Indian wedding glossary · Wedding day rituals
What is Lajja homam?
Also written: Laja homa, laaja homam
Lajja homam is the ritual where the bride's brother pours puffed rice into her hands and she offers it into the sacred fire with the groom, praying for her husband's long life and the family's prosperity.
- Who keeps it
- Hindu families across India; the name lajja homam is used most in South India.
- When
- During the fire rituals, along with the pheras or saptapadi.
About Lajja homam
What should you know about Lajja homam?
Laja means puffed rice. The bride's brother fills her cupped hands, joined with the groom's, and the couple offer it to the fire. In many North Indian weddings, the same offering of puffed rice (khil or lawa) happens during the pheras.
It is one of the moments the bride's brother has a special role in.
In the order of functions
Where does Lajja homam come in an Indian wedding?
During the fire rituals, along with the pheras or saptapadi.
- 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 Lajja homam?
Rarely printed; it happens during the muhurtham rites.
Related words
Words that go with Lajja homam
- Havan
A havan is the sacred fire lit in the centre of the mandap; in a Hindu wedding Agni, the fire, is the divine witness to the vows, and the couple make offerings into it.
- 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.
- 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.
- Thali
In South Indian weddings the thali, or mangalyam, is the sacred pendant on a yellow thread or gold chain that the groom ties around the bride's neck at the muhurtham.
- 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.
Questions
Lajja homam, answered
What is Lajja homam?
Lajja homam is the ritual where the bride's brother pours puffed rice into her hands and she offers it into the sacred fire with the groom, praying for her husband's long life and the family's prosperity.
Which families celebrate Lajja homam?
Hindu families across India; the name lajja homam is used most in South India.
When does Lajja homam happen in the order of wedding functions?
During the fire rituals, along with the pheras or saptapadi.
What do families write on the invitation for Lajja homam?
Rarely printed; it happens during the muhurtham rites.
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