Indian wedding glossary · The functions
What is Pithi?
Also written: Pithi dastoor, पीठी
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.
- Who keeps it
- Rajasthani (including Marwari) and Gujarati Hindu and Jain families.
- When
- One or two days before the wedding.
About Pithi
What should you know about Pithi?
In many Marwari families the pithi dastoor runs over a day or more, with the paste applied while women sing folk songs. In Gujarati families, the pithi is often held on the same day as the mandvo and grah shanti.
After pithi, many families do not let the bride or groom step out of the house until the wedding.
In the order of functions
Where does Pithi come in an Indian wedding?
One or two days before the wedding.
- 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 Pithi?
Pithi dastoor, Friday, 13 February, 11 am, at the Agarwal haveli. Please dress in yellow.
Related words
Words that go with Pithi
- Haldi
Haldi is the ceremony where relatives apply a paste of turmeric, gram flour and oil or rose water to the bride and groom, each at their own home, to bless them and make them glow.
- Mandvo
Mandvo is the Gujarati word for the wedding canopy, and the mandvo or mandap mahurat is the puja when that canopy is set up and blessed before the wedding.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ubtan
Ubtan is the paste of turmeric, gram flour, sandalwood and oil or rose water applied to the bride and groom before the wedding, and the name some families give the haldi ceremony itself.
Questions
Pithi, answered
What is 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.
Which families celebrate Pithi?
Rajasthani (including Marwari) and Gujarati Hindu and Jain families.
When does Pithi happen in the order of wedding functions?
One or two days before the wedding.
What do families write on the invitation for Pithi?
Pithi dastoor, Friday, 13 February, 11 am, at the Agarwal haveli. Please dress in yellow.
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