Zoroastrian and Parsi wedding traditions

The Zoroastrian and Parsi wedding is among the oldest surviving wedding rites in the world. It is held by a priest, in Gujarati and Avestan, with a fire, a cloth between the couple and a set of blessings. Parsi weddings in India are known for their Gujarati-style sari, the garo, and for their food.

The ashirvad and the rites

The ceremony begins with the achu michu, a welcome in which a tray is waved in front of the groom, and the exchange of garlands. In the main rite the couple sit facing each other with a cloth between them and tie their right hands with a cord wound seven times, then throw rice at each other. Two priests recite blessings, and witnesses sign. The Ashirvad is a final blessing with a prayer.

The wedding table

The Parsi wedding feast is served on banana leaves, with dishes such as patra ni machhi, salli boti and the sweet lagan nu custard. The bride wears a garo sari, with embroidery often from China, and the groom a white dagli.

Questions of community

The Parsi population is small and ageing, and marriage outside the community is debated, especially for women who marry out. Some priests and community bodies do not admit the children of Parsi women who marry outside, while others do, and this question remains one of the most discussed in the community. Iranian Zoroastrians have their own forms.