Post Wedding Rituals in a Muslim Wedding
Every Indian wedding is an elaborate affair with the marriage functions going on for days together. Muslim weddings are not far behind. Though their actual wedding ceremony is a short one but they have many functions before and after the wedding with every part of the wedding equally important. We share with you the post wedding rituals of a Muslim matrimony that are celebrated in splendid grandeur just like the actual wedding ceremonies.
Post-wedding rituals in a Muslim wedding are segmented into four phases from when the bride bids goodbye to her family up to the time she is welcomed into her new family. All the ceremonies have touching moments making them special for the newlywed couple.
Rukshat Ceremony- As the name suggests, in this ceremony the bride bids a teary goodbye to her family members after the wedding rituals get over. It is an emotional ceremony as now the bride is married and is going to the groom's house for the first time. The bride's father places his daughter's hand in the hand of his son-in-law and asks him to look after the apple of his eye- to be her protector and guide in good times and in bad.
Welcoming the Bride- After the bride says bye to her family she heads to the groom's house where all the family members from the groom side are waiting eagerly for the newly married couple. As the bride enters the groom's house the groom's mother raises the Quran over her head as a blessing from the allah to protect the couple from all evils.
To make the new bride feel at home and to bring the newlyweds closer many traditional games are played at the groom's house. A mixture of water and milk is placed before the couple and a ring is kept inside it. The couple has to find the ring and the one who finds the ring first is the winner and is considered to be a dominant partner in the relationship. Later, the newlyweds are asked to untie the "ganas" (thick strings) that was tied on their wrists during the wedding ceremony. Again, whoever unties the string first is said to be the dominant partner in the relationship. No ceremony is complete without eating something sweet. Even in this ceremony the bride is fed kheer (sweet, pudding-type desert) by the groom. These small yet important customs are meant to break the ice between the couple and bring them closer.
Chauthi Ceremony- This ceremony usually takes places the day after or on the fourth day after the wedding depending on family tradition. It is a lunch or a dinner feast organized by the bride's family as she visits her house first time after the wedding. Usually the bride's brothers get the sister back home. A grand spread is laid out for the newly married couple. After a hearty meal; blessings and gifts are given to them as a token of love.
Walima Ceremony- Walima in Arabic means fest and it signifies happiness after the wedding. This is a grand and lavish reception feast hosted by the groom's family. It is also called the Dawat-e-walimah. This is a way to welcome the new bride into the family and also to make a formal announcement of the marriage to all their family and friends. The bride is decked up in her wedding finery- coy and shy as she is introduced to all the new family members. The groom looks dashing in a traditional sherwani or could also be clad in a suit. The newly married couple is given gifts by all the family members and friends during this occasion. It is after this ceremony that the two families are said to become one.
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