Indian wedding glossary · Before the wedding
What is Tilak?
Also written: Tilak ceremony, तिलक
Tilak is the ceremony where the bride's family, usually her father and brothers, visit the groom's home, put a tilak of kumkum on his forehead and welcome him into their family.
- Who keeps it
- Many Hindu families in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
- When
- Before the wedding, often a few days to a few weeks ahead. Some families hold it on the same day as the roka.
About Tilak
What should you know about Tilak?
The bride's side brings gifts for the groom and his family: clothes, fruit, sweets, sometimes a coconut and shagun. A priest leads a short puja, the tilak is applied, and elders bless the groom. In many families it is mainly the men of the bride's side who go.
In UP and Bihar the tilak is often a large function of its own, with relatives from both sides and a meal. In other families it is a small part of the roka.
In the order of functions
Where does Tilak come in an Indian wedding?
Before the wedding, often a few days to a few weeks ahead. Some families hold it on the same day as the roka.
- 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 Tilak?
We request your gracious presence at the tilak ceremony of Chi. Arjun on Friday, 21 February, at 11 am.
Related words
Words that go with Tilak
- Roka
Roka is the small family ceremony where the bride's and groom's families formally agree to the match, bless the couple and exchange sweets, gifts and shagun.
- Lagan
Lagan is the fixed auspicious time of the wedding, and in many families the lagan patrika is the formal letter the bride's family sends to the groom's family to announce that date and time.
- Sagai
Sagai is the Hindi word for the engagement ceremony, where the bride and groom exchange rings in front of both families and the wedding is formally announced.
- Shagun
Shagun is an auspicious gift, most often cash in an envelope ending in one, such as ₹101, ₹501 or ₹1,100, given at the roka, engagement, wedding and other family occasions.
- Kangana
Kangana is the sacred thread with small charms tied on the wrists of the bride and groom before the wedding, which they later untie for each other in a playful game.
Questions
Tilak, answered
What is Tilak?
Tilak is the ceremony where the bride's family, usually her father and brothers, visit the groom's home, put a tilak of kumkum on his forehead and welcome him into their family.
Which families celebrate Tilak?
Many Hindu families in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
When does Tilak happen in the order of wedding functions?
Before the wedding, often a few days to a few weeks ahead. Some families hold it on the same day as the roka.
What do families write on the invitation for Tilak?
We request your gracious presence at the tilak ceremony of Chi. Arjun on Friday, 21 February, at 11 am.
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