17 Kashmiri Wedding Rituals that make it a magical experience!

Kashmiri weddings, without a doubt, are very intriguing and unique. And what makes them so unique and special?

It is as much crazy, fun, bound with time-honoured traditions as any other wedding. Amidst the imperishable nature, Kashmiri weddings are truly a celebration of its rich culture and traditions.

As they say, “Kashmir is heaven on earth” and the wedding in Kashmir are more like a match in heaven!

1. It all starts with Manzimyor

Manzimyor is a Kashmiri word for matchmaker. The family hires a Manzimyor to find suitable profiles of guys/girls. The matchmaker shares the suitable profiles of the eligible brides/grooms with the family in a process called Parche Traavum.

2. Thap traavun – An official yes for the wedding

After matching the horoscopes and meeting the respective sides, the family then officially announces the wedding. The groom’s family adorns the bride with a lot of gold jewellery and “Poend” – King Edward stamped coins.

3. Nishayn – Engagement

After Thap Traavun, both the family arranges a grand ceremony called Nishayn or engagement. It is mostly organized by the bride’s family, all the close family members and friends are invited. The ceremony is followed by a lavish feast called “Wazwan”.

4. Then comes Saatnaam

After the Nishayn ceremony the family finalizes and officially announces the wedding dates to the family and friends. Saatnaam, too is a grand celebration with folk dance and lavish feast.

5. Malmaenz – Haldi

Malmaenz, also known as maun or haldi. The families start off the main wedding ceremonies with malmaenz. Elder women in families oil the bride’s hair and applies haldi to the bride.

6. Maenzraat – Mehendi

In Kashmiri tradition, the night before the wedding is Maenzraat, where the women in family apply mehendi or henna on the bride’s hands and feet.

7. Ab Shehrun – Special bridal bath and Namaz

In  the morning of the wedding day, the bride takes a bath to cleanse herself for the new beginnings. She is mostly accompanied by her mother or sisters. After the bath, the bride wears their traditional outfit called Pehran and offers two rakath.

8. Nikah Khwaani

Image Source: Stories by Joseph Radhik

The Nikah in Kashmiri tradition is the most modest one. The priest recites holy verses of Quran and prays for the happiness of the bride and groom.

9. The feast – Yini Wol

Post the wedding, the families, friends, neighbours gather together for lunch and bless the couple.

10. Mehraaz Saal

In the evening, the groom and the baratis are given a royal treatment where they are served food in beautiful copper plates. And the groom is given an extravagant seat made of silk carpets.

11. Ruksati

After the dinner, the bride finally bids goodbye to her family and embarks on a new journey of life with her husband.

12. Muhar Tullun

The groom’s mother welcomes the bride to her new house and family and lifts the veil from her face. Family members and relatives give precious gifts to the bride and women sing traditional wedding songs.

13.  Walima – the grand reception

Walima is a grand reception followed by a feast held by the groom’s family where they invite their friends, family members and their community.

14. Khabri Gasun

After a few days of the wedding, the bride’s relatives except her parents visit the groom’s house to bless them and give gifts to them, mostly cash.

15. Phiri Saal

After the wedding, the bride’s family invites both the bride and the groom for dinner and treat them with the utmost love and honour.

16. Satim Doh

For seven days after the wedding, the bride wears seven different colours for seven days and does no household chores. After the seventh day, the bride’s parents are invited to the groom’s place for dinner and the day is called “Satim Doh”. After which the bride goes to her parent’s house for a few days.

17. Phirraa Khaber

After the bride returns from to her in-law’s house, their relatives come to visit them to make sure she is doing well.