Indian wedding glossary · After the wedding
What is Dwar rokai?
Also written: Dwar rukai, darwaza rokna, द्वार रुकाई
Dwar rokai is the playful custom in many North Indian families where the groom's sisters stand at the door of his home and ask for a gift before letting the newly married couple in.
- Who keeps it
- Many Hindu families in UP, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab.
- When
- When the couple arrive at the groom's home, just before griha pravesh.
About Dwar rokai
What should you know about Dwar rokai?
The sisters bargain with their brother, and the bride often enjoys watching him negotiate. Once the neg is agreed, they let the couple through for the griha pravesh.
It is a fun counterpart to the joota chupai at the bride's home. Some families sing teasing songs during it, and the bargaining can go on for a while before the couple get in.
In the order of functions
Where does Dwar rokai come in an Indian wedding?
When the couple arrive at the groom's home, just before griha pravesh.
- 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 Dwar rokai?
Not printed; it is a family custom on the day.
Related words
Words that go with Dwar rokai
- 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.
- Neg
Neg is the customary gift or money given to relatives for their role in a wedding ritual, such as the groom's sisters at the sehra bandi or the bride's sisters at joota chupai.
- Joota chupai
Joota chupai is the playful custom where the bride's sisters and cousins hide the groom's shoes during the wedding and ask for money or gifts to return them.
- Kangana
Kangana is the sacred thread with small charms tied on the wrists of the bride and groom before the wedding, which they later untie for each other in a playful game.
- Mooh dikhai
Mooh dikhai, meaning showing the face, is the custom where the women of the groom's family and neighbourhood meet the new bride, see her face and give her gifts or money.
Questions
Dwar rokai, answered
What is Dwar rokai?
Dwar rokai is the playful custom in many North Indian families where the groom's sisters stand at the door of his home and ask for a gift before letting the newly married couple in.
Which families celebrate Dwar rokai?
Many Hindu families in UP, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab.
When does Dwar rokai happen in the order of wedding functions?
When the couple arrive at the groom's home, just before griha pravesh.
What do families write on the invitation for Dwar rokai?
Not printed; it is a family custom on the day.
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