… continued from Decoding the Bengali Wedding Drama #1
Sparkling after the holud treatment and decked in their wedding finery, the bride and groom sail towards the ceremony that marks the beginning of a new chapter in life. With the brideβs family responsible for the wedding function, the groom and his family head to the selected venue.
Bor Jatri & Bor Boron – The groom (and his gangβs) journey to the brideβs home/ wedding venue is the bor

Saat Paak, Shubhodristi, Mala Badal β Remember all those interesting and partially strange Bengali wedding scenes youβve seen in television serials and movies? Now is when all of that happens, sans the lighting, thunder
The groom stands near the wedding space and the bride β her eyes covered with a pair of betel leaves β is carried to him. After
And then comes the bit where the bride and groom are in danger of falling, being trampled on, losing their head accessories or the dhoti (in the groomβs case!) if either or both sides are blessed with young and enthusiastic individuals. The mala badal (garland exchange) is often a friendly competition to see who can garland with the bride and groom being lifted (a dangerous feat!) by their friends. More often than not, the mala badal competition ends with some frantic scolding by elders eager to get on with the wedding.

Sampradan, Havan, Saat Paak, Sindur Daan β Getting married is serious business and after all the fun and frolic, it is these next set of rituals that set the emotional tone. As the pandits performing the ceremony, guide the father of the bride through the sampradaan (handing over the bride), an action most Bengali families consider an honour. Youβll spot several wet eyes and tears making tracks down a few caked cheeks. The journey of the tears continues as the pandits light the havan to perform the puja β this gesture is to purify the atmosphere, pray to the god of fire and seek divine blessings at the beginning of a new relationship.

During the havan, the almost-married couple goes around the fire seven times, making seven promises to each other. And then comes the most beautiful moment of the wedding β this is when the groom fills the parting in the brideβs hair with shindoor (vermilion).
Post Wedding
Bashor jaaga β Every wedding comes with its own quirky set of rules that have been made based on stories that are today seen as folklore. A Bengali ceremony is no different! One would think that the wedding would be followed by the much-awaited wedding night. Nope! Not in the case of Bengalis. Post wedding, the married couple stay awake the entire night, surrounded by friends and cousins to ensure there is no hanky panky! The bashor jaaga is also a golden opportunity for the groomβs sisters-in-law to demand some gifts! Stand guard at the door to the room and donβt let them enter until the groom shells out some moolah!
Bashi biye & Bidai – The baashi biye (stale wedding) is a custom followed in some families. In this, the couple has a quick wedding the morning after and before the bride departs from her maternal home. A rather emotional moment for all involved, a few friends have said this to be the most nerve-wrecking part of the wedding rituals. βI was excited about the wedding and going to my new house but at that moment, during the bidai, all I could think about was leaving the secure family and household I had grown up. There is a sense of loss that is unexplainable,β said a friend.
Bou Boron β The sobbing and red-nosed bride is welcomed to her new home in a manner similar to the way her then-to-be husband was welcomed at the wedding venue. Greeted by an eager bunch of relatives and friends all eager to help and guide, I distinctly remember the panic struck expression on my cousin sister-in-lawβs expression when she stepped out of the car into a gaggle of people. Rituals of the

Kaalratri – Did I mention that the bride and groom do not get to enjoy their wedding night yet? The next night of abstinence is called kaalratri and the couple is not even supposed to be in the same room or get a glimpse of each other at this point!
Bou Bhaat & Reception – Time to officially initiate the bride into the family! And what better way to do it (apparently) than to get the bride to cook a meal and serve it to the elders of the family. Luckily for the modern-age bride, she either has to only make the payesh or just serve the elder men of the family. This is done after the bou bhaat ritual where the groom hands over food and clothes to his wife, promising to care for her, forever. A reception party is organised this night in honour of the couple.
Phul Sojja – And finally! The couple gets to spend their first night together as man & wife! Yaaaaayeeeee
Wheeeeew… that was a detailed list! Hope this was enlightening enough for you. Iβve skipped the nitty gritty of each event to keep you from reeling
Note: Photographs belong to