The Shekhawat Bride

❤️ Shaadi ❤️

1400+ Words

Chaitanya's POV

The vibrant baraat procession arrived, accompanied by lively music and enthusiastic cheers. Outside, the males of my family warmly welcomed Hukum's family, offering gifts and refreshments as part of the samela ritual (When the baraat arrives there is a small ritual that is conducted offering gifts to the groom and refreshments to the baraat)

Inside, I sat on the bajot, surrounded by loved ones. In a poignant ceremony, each couple from my family came forward, feeding me a mixture of ghee and patasha (white sugar candy) and anointing my hair with oil. This sacred ritual signified blessings and prosperity. Papa and Mummy then applied curd (dahi) to my hair, following Pandit Ji's instructions, to purify and protect me.

Tears flowed freely as emotions overwhelmed me. I couldn't contain my feelings, knowing that this marked the beginning of a new chapter.

After a refreshing bath, I donned the exquisite Mama Chola, a beautiful attire gifted by my Mamosa. Meanwhile, Moomal Jeeja, Kratu, and my bhabhisa's brought the padla, a collection of gifts from Hukum's family, including my stunning poshak, traditional jewelry, and makeup essentials.

(The padla, a thoughtful collection of gifts from Hukum's family, held immense cultural significance. This traditional gesture symbolized their acceptance and welcome into their family, representing love, commitment, and a promise of harmonious beginnings. The padla typically includes the bride's poshak, traditional jewelry, makeup essentials, and other tokens, chosen with affection and care, reflecting the groom's family's eagerness to embrace their new member.)

Moomal Jeeja expertly helped me into my poshak, careful not to comb my hair, adhering to the traditional Rajput custom that forbids combing the bride's hair until the pheras. The weight of the attire made every movement a challenge, but excitement propelled me forward.

Bhuasa entered the room with my Badi Mammy and guided me to sit before the maya (Maya is a room where ganesh ji and other gods were set up in a wedding house and everyday pooja is done in that room by the bride it's like a poster of ganesh ji, maa saraswati and maa Lakshmi and on the sides of it my hands imprints were there and along with it it contained pooja samagri). She then opened the exquisite box containing the chuda, sent by Hukum's family.

With reverence, Bhuasa asked me to cover my hand with my odhna and gently slid the ivory hathi dant chuda (elephant tusk bangle) onto my wrists. This sacred ritual signified my transition to married life.

The box also held some money, a token of gratitude for the person adorning me with the chuda. Bhuasa handed it to my Badi Mummy, acknowledging her loving assistance.

As the chuda adorned my wrists, emotions swirled within me. This ancient custom bonded me to Hukum, symbolizing our union and commitment.

Bhabhisa's thoughtful gesture of bringing rice ladoo's took center stage. According to custom, if the ladoo hit Hukum's left chest, our marriage would be filled with love; if it touched his safa, quarrels would ensue; and if it missed, our union would balance both.

From the jharoka, I watched as Hukum placed his sword on the toran above the gate, followed by Mummy's heartfelt jhilmil aarti, a sacred welcoming ritual. She then took his measurements with her odhna, another meaningful Rajput ritual signifying respect and acceptance.

As ladies attempted to make Hukum smile, I hid among the crowd, rice ladoo in hand. With a gentle toss, it hit his left chest, eliciting a warm smile.

"Ohho Banna ab to has gya!" ( Ohho, Banna finally smiled) someone exclaimed, as Hukum's embarrassment turned to charm.