Indian wedding glossary · Wedding day rituals
What is Toran?
Also written: Toran marna, तोरण
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.
- Who keeps it
- Rajasthani, Haryanvi and Gujarati families, and Hindu homes across India for the decoration itself.
- When
- When the baraat reaches the bride's venue, before the varmala.
About Toran
What should you know about Toran?
Torans of mango leaves, marigolds or embroidered cloth hang over doors for every auspicious occasion. At a wedding, the bride's family hangs a special toran, often with a small wooden bird or parrot on it, at the entrance.
In many Rajasthani families, the groom touches the toran when he arrives, often with a sword or a twig, and is then welcomed with aarti by the bride's mother.
In the order of functions
Where does Toran come in an Indian wedding?
When the baraat reaches the bride's venue, before the varmala.
- 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 Toran?
Families rarely print it; it happens at the gate when the baraat arrives at 7:30 pm.
Related words
Words that go with Toran
- 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.
- 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.
- Ponkhvu
Ponkhvu is the Gujarati welcome of the groom, where the bride's mother greets him at the entrance with an aarti and playfully tries to catch his nose.
- Varmala
Varmala, or jaimala, is the exchange of flower garlands between the bride and groom, which marks their acceptance of each other in front of the guests.
- 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.
Questions
Toran, answered
What is 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.
Which families celebrate Toran?
Rajasthani, Haryanvi and Gujarati families, and Hindu homes across India for the decoration itself.
When does Toran happen in the order of wedding functions?
When the baraat reaches the bride's venue, before the varmala.
What do families write on the invitation for Toran?
Families rarely print it; it happens at the gate when the baraat arrives at 7:30 pm.
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