Indian wedding glossary · Wedding day rituals
What is Ghudchadi?
Also written: Ghodi chadhna, घुड़चढ़ी
Ghudchadi is the ritual where the groom mounts a decorated mare (ghodi) before the baraat, with his sisters and sisters-in-law performing small customs around him.
- Who keeps it
- Many North Indian Hindu and Sikh families, especially Punjabi, Haryanvi, Rajasthani and UP families.
- When
- On the wedding day, right after the sehra bandi and just before the baraat sets off.
About Ghudchadi
What should you know about Ghudchadi?
In many families the groom's sister-in-law applies kajal to his eyes, his sisters feed the mare soaked chana and tie a sacred thread, and the women sing ghodi songs. A young nephew often rides with the groom as his sarbala.
Some grooms now ride in a vintage car, on an elephant or on foot, but the mare is still the most common choice in North India.
In the order of functions
Where does Ghudchadi come in an Indian wedding?
On the wedding day, right after the sehra bandi and just before the baraat sets off.
- 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 Ghudchadi?
Ghudchadi and baraat, Saturday, 14 February, 6 pm from Hotel Raj Palace.
Related words
Words that go with Ghudchadi
- 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.
- Sehra
A sehra is the veil of flowers, pearls or beads tied over the groom's turban so that it hangs across his face, put on at the sehra bandi before he leaves for the wedding.
- Safa
A safa is the tied turban worn by the groom and often by the men of both families at a wedding, especially in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Punjab.
- Milni
Milni is the Punjabi welcome where relatives with the same relation on both sides, such as the two fathers and the two maternal uncles, meet, embrace and exchange garlands and gifts when the baraat arrives.
- Toran
A toran is the decorated hanging over the door of the wedding home or venue, and in many Rajasthani families the groom ceremonially touches it before he enters.
Questions
Ghudchadi, answered
What is Ghudchadi?
Ghudchadi is the ritual where the groom mounts a decorated mare (ghodi) before the baraat, with his sisters and sisters-in-law performing small customs around him.
Which families celebrate Ghudchadi?
Many North Indian Hindu and Sikh families, especially Punjabi, Haryanvi, Rajasthani and UP families.
When does Ghudchadi happen in the order of wedding functions?
On the wedding day, right after the sehra bandi and just before the baraat sets off.
What do families write on the invitation for Ghudchadi?
Ghudchadi and baraat, Saturday, 14 February, 6 pm from Hotel Raj Palace.
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