Indian wedding glossary · Wedding day rituals
What is Gathbandhan?
Also written: Gath bandhan, knot-tying, गठबंधन
Gathbandhan is the tying of a knot between the end of the bride's chunni or saree and the groom's scarf, joining them for the pheras.
- Who keeps it
- Hindu families across North and Central India.
- When
- Before the pheras, after the kanyadaan.
About Gathbandhan
What should you know about Gathbandhan?
The priest or the groom's sister ties the knot, often around a coin, rice, flowers and a betel nut, wishes for prosperity and togetherness. The couple keep it tied through the pheras and often when they enter their new home.
Gathbandhan is also an everyday word in Hindi for any strong alliance, because of this ritual. In some families the knot stays tied until the couple reach the groom's home and is untied there after the griha pravesh.
In the order of functions
Where does Gathbandhan come in an Indian wedding?
Before the pheras, after the kanyadaan.
- 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 Gathbandhan?
Rarely printed; it happens in the mandap just before the pheras.
Related words
Words that go with Gathbandhan
- Pheras
Pheras are the rounds the bride and groom take around the sacred fire, tied together, with a vow made in each round; in most North Indian weddings there are seven.
- Kanyadaan
Kanyadaan is the ritual where the bride's parents place her hand in the groom's hand, asking him to care for her as an equal partner, while the priest chants mantras.
- Hasta milap
Hasta milap is the joining of the bride's and groom's hands during the wedding rites; panigrahan, its Sanskrit name, means taking the hand.
- 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.
- Saptapadi
Saptapadi means seven steps: the bride and groom take seven steps together near the sacred fire, each step with a promise, and in many traditions this is the rite that completes the marriage.
Questions
Gathbandhan, answered
What is Gathbandhan?
Gathbandhan is the tying of a knot between the end of the bride's chunni or saree and the groom's scarf, joining them for the pheras.
Which families celebrate Gathbandhan?
Hindu families across North and Central India.
When does Gathbandhan happen in the order of wedding functions?
Before the pheras, after the kanyadaan.
What do families write on the invitation for Gathbandhan?
Rarely printed; it happens in the mandap just before the pheras.
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