Assam GK Topic

What Are The Traditional Rituals Of An Assamese Wedding?

Assamese weddings, known as Biya, are deeply rooted in culture and tradition. They are simple, spiritual, and filled with rituals that emphasize purity, blessings, and community bonding. The ceremonies can be divided into pre-wedding, wedding day, and post-wedding rituals.
What Are The Traditional Rituals Of An Assamese Wedding? illustration

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Detailed Notes

Pre-Wedding Rituals

  1. Juran Ceremony – The groom’s mother visits the bride’s house with gifts, including traditional clothes, jewelry, and cosmetics, to bless her.

  2. Pani Tula – Women fetch sacred water from a river or pond early in the morning. This water is used for the purification ritual.

  3. Nuani – The bride and groom are given a ceremonial bath with turmeric paste and the sacred water, symbolizing purity and blessings.

Wedding Day Rituals

  1. Arrival of Groom (Bor Aahon) – The groom arrives at the bride’s house and is welcomed with aarti, betel nut, and traditional songs.

  2. Exchange of Garland (Juroon Diya) – The bride and groom exchange garlands, symbolizing acceptance of each other.

  3. Sacred Fire Rituals (Laj-Hom) – The couple sits before the sacred fire while Vedic mantras are chanted, seeking divine blessings for marital harmony.

  4. Kanyadaan – The bride’s father formally gives away his daughter to the groom, a symbolic gesture of trust and union.

Post-Wedding Rituals

  1. Bidai (Farewell) – The bride departs from her parental home to begin her new life with the groom.

  2. Athmangala Ceremony – Held on the eighth day after marriage, the bride returns to her parental home with her husband for blessings, gifts, and a traditional feast.