Wedding traditions
Gujarati wedding traditions and how to plan them
A Gujarati wedding often begins with the gol dhana engagement, the mandvo and Ganesh sthapana, the pithi turmeric ritual, the mameru gifts from the bride’s maternal uncle and a garba night. On the day, the groom’s jaan is welcomed with the ponkhvu, the couple take the mangal pheras, and the vidaai follows.
A note on variation
Gujarati Hindu and Jain families follow different customs, and rituals and their names vary by community and region. Ask your families and your maharaj (priest) which they want, and use this as a guide to what to plan.
Which events come before the wedding?
- Gol dhana or chandlo matli: the engagement, named after the jaggery and coriander seeds shared by the families, often with an exchange of rings and gifts.
- Mandvo mahurat and Ganesh sthapana: prayers at each family’s home to begin the wedding rituals.
- Pithi: a turmeric paste ritual for the bride and groom, similar to the haldi.
- Mameru: the bride’s maternal uncle and his family bring gifts, often including the bride’s ceremony saree and jewellery.
- Garba or raas: a night of circle dances, with dandiya sticks for the raas, often in place of or alongside a sangeet.
What happens on the wedding day?
- The jaan: the groom’s procession, welcomed by the bride’s mother with the ponkhvu, an aarti and a playful attempt to catch his nose.
- Antarpat and kanyadaan: a cloth held between the couple until the bride arrives under the mandap, then her parents give her hand.
- Hasta melap: the joining of hands.
- Mangal pheras: the couple walk around the sacred fire, often four rounds, followed by the saptapadi, seven steps.
- Kansar: the couple feed each other a sweet.
- Vidaai: the bride’s farewell, and her welcome into her new home.
What should we plan with our vendors?
- A dance floor big enough for the garba circle, and a DJ or live garba singers.
- A mandap with space for the fire and the antarpat, and venue approval for the fire; see our decorator guide.
- A caterer who cooks Gujarati food, and Jain food if your family needs it.
- A photographer who knows the jaan, the ponkhvu and the pheras.
Frequently asked questions
How many pheras are in a Gujarati wedding?
Many Gujarati ceremonies have four mangal pheras followed by the saptapadi, the seven steps, but customs differ. Ask your maharaj how your ceremony is arranged.
What is the mameru?
The mameru is when the bride’s maternal uncle and his family bring gifts for her, often the saree she wears for the ceremony, jewellery and gifts for the family.
Is garba the same as a sangeet?
They are similar nights of celebration. A garba centres on traditional circle dances, while a sangeet usually centres on performances. Many Gujarati families hold a garba or combine the two.
Keep planning
See the other events in Indian wedding events explained, plan the sangeet or garba, or browse all our planning guides.