Wedding traditions

Punjabi wedding traditions and how to plan them

A Punjabi wedding often starts with the roka and chunni ceremony, then the maiyan turmeric ritual, a lively jaggo night and the chooda on the wedding morning. The groom arrives with the baraat, the families meet in the milni, the couple marry in a Sikh Anand Karaj or a Hindu ceremony, and the doli marks the bride’s farewell.

Updated 9 November 2026 · Desi Shaadi & Co.

Sikh and Hindu Punjabi weddings

Punjabi families may be Sikh, Hindu or both, and share many pre-wedding customs. The main difference is the ceremony: Sikh couples marry in an Anand Karaj before the Guru Granth Sahib, usually in a gurdwara in the morning, while Hindu Punjabi couples take the pheras around a sacred fire. Our ceremony basics guide explains both.

Which events come before the wedding?

• Roka and chunni chadana: the families formally agree to the match, and the groom’s family places a red chunni (scarf) on the bride’s head with gifts.
• Maiyan or vatna: a turmeric paste ritual for the bride and groom in their own homes.
• Jaggo: a night of singing and dancing, traditionally led through the neighbourhood by relatives carrying a decorated pot of lamps.
• Mehndi and sangeet: often combined into one night.
• Chooda and kaleere: on the wedding morning, the bride’s maternal uncle gives her red and white bangles, and family tie kaleere (golden ornaments) to them.
• Sehra bandi and ghodi chadna: the groom’s sehra or turban is tied and he mounts the horse for the baraat.

What happens on the wedding day?

• Baraat and milni: the groom’s procession, and the formal greeting where relatives from both families meet and embrace.
• The ceremony: the Anand Karaj, with the four laavan around the Guru Granth Sahib, or the Hindu pheras.
• Joota chupai: the bride’s sisters and cousins hide the groom’s shoes and ask for a gift to return them.
• Doli: the bride’s farewell from her family.
• Paani vaarna: the groom’s mother welcomes the couple home.

What should we plan with our vendors?

• A dhol player for the jaggo and baraat, and a DJ for bhangra.
• The gurdwara’s rules on timing, photography and dress, or the venue’s rules on fire for pheras.
• A morning start for the chooda, makeup and an Anand Karaj; see our makeup artist guide.
• Venue permission for the baraat and horse; see the baraat checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Keep planning

Plan the procession with the baraat checklist, read the ceremony basics, or browse all our planning guides.