Indian wedding glossary · The functions
What is Mayra?
Also written: Bhaat, bhat bharna, मायरा
Mayra, also called bhaat, is the Rajasthani and Haryanvi custom where the bride's or groom's maternal uncle and his family bring clothes, jewellery and gifts for the wedding.
- Who keeps it
- Rajasthani, Marwari and Haryanvi families, and many families in western UP and Madhya Pradesh.
- When
- The day before the wedding or on the wedding morning, after the pithi.
About Mayra
What should you know about Mayra?
A few days before the wedding, the mother of the bride or groom goes to her brother's home to invite him, often with a small ritual called bhaat nyotna. On the day of the mayra, her brother and his family arrive with gifts for her, her child and the household, and are welcomed with songs.
The mayra is one of the most emotional moments of a Rajasthani wedding, and many folk songs are sung for it.
In the order of functions
Where does Mayra come in an Indian wedding?
The day before the wedding or on the wedding morning, after the pithi.
- 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 Mayra?
Mayra (Bhaat), Friday, 13 February, 4 pm. Welcoming the Goyal family of Jaipur.
Related words
Words that go with Mayra
- Mameru
Mameru is the Gujarati custom where the bride's maternal uncle (mama) brings gifts for her, traditionally including her wedding saree, called the panetar, and her bangles.
- Pithi
Pithi is the Rajasthani and Gujarati name for the haldi ceremony, when a paste of turmeric and gram flour (pithi) is applied to the bride or groom by the family.
- Chooda
Chooda is the set of red and ivory-white bangles a Punjabi bride wears from her wedding day, given by her maternal uncle at the chooda ceremony on the wedding morning.
- 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.
- 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
Mayra, answered
What is Mayra?
Mayra, also called bhaat, is the Rajasthani and Haryanvi custom where the bride's or groom's maternal uncle and his family bring clothes, jewellery and gifts for the wedding.
Which families celebrate Mayra?
Rajasthani, Marwari and Haryanvi families, and many families in western UP and Madhya Pradesh.
When does Mayra happen in the order of wedding functions?
The day before the wedding or on the wedding morning, after the pithi.
What do families write on the invitation for Mayra?
Mayra (Bhaat), Friday, 13 February, 4 pm. Welcoming the Goyal family of Jaipur.
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