Wedding traditions of Lucknow

A wedding here

A Shia or Sunni Muslim wedding often begins with a mehndi and a manjha, then the nikah in a hall or at home, followed by the rukhsati, the departure of the bride. Hindu families hold tilak, haldi and the pheras, with the baraat arriving with a brass band late in the evening.

Where weddings happen

Marriage halls, hotels and old havelis in the city host big weddings. Many families still cook parts of the feast at home or by hired cooks known for their dum biryani and kebabs.

The season and the calendar

Winter is the busiest season for Hindu weddings. Muslim families avoid the months of Muharram and Safar for celebrations, and often marry in the months after, so the calendar follows the Islamic year and shifts every year.

Wedding customs of Lucknow

MehndiThe henna evening before the wedding.BaraatThe groom's procession.

Also part of it, and being written: Nikah (The Islamic marriage contract.), Mahr (The gift owed to the bride and agreed in the contract.), Walima (The feast hosted by the groom's family after the wedding.), Chikankari (Fine white embroidery often worn by brides and guests.).

Communities and their weddings in Lucknow

• Shia Muslim Weddings often avoid Muharram and keep refined Awadhi rites.
• Sunni Muslim The nikah and walima follow standard Islamic form with local customs.
• Kayastha and Brahmin Hindu rites with the tilak, vivah and kohbar rites.

A wedding trail idea for Lucknow

1. Aminabad A crowded bazaar for wedding clothes, trousseau and gifts.
2. Chowk The old city, with attar sellers, chikan shops and jewellers.
3. Hazratganj The central shopping district for modern wedding wear.
4. Old havelis and imambaras Heritage buildings that are sometimes hired for functions.