Indian wedding glossary · After the wedding
What is Doli?
Also written: Doli uthna, डोली
A doli is the palanquin that once carried a bride from her parents' home to her new home, and "doli" is still the word for the bride's departure at vidaai.
- Who keeps it
- North Indian families.
- When
- At the vidaai, after the wedding rites.
About Doli
What should you know about Doli?
Historically, the doli was carried on the shoulders of bearers. Today the bride usually leaves in a decorated car, but families still say "doli uth gayi" when she leaves, and some weddings bring back a decorated doli for the walk to the car.
Many songs about the doli are sung at vidaai. Film songs about the doli are among the most played at North Indian weddings, and many families play one as the bride leaves.
In the order of functions
Where does Doli come in an Indian wedding?
At the vidaai, after the wedding rites.
- 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 Doli?
Rarely printed; some cards list: Doli: 6 am, Sunday, 15 February.
Related words
Words that go with Doli
- Vidaai
Vidaai is the farewell of the bride from her parents' home after the wedding, when she leaves with the groom for her new home.
- Griha pravesh
Griha pravesh is the welcome of the new bride into her husband's home, when she gently tips over a kalash of rice with her right foot at the threshold and steps inside.
- Kanakanjali
Kanakanjali is the Bengali farewell ritual where the bride, as she leaves, throws a handful of rice and coins over her shoulder into her mother's saree without looking back.
- Rukhsati
Rukhsati is the bride's departure from her parents' home after the nikah in Muslim weddings, when she leaves with the groom and his family.
- Baraat
The baraat is the groom's wedding procession from his place to the wedding venue, with family and friends dancing to a band or dhol ahead of him.
Questions
Doli, answered
What is Doli?
A doli is the palanquin that once carried a bride from her parents' home to her new home, and "doli" is still the word for the bride's departure at vidaai.
Which families celebrate Doli?
North Indian families.
When does Doli happen in the order of wedding functions?
At the vidaai, after the wedding rites.
What do families write on the invitation for Doli?
Rarely printed; some cards list: Doli: 6 am, Sunday, 15 February.
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