Wedding traditions of Jaipur

A wedding here

In a traditional Rajput wedding the groom, wearing a sword and a turban, arrives in a procession and performs a ritual of striking or touching the gate, the toran. The women sing songs called banna and banni, and the couple make seven rounds of the fire. The bride wears a lehenga and heavy gold, often with a nath, the nose ring.

Where weddings happen

Palace hotels, forts on the hills and heritage havelis are the usual venues for destination weddings. Local families also use large garden lawns and wedding halls on the outskirts of the city.

The season and the calendar

October to March is the season, since summers are very hot. Akshaya Tritiya and Dev Uthani Ekadashi are among the days many Rajasthani families treat as lucky for a wedding without consulting a priest, and the city fills up on those dates.

Wedding customs of Jaipur

Hindu weddingThe sacred fire and the seven steps.BaraatA procession that may include a horse, a band and sometimes elephants.BandhaniThe tie-dyed cloth often worn for weddings in Rajasthan.

Also part of it, and being written: Nath (A traditional nose ring worn by the bride.), Kundan (The gem setting style for which Jaipur is known.), Akshaya Tritiya (A day treated as auspicious for weddings and for gold buying.).

Communities and their weddings in Jaipur

• Rajput A groom with a sword and a lively procession.
• Marwari Business families with a long wedding programme.
• Jain Weddings with Jain priests and sober rites.

A wedding trail idea for Jaipur

1. Johari Bazaar The old jewellery street for bridal gold, kundan and gemstones.
2. Bapu Bazaar A market for textiles and bandhani.
3. Amber Fort and City Palace Heritage venues often used for ceremonies and photographs.
4. Tripolia Bazaar A market known for lac bangles and wedding accessories.