Baraat, also known as Varayatra, is a groom's wedding procession among Indian Hindu communities in the Indian subcontinent.
In the previous eras, the groom used to travel on a mare, or even elephants, though now often travel on vintage car.
Pahari, probably Mandi, circa 1840.]]
The baraat, headed by a display of fireworks and accompanied by the rhythm of the dhol, reaches the meeting point, where the elders of both the families meet. In north Indian Hindu weddings, the groom is greeted with garlands, Tilaka and aarti.
Etymology
The word
Baraat is derived from
Sanskrit word
Varayātrā (वरयात्रा) literally meaning groom's procession. In Bengali, the baraat is usually referred to as "
Borjatri" (বরযাত্রী) when the groom along with his family members, friends and closest relatives leave for the bride's home which is the venue of the marriage.
Dogra Baraat
In
Dogras tradition, baraat is organized with great pomp and show. It is also known as
Janjh in
Dogri language. When the groom gets ready, he is adorned with Sehra by his maternal uncle. This is known as
Sehrabandhi. After this,
Ghodi-chadha takes place where groom rides the horse with sword in his hand. The horse is offered fodder and
chana daal. The sisters of groom adorn groom with necklaces of gold or silver or even currency notes. Dogri folk songs called
ghodia are sung.
And sisters in law apply kajal on groom's eyes.
Dhol and musical instruments are played and the family members and friends of groom dance in joy. The baraat halts temporarily at local
Mandir for
darshan. This ceremony is called
Dev Karaj. In older times, when baraat used to travel long distances, then women of household used to stay at home. They would celebrate the marriage by performing
Jagarna dance. When the baraat reaches wedding venue, fireworks are displayed. The groom is welcomed by his mother in law by applying tilak & aarti and offering him sweets and Dogra dish
Suchi. After this, the ceremony of
Milini takes place. Relatives of both the groom and bride meet and exchange gifts. Ladies from the bride's side may then sing a special song called
sidnya (humorous song). After the completion of wedding rituals, the groom typically will bring the bride to his home.
Kauravi Baraat
The Kuru region comprises parts of Western Uttar Pradesh,
Delhi, parts of
Haryana and Lower
Uttarakhand; where
Kauravi dialect is spoken. The region has its distinct culture and nuptial traditions.
In this region, Baraat consists of traditions like Ghudchadhi, Mandir darshan, Janvāsā etc. Ghudchadhi is the ceremony where bridegroom rides over the horse. The procession of family members and friends then proceeds to a Mandir to seek blessings. After that baraat reaching the wedding venue is welcomed and rest marriage ceremonies are completed. The bridegroom then brings bride from Janvāsā to his home.
Marathi Varaat
In
Marathi people tradition, bridegroom's procession is called
'Varaat' and is accompanied by family members and relatives. After completion of wedding customs, the bride and groom carry the silver image of
Goddess Gauri which the bride had worshipped during
Gaurihar Puja (custom performed before the beginning of wedding).
Kumaoni Baraat
In
Kumaon division of
Uttarakhand,
Baraat is associated with special nupital songs called
Phaag which are initiated by a priestess. The procession is a accompanied with band which plays instruments like
dhol &
dammu.
On arrival at wedding venue, the groom is welcomed by bride's family by applying
tilak, performing
aarti. This ceremony is known as
Dulighray.
Odia Baraat or Barjaatri or Varanugaman
In
Odia language, Baraat is also called
Barjaatri or
Varanugaman where
Bar (Var) means groom,
jaatra (yaatra) means procession/journey and
anugaman means arrival. In this ceremonial procession the groom and his family members and friends arrive at the wedding
mandap amid great pomp and magnificence. Aarti and
Tilaka of groom is performed and he is also offered curd mixed with honey or jaggery.
Bengali Boraat or Borjatri
In
Bengali Hindus tradition,
Bor Jatri is basically the
baraat, where the groom, his family and friends dress up for the wedding and start their journey to the bride’s house or the wedding venue. After the
bor jatri or the
baraat reaches the bride’s place, the bride’s mother along with other family members welcome the groom by blowing
shankhs (conch shells) and his side of the family by doing
aarti with the holy lamp and serving the sweets and drinks.
