requested: Indian for the Ladies and Black Tie for the Gents). Don't be shy as you will never be over dressed for an Indian Wedding :)
Color Palette: Think royal, regal, and striking. Think more reds, purples and burgundy's.
Traditional Outfit Ideas (Women): Lehenga, Sarees
Traditional Outfit Ideas (Men): Achkan