Indian wedding glossary · Before the wedding
What is Ashirbad?
Also written: Aashirwad, আশীর্বাদ
Ashirbad is the Bengali blessing ceremony where elders of the groom's family bless the bride, and elders of the bride's family bless the groom, with paddy and durba grass.
- Who keeps it
- Bengali Hindu families.
- When
- A few days to a few weeks before the wedding, after paka dekha.
About Ashirbad
What should you know about Ashirbad?
The elders place dhaan (unhusked rice) and durba grass on the head of the bride or groom and give gifts, often gold jewellery. Each side visits the other's home on the same day or on different days.
It is one of the first rituals that marks the bride and groom as part of each other's families.
In the order of functions
Where does Ashirbad come in an Indian wedding?
A few days to a few weeks before the wedding, after paka dekha.
- Before the weddingFixing the match, the engagement, the date and the card.
- The functionsPujas, haldi, mehndi, sangeet and the family days before the wedding.
- Wedding day ritualsFrom the baraat to the pheras, nikah and anand karaj.
- After the weddingVidaai, the new home, the reception and the first visits.
Planning your own days? The free wedding function order planner puts your functions in a sensible order with dates.
On the card
What do families write on the invitation for Ashirbad?
Ashirbad of our daughter Riya by Arjun's family, Friday, 6 February, 11 am.
Related words
Words that go with Ashirbad
- Paka dekha
Paka dekha is the Bengali ceremony where both families formally confirm the match and fix the wedding date, usually in the presence of a priest.
- Aiburobhat
Aiburobhat is the Bengali custom of a final feast for the bride or groom as an unmarried person, cooked by the family with their favourite dishes.
- Gaye holud
Gaye holud is the Bengali turmeric ceremony, where the paste is first applied to the groom at his home and the same turmeric is sent to the bride's home for her ceremony.
- Dodhi mangal
Dodhi mangal is the Bengali wedding-morning ritual where the bride and groom eat curd and flattened rice before sunrise, the last food before they fast until the wedding.
- Saat paak
Saat paak is the Bengali ritual where the bride, seated on a low wooden seat (pidi) lifted by her brothers, is carried around the groom seven times with her face hidden behind betel leaves.
Questions
Ashirbad, answered
What is Ashirbad?
Ashirbad is the Bengali blessing ceremony where elders of the groom's family bless the bride, and elders of the bride's family bless the groom, with paddy and durba grass.
Which families celebrate Ashirbad?
Bengali Hindu families.
When does Ashirbad happen in the order of wedding functions?
A few days to a few weeks before the wedding, after paka dekha.
What do families write on the invitation for Ashirbad?
Ashirbad of our daughter Riya by Arjun's family, Friday, 6 February, 11 am.
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