Sindhi is believed to be an offshoot of Hindu religion, the proof of which is seen in many of their rituals, including the holy matrimony ceremonies. In fact, the rituals often highlight a blend of Hindu and Sufi rituals. It is for this reason that the people of Sindhi community are known as Sanatani Hindus.
Let’s discuss the pre-nuptial rituals of a Sindhi wedding in detail, to understand the religious beliefs of the community.
Kachchi Misri and Pakki Misri
Often the first ritual of pre-wedding celebrations, the ceremony marks the acceptance of the bride and the groom into the families. While in Kachchi misri, the token of a coconut and misri highlight the acceptance of the couple, the pakki misri highlights a more formal acceptance, marked by an exchange of rings. The latter usually takes place on the day of engagement.
Berana Satsang and Dev bithana
Berana or satsang soon follows the ritual of pakki misri, where the Sindhi God or Jhulelal, is prayed for the couple’s matrimonial bliss. It usually marks the official onset of the wedding and usually takes place ten days before the wedding.
Dev bithana is installing of a deity of stone grinder in the bride’s and groom’s place, which further is worshipped by a priest. This ritual is also sometimes called Banwa and often takes place 5 days before marriage. From the time of Banwa to the D- day, the bride and groom are not supposed to leave their abodes.
Lada and Tih
The family members of the groom organize Lada, where women from the neighborhood are invited for some song and dance.
The Tih ceremony is also another groom’s family function, which happens on the day before the wedding. A priest, usually from the bride’s side, arrives with a set of items, to perform a puja and pay his respects to Lord Ganesha and all the planets.
Wanwas
This puja is conducted by the respective bride and groom’s families. Usually held on the day before wedding, the ritual is all about another puja, which is performed by a priest and seven married women. The married women are supposed to pour oil on the prospective bride/groom’s head.
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Mehendi and Sangeet
Almost all Indian weddings host a mehendi ceremony, where ladies wear beautiful henna designs on their hand and feet. Likewise, Sindhi pre-wedding rituals remain incomplete with an elaborate work of mehendi art on the palms and feet of the bride.
Sangeet usually happens around the mehendi ceremony, where women sing and dance and make merry.
Jenya and Saagri
While Jenya is the thread ceremony of the groom, Saagri is all about the bride. In Jenya, the priest ties a thread to the groom and whispers a guru mantra to him. However, the Saagri allows a bride to know her would-be husband’s family in a formal way. The groom’s relatives arrive with gifts for the bride and bless her for bright future.
Ghari and Navgrahi puja ceremonies
Ghari puja is usually performed at the bride’s and groom’s house respectively. This puja is also performed by a priest, with some married women grinding wheat, to highlight prosperity in household. Apart from that several other rituals are also performed by the mothers of the bride and the groom to symbolize protection and acceptance into the family.
Navgrahi puja, happening on the day of the wedding, symbolizes the welcoming of gods into the homes. A priest performs puja, worshipping Lakshmi, Ganesha, Kalash, Omkar and all the nine planets. This usually involves the maternal and paternal uncle of the bride, along with her brother.
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