The Customs and Rituals of an Assamese Wedding Celebration
From planning the functions to understanding each mesmerising tradition, find everything you need to know about an Assamese wedding here.
If you hail from Assam and wonder what happens in an Assamese wedding, you’re at the right place. Today, we are taking you through an ultimate guide that details every ceremony. Not only will it help you better understand your traditions, but it’ll also be helpful when you have to plan your Assamese wedding.
In this article:
1. Assamese Pre-wedding Ceremonies
2. Assamese Wedding Day Rituals
3. Post-wedding Assamese Rituals
Like every wedding ceremony, the rituals of the Assamese weddings are deeply rooted in the culture. Celebrating the beautiful colours of an Assamese wedding, there are multiple ceremonies before and after the wedding. We have explained each pre & post-wedding ceremonies that surround an Assamese wedding celebration.
Assamese Pre-wedding Ceremonies
Juran Diya
This function takes place two days before the wedding. The groom’s mother and all the female members of her family visit the bride's house. In this ceremony, the groom’s mother gifts the bride a Pan and Tamul (betel leaves and nuts) and a Gamusa (a traditional Assamese cloth primarily white with red thread embroidery). The bride takes the gifts given by her would-be mother-in-law to the wedding pandal.
Tel Diya
The custom of Tel Diya follows the Juran ceremony. The groom’s mother puts betel leaves and nuts on the bride’s forehead and bathes her with oil two days before the wedding day. Then, the groom’s mother puts the Sindoor on the bride’s forehead. After the Juran and Tel Diya ceremonies, the groom’s mother gifts the bride a beautiful wedding trousseau that includes a suitcase filled with Mekhela Chador, sarees, some utensils, jewellery, and so on.
Assamese Wedding Day Rituals
On the day of the wedding, some rituals start early and continue until the wedding ceremony, during which the bride and groom sit around the holy fire of Havan. These ceremonies are initiated mainly by the family elders.
Pani Tula
During Pani Tula, the groom’s mother and the bride's mother go to a nearby water body for a ceremonial bath. They are accompanied by other female relatives who sing traditional wedding songs during this ceremony. Both the mothers carry a coin and a knife during this ceremony. The coin is gifted to the couple, whereas the knife is tied to a traditional white cloth called Gamosa until the wedding ends and is kept safe with the couple.
Daiyan Diya
A bowl of sweet curd is sent to the bride's house. She eats half of it, and the other half is sent back to the groom's house for the groom to consume. This is considered lucky for the couple and spreads love.
Nuwoni
Like North Indians' Haldi ceremony, Nuwoni takes place on the morning of the wedding day. A paste of turmeric, curd and oil is prepared and applied to the groom and the bride in their respective homes. Contemporary couples have also decided to do this together in one place. All elders participate in this ceremony and shower their blessings, too.
Reception
Yes, there’s a Reception ceremony before the actual Assamese wedding. The bride dresses up and welcomes all her friends and relatives by offering them saunf. She is then taken inside for the groom to enter the venue.
Bhori Dhuwa
After the groom arrives at the venue, along with a procession of his relatives and friends dancing and celebrating his wedding day, the bride's mother and her sister welcome him with the entire bride’s side family. It starts with a traditional Aarti by the bride’s mom and feet washing by the bride's sister. The bride’s brothers escort the groom to the stage by carrying him.
Biya
The bride's brothers carry her on their shoulders to make an entry. She sits next to the groom in front of a Havan Kund. The groom walks under an umbrella held by their brothers for them. The Biya begins with a Jaimala ceremony, followed by a Kanyadaan and Saat Pheras. The relatives sing traditional songs during the Biya ceremony, called the Biya Naam and then bless the couple once all the ceremonies are over.
Post-wedding Assamese Rituals
Khel Dhemali
The couple plays fun games and competes against each other. These fun games include finding the ring in a rice bowl. It is a perfect traditional ice-breaker that the newlywed and their families enjoy thoroughly.
Maan Dhora
The couple seeks blessings from all the relatives and elders present at the wedding venue by walking up to them and are loaded with gifts they receive from everyone.
Bidaai
In this ceremony, the bride is sent off to the groom’s house. It’s an emotional moment for everyone in her family.
Ghor Gosoka
According to Assamese wedding traditions, the groom’s mother isn’t allowed to see her son get married and stays home getting ready to welcome the newlyweds. She then welcomes the couple to their home during the Ghor Gosoka ceremony.
Tips to Plan An Assamese Wedding
Assamese weddings are simple yet beautiful. It’s a two-day affair, but believe us, it requires a lot of planning. Here are a few pointers you should keep in handy while planning your wedding:
- Decide on a budget and list everything you will spend money on, including caterers, outfits, venue charges, and other miscellaneous expenses.
- Delegate responsibilities among your friends and family so the burden doesn’t fall on just you.
- Keep a checklist of everything you will require for the wedding day and put it in boxes for each ceremony.
- Be patient because no matter how hard you try, things might not work according to your plan.
- Plan for contingencies by considering the day, the weather and the venue's location.
Everything About Assamese Wedding Trousseau
Photography: Vikash Das Photography
The groom wears a traditional silk Dhoti, Kurta, and a traditional Assamese shawl around his neck. On the other hand, the bride wears Mekhela Chadar, an Assamese bridal saree. The outfits have zari embroideries and are traditionally white and red. The bride wears gold jewellery and a saree to complete her Assamese bridal look.
Both the groom and the bride have a simple overall look. Unlike the North Indian or Bengali weddings, the traditional wear colour of the Assamese weddings is white and gold, and this combination's serenity is commendable.
- With valuable inputs from Rashmi Barua & Avijit Deka.
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