Bengali Wedding Rituals: A Journey Through Tradition, Love & Sacred Bonds
Bengali weddings are not just ceremonies; they’re soulful experiences steeped in culture, emotion, and a timeless sense of celebration.
At Team Plannersy, we’ve had the joy of working closely with families and vendors to bring countless Bengali weddings to life – and if there’s one thing we can say with confidence, it’s that every ritual has a heart of its own.
Whether you’re a soon-to-be bride, groom, or just someone enchanted by Bengali culture, this guide will walk you through the key Bengali wedding rituals, unfolding the beauty behind each moment.
Bengali Wedding Rituals Step by Step with Images
Traditional Bengali Wedding Rituals List:
| Stage | Ritual Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Wedding | Aashirbaad | Elders bless the bride and groom at their respective homes with gifts, jewelry, and love. |
| Pre-Wedding | Gaye Holud | Haldi ceremony with turmeric paste applied to the bride and groom for glowing skin and good fortune. |
| Pre-Wedding | Tattva Exchange | Gift trays of clothes, sweets, and wedding essentials exchanged between both families. |
| Wedding Morning | Dodhi Mongol | A curd-and-rice ritual where the bride eats early and fasts until marriage ceremonies are complete. |
| Wedding Arrival | Bor Jatri & Boron | Groom’s procession arrives and is warmly welcomed by the bride’s family with aarti and blessings. |
| Wedding Ceremony | Shubho Drishti | Bride and groom exchange their first glance amidst traditional chanting and joy. |
| Wedding Ceremony | Mala Bodol | Exchange of floral garlands — a symbolic acceptance of each other as life partners. |
| Wedding Ceremony | Sampradan | The official handing over of the bride by her guardian to the groom during sacred chants. |
| Wedding Ceremony | Yagna & Saptapadi | The couple circles the sacred fire seven times, taking vows for a lifelong bond. |
| Wedding Ceremony | Anjali & Sindoor Daan | Offering of puffed rice to the fire, followed by the groom applying sindoor on the bride’s forehead. |
| Post-Wedding | Bashor Ghar | A night of celebration, games, and bonding between the couple and families. |
| Post-Wedding | Bidaai | An emotional farewell as the bride leaves her parental home to start a new journey. |
1. Aashirbaad – The First Blessing
This is where it all begins.
Aashirbaad is the formal blessing ceremony from the elders, where both families visit each other’s homes with gifts – usually gold jewelry, sweets, and symbolic items. It signifies mutual acceptance and the beginning of the wedding journey.
At this point, the wedding dates are often finalized. (If you’re still figuring out yours, you might want to check out our guide to the Bengali Wedding Dates for this year.)
2. Gaye Holud – The Haldi with a Bengali Twist
Color, joy, and turmeric! Gaye Holud is the Bengali version of the Haldi ceremony.
The bride and groom are smeared with a turmeric paste by family members. It’s believed to purify the body and give a natural glow before the big day.
This event is usually a vibrant pre-wedding function with traditional décor, playful banter, and a lot of love. Team Plannersy has often seen families go all out with marigold decorations and a spread of Bengali delicacies.
(Don’t miss our handpicked Bengali Wedding Food Menu for this event.)
3. Tattva & Dodhi Mongol – Rituals of Nourishment
Before the wedding, both the bride and groom receive tattva – beautifully decorated trays filled with gifts, clothes, sweets, and essentials from each other’s families.
Dodhi Mongol is a symbolic breakfast (curd and rice) that marks the start of the wedding day for the bride, who then fasts until the ceremony.
It’s a touching moment of simplicity amidst the grandeur.
4. Bor Jatri & Boron – Welcoming the Groom’s Entourage
As the groom arrives – often with a musical procession – the bride’s family welcomes him with a traditional boron.
The mother of the bride greets the groom with a diya (lamp), dhan (rice), and durba (grass), blessing him for a prosperous life.
5. Shubho Drishti – The First Glance
This is the stuff of poetry.
The bride, covering her face with betel leaves, is lifted by her brothers and circled around the groom seven times.
Then comes the moment – their eyes meet.
This exchange of glances, known as Shubho Drishti, is symbolic of love blooming in the presence of gods and loved ones.
It’s often followed by the chant of conch shells (shankha) and uludhwani, adding an electrifying energy to the air.
6. Mala Bodol – The Garland Exchange
Amid chants and smiles, the bride and groom exchange flower garlands thrice.
It’s a moment of mutual acceptance and playful competition – often marked by laughter, teasing, and happy chaos.
7. Sampradan, Yagna & Saptapadi – The Sacred Union
This is where the sacred fire (yagna) is lit, and the couple performs saptapadi – seven symbolic steps around the fire, representing their promises to each other.
Before this, sampradan takes place, where the bride’s guardian officially gives her hand in marriage to the groom.
It’s a solemn, spiritual segment – a moment of stillness in an otherwise vibrant celebