Indian wedding glossary · Wedding day rituals
What is Sarbala?
Also written: Shahbala, सरबाला
A sarbala is the young boy, usually the groom's nephew or younger cousin, who accompanies the groom through the wedding day, dressed like a small copy of him.
- Who keeps it
- Punjabi Hindu, Sikh and many North Indian Muslim families.
- When
- Through the wedding day, from the sehra bandi and ghudchadi to the end of the rites.
About Sarbala
What should you know about Sarbala?
The sarbala rides with the groom on the mare, sits beside him and stays close through the baraat and the rites. Traditionally he was the groom's protector and companion; today he is mostly the cutest guest at the wedding.
Many Punjabi and Sikh families call him the sarbala; in many Muslim families the same role is the shahbala.
In the order of functions
Where does Sarbala come in an Indian wedding?
Through the wedding day, from the sehra bandi and ghudchadi to the end of the rites.
- 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 Sarbala?
Not printed; the family decides it, often months ahead, and the sarbala gets his own little sherwani and safa.
Related words
Words that go with Sarbala
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Questions
Sarbala, answered
What is Sarbala?
A sarbala is the young boy, usually the groom's nephew or younger cousin, who accompanies the groom through the wedding day, dressed like a small copy of him.
Which families celebrate Sarbala?
Punjabi Hindu, Sikh and many North Indian Muslim families.
When does Sarbala happen in the order of wedding functions?
Through the wedding day, from the sehra bandi and ghudchadi to the end of the rites.
What do families write on the invitation for Sarbala?
Not printed; the family decides it, often months ahead, and the sarbala gets his own little sherwani and safa.
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