Indian wedding glossary · Wedding day rituals
What is Kanya aagaman?
Also written: Bride's entry, कन्या आगमन
Kanya aagaman is the bride's entry into the wedding, when she is brought to the varmala stage or the mandap, often under a canopy of flowers held by her brothers and cousins.
- Who keeps it
- Hindu families across North and West India.
- When
- After the baraat is welcomed, before the varmala or before the pheras.
About Kanya aagaman
What should you know about Kanya aagaman?
In many families her maternal uncles or brothers escort her. Phoolon ki chadar, a sheet of flowers held over her by four relatives, has become a favourite. Some brides walk in to a song of their choice.
In Gujarati weddings the bride is traditionally brought in by her maternal uncle. Many couples now plan the entry like a small moment of its own, with the music, the walk and who escorts her chosen in advance.
In the order of functions
Where does Kanya aagaman come in an Indian wedding?
After the baraat is welcomed, before the varmala or before the pheras.
- 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 Kanya aagaman?
Rarely printed; cards often list it as: Varmala, 8:30 pm.
Related words
Words that go with Kanya aagaman
- Varmala
Varmala, or jaimala, is the exchange of flower garlands between the bride and groom, which marks their acceptance of each other in front of the guests.
- 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.
- Mandap
A mandap is the canopy, usually on four pillars, under which a Hindu wedding's main rites, such as kanyadaan and the pheras around the sacred fire, are performed.
- 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.
- Ponkhvu
Ponkhvu is the Gujarati welcome of the groom, where the bride's mother greets him at the entrance with an aarti and playfully tries to catch his nose.
Questions
Kanya aagaman, answered
What is Kanya aagaman?
Kanya aagaman is the bride's entry into the wedding, when she is brought to the varmala stage or the mandap, often under a canopy of flowers held by her brothers and cousins.
Which families celebrate Kanya aagaman?
Hindu families across North and West India.
When does Kanya aagaman happen in the order of wedding functions?
After the baraat is welcomed, before the varmala or before the pheras.
What do families write on the invitation for Kanya aagaman?
Rarely printed; cards often list it as: Varmala, 8:30 pm.
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