Punjabi Baraat
Both men and women participate in the procession of a
Punjabi people baraat (also known as
jaññ). Close male relatives of both the bride and groom always wear turbans, which indicates honor. When the
baraat arrives at the wedding venue, a ceremony known as the (literally,
meeting or
merger) is carried out, in which equivalent relatives from the groom and bride's sides greet each other.
Rajput Baraat
The bridegroom is usually dressed in a gold
achkan, with an orange
turban and a
churidar or
jodhpurs with
. The baraat members also must wear
or
with jodhpurs and safas (colorful turbans). The procession to the bride's house looks rather regal as there is absolutely no dancing on the streets by the baraatis. In fact, all members, including the groom who rides an elephant or a female horse, carry swords. The horse is important for Rajputs.
Gujarati Baraat or Varghodo
In a Gujarati wedding, the groom arrives at the bride's house on a horse and is followed by a dancing procession led by his family members and friends is called
Varghodo or
Jaan. They are also accompanied by a group of band members playing instrumental music.
The groom, in reverence, touches feet of mother-in-law. A playful ritual where mother in law grabs nose of groom is performed which is a reminder to groom that mother-in-law is giving her beloved and precious daughter to him, so he should be humble and grateful.
Nepali-Sikkimese Baraat or Janti
In
Nepal and
Sikkim state of India,
Baraat is also known by the name
Janti & Baryatra. Janti or
Baryatra is the groom's wedding procession which goes from his house to the bride's to bring her to his house. The
Janti consisting of the groom's family members, relatives and friends, sets out for the bride's home. It is accompanied by a musical band, indulges in dance and merrymaking all along the way.
Telugu Edurukolu
In
Telugus weddings,
Edurukolu ceremony is the equivalent of Baraat ceremony. In
Edurukolu ceremony, the groom's procession is grandly welcomed by the bride's party amidst traditional music of
'Nadaswaram'/'Sannai Melam'. The groom and his parents are specially welcomed by the bride's parents when the bride's mother applies '
Kumkuma' on the groom's and his mother's forehead followed by '
Aarati' (waving the plate with burning camphor) to the groom.
Kannada/Tulu Dibbana
The wedding processions in
Kannada people &
Tuluva tradition are referred to as
Dibbana.
The start of
Dibbana procession is preceded by
Vāhana Pujā where prayer is performed using
kumkum & coconut for safe journey of the groom. The groom and his family members and friends adorn
Peta (Mysore cap). Musicians play instruments like
nadaswaram. On arrival at marriage venue, groom is welcomed using
Akshat (rice) and
Aarti.
Tamil Janavasam
The groom's procession in Tamil tradition is known by the name
Janavasam. During
Janavasam, the groom boards a beautifully decorated car. He is accompanied by a large marriage procession of close friends and relatives. Professional musicians are invited to entertain the procession, by playing traditional wedding songs. Fireworks form a part of the marriage celebrations. The bride's brother puts garland around the groom's neck, in order to welcome him at the entrance of the
kalyana mandapam (wedding hall).
Rajasthani Baraat
Baarat on camels is a traditional feature of wedding processions in
Rajasthan, India.
have been an integral part of Rajasthani culture for centuries, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of wealth and status.
In a typical Rajasthani wedding, the groom arrives at the bride’s home or the wedding venue on camel itself or a cart pulled by a
camel decorated with fabrics and embroidery. The groom, dressed in traditional attire, often wears a
turban and carries a ceremonial sword.
The baarat is accompanied by a lively procession of family members, friends, and musicians. Traditional Rajasthani folk music and dance, including the Ghoomar dance, are performed to celebrate the joyous event.
Controversies
Being a tradition of affluence practiced by
Forward caste communities, violence against
Dalit communities who choose to practice it have increased.
Brides have begun riding horses, a tradition restricted to grooms in the past.
Calls for horse-free weddings in light of cruelty towards the horses and other animals involved have been garnering increased attention,
PETA India launched a campaign urging against the involvement of horses in wedding ceremonies while highlighting the use of spiked bits that are prohibited under Rule 8 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965. Malnourishment and cruelty in terms of exposure to loud noises and crowds were also highlighted.
The Indian organization People for Animals that horses are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain and has promoted alternatives such as the traditions of using palanquins.
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