Indian wedding glossary · Wedding day rituals
What is Varmala?
Also written: Jaimala, jaymala, वरमाला
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.
- Who keeps it
- Hindu families across India; Bengali, Tamil and Telugu weddings have their own garland exchanges.
- When
- After the baraat and the bride's entry, before the pheras.
About Varmala
What should you know about Varmala?
The bride and groom stand facing each other, often on a stage, and each places a garland around the other's neck. Friends and cousins often lift the groom or the bride to make it harder, which turns into one of the most photographed moments of the wedding.
In many weddings the varmala comes soon after the baraat arrives, and the pheras follow later at the muhurat.
In the order of functions
Where does Varmala come in an Indian wedding?
After the baraat and the bride's entry, before the pheras.
- 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 Varmala?
Varmala, Saturday, 14 February, 8:30 pm, followed by dinner. Pheras at the muhurat, 11:15 pm.
Related words
Words that go with Varmala
- Kanya aagaman
Kanya aagaman is the bride's entry into the wedding, when she is brought to the varmala stage or the mandap, often under a canopy of flowers held by her brothers and cousins.
- 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.
- Pheras
Pheras are the rounds the bride and groom take around the sacred fire, tied together, with a vow made in each round; in most North Indian weddings there are seven.
- Mala badal
Mala badal is the Bengali exchange of garlands between the bride and groom, done three times, right after the bride reveals her face at shubho drishti.
- Maalai maatral
Maalai maatral is the Tamil garland exchange, where the bride and groom exchange flower garlands three times, often while their relatives lift them up to tease each other.
Questions
Varmala, answered
What is 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.
Which families celebrate Varmala?
Hindu families across India; Bengali, Tamil and Telugu weddings have their own garland exchanges.
When does Varmala happen in the order of wedding functions?
After the baraat and the bride's entry, before the pheras.
What do families write on the invitation for Varmala?
Varmala, Saturday, 14 February, 8:30 pm, followed by dinner. Pheras at the muhurat, 11:15 pm.
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