Indian Wedding Glossary
The words you'll hear at an Indian wedding, explained simply — across Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian and Jain traditions.
- Ahimsa
- Non-violence — a core Jain (and broader Indian) value that shapes Jain wedding customs.
- Anand Karaj
- The Sikh marriage ceremony, meaning 'blissful union', performed before the Guru Granth Sahib.Read more →
- Baraat
- The groom's festive wedding procession to the venue, traditionally on a horse.Read more →
- Chunni
- A long scarf or veil; in the Chunni Chadana the groom's family drapes one over the bride to welcome her.Read more →
- Doli
- The bride's departure after a Sikh wedding; historically the palanquin she left in.Read more →
- Gathbandhan
- The knotting together of the couple's garments before they circle the sacred fire.Read more →
- Granthi
- A Sikh who reads from and cares for the Guru Granth Sahib; often officiates the Anand Karaj.
- Griha Pravesh
- The bride's ceremonial first entry into her new marital home.Read more →
- Haldi
- Pre-wedding ritual applying turmeric paste to the couple for an auspicious glow.Read more →
- Havan
- The sacred fire ritual; offerings are made into Agni, the divine witness to the marriage.Read more →
- Ijab-o-Qubool
- The proposal and acceptance at the heart of a Nikah — mutual consent freely given.Read more →
- Jaimala
- The exchange of flower garlands by which the couple publicly accept one another.Read more →
- Kanyadaan
- The sacred 'giving away' of the daughter by her parents to the groom.Read more →
- Kara Parshad
- Blessed sweet offering shared with the congregation at the close of a Sikh ceremony.
- Laavan
- The four hymns sung during the Anand Karaj, one for each circuit around the Guru Granth Sahib.Read more →
- Mahr
- A gift or sum the groom gives the bride as her right, agreed as part of the Nikah.Read more →
- Mandap
- The canopied structure under which Hindu (and Jain) wedding rites are performed.
- Mangalsutra
- The sacred necklace the groom ties around the bride, a symbol of the marriage.Read more →
- Mehendi
- The application of intricate henna to the bride, amid music and celebration.Read more →
- Milni
- The formal meeting and greeting of the two families before the wedding.Read more →
- Muhurat
- An auspicious date and time chosen for the wedding or a specific ritual.
- Navkar Mantra
- The central Jain prayer of reverence, recited at the start of auspicious occasions.
- Nikah
- The Islamic marriage contract, centred on consent, the Mahr, and the Nikahnama.Read more →
- Nikahnama
- The written marriage contract signed by the couple and witnesses at a Nikah.Read more →
- Pheras
- The circuits the couple takes around the sacred fire, each with a vow.Read more →
- Qazi
- An Islamic judge or scholar who commonly officiates a Nikah (also an imam).
- Roce
- A Goan/Mangalorean Catholic ceremony anointing the couple with coconut milk before the wedding.Read more →
- Rukhsati
- The bride's emotional farewell as she leaves with the groom after the Nikah.Read more →
- Sangeet
- A musical celebration where both families sing and dance for the couple.Read more →
- Saptapadi
- The 'seven steps' the couple takes together, each a shared promise.Read more →
- Sindoor
- Vermilion the groom applies to the bride's hair parting, a mark of marriage.Read more →
- Tilak
- An auspicious mark applied to the forehead, often part of engagement and welcome rites.Read more →
- Vidaai
- The bride's tearful farewell as she leaves her parental home.Read more →
- Walima
- The reception feast hosted by the groom's family after a Muslim wedding.Read more →