Satya Narayan Katha: It is the starting point of a Bihari wedding. This Katha is mainly organised by the bride’s parents. The pooja or the prayer service is elaborative over here, and the relatives and friends from the groom’s side will take an active part in it. The priest will be the one narrating the Katha, and then a haven takes place. This haven remains lit throughout the entire wedding.
Cheka: This is the official engagement that will mostly take place in the bride’s house. But, if you want, you can book a hotel in Rajgir near Railway Station like Gargee Gautam Vihar Resort for hosting this ceremony. Over here, ring exchange takes place. The groom’s family will visit the place with lots of gifts, like clothes, jewellery, dry fruits and more. The next day, it is time for the bride’s family to visit the groom’s house with shaguns.
Haldi Kutai:This is the main Haldi ceremony before the start of the wedding. All the married women will apply turmeric paste on the groom and then send the remaining paste to the bride’s house. Then that haldi is applied to the bride.
Tilak:Here, the bride’s brother will visit the groom’s house with a Tilak Thaal. This is a sign that the bride’s family is accepting the alliance. Then the broker will apply tilak on the groom’s forehead and later present him with gifts. He will also present the groom’s marriage sherwani that he will be wearing at the wedding. The groom’s family will offer bridal clothes, Mang Tikka and gold Nath for the bride.
Haldi Ritual:Here, the groom’s family members will apply a paste made by the bride’s mom, while the bride’s family will use the one made by the groom’s mother. This ritual is for married ladies.
Matripooja:Here, parents from both sides will actively take part in this ritual. Here, they will be seeking blessings from departed ancestors and elders of the family to bless the new couple. On this day, both the families will offer clothes or money to ask for forgiveness from their ancestors. Paunpooji is mainly offered to the elders in the families.
Imli Ghutai: This ceremony takes place to ward off the evil eye. Here, the groom’s maternal uncle or mother will give him advice on ways to prevent vice land habits. Here, the groom will be given betel nut, and he has to hold that between his teeth. Later, the mother eats that nut.
Paricchavan Ritual: On this particular day, the groom’s mother will perform the Aarti. This entire ritual takes place before the Baratis leave for the main wedding. During this time, the mother applies tilak on the groom’s forehead and prays for a trouble-free wedding and a happy married life.
Baraat Prasthaan: This is the time for the entire groom’s family, along with the groom to leave for the wedding. The car to carry the groom will be fully decorated with flowers. The groom and his younger brother will leave first and then be followed by the rest of the family. Once the Baratis reach the wedding venue, the bride’s family will be there to welcome them.
Jaimalaand Galsedi: It is that time when the bride and groom exchange garlands to show their bond of togetherness. It takes place at the main mandap. After exchanging garlands, the Galsedi ritual takes place by the mother of the bride and other married women. Here, the women will heat up betel leaves in the lamp and burn them to ashes. Then that ash gets smeared on the groom’s face. Then cow dung will be thrown behind the groom.
Kangnabandhana and Kanyadaan: Here, the priest will tie the bracelets on the couple’s right hands. The bracelet is made using cotton thread, turmeric, money, colourful rice and mango leaves. A barber is there to cut the toenails and fingernails at the mandap. Later, the Kanyadaan takes place where the bride’s parents give her to the man!
Kuldevta Puja & Pheras: Later, the couple will visit the family deity at the altar and ask for her blessings before starting a new life. Then they will take pheras around the sacred fire. During that time, roasted rice husk will be thrown in the fire.
Mooh Dikhai & Chauthari: During this time, the bride will push the plate with her right foot and then step on the Alta plate. Later, she places her feet in the cane baskets. During the Mooh Dikhai period, the bride will be presented with money, pair of gold bangles and some other gifts from the in-laws. When the Mooh Dikhai is done, A Satyanarayan Puja will be hosted for thanking the Almighty for a successful wedding. This Puja is also called Chauthari.
Chauka Cchulai Ritual: This is the last part of the Bihari wedding ceremony, where the new bride will be handed the keys of the household. It actually marks transferring the responsibility to the new member of the family by the mother-in-law. Then the bride has to cook five different meals to feed the entire family. When that meal is over, it is time for the elders to shower the newly wedded bride with gifts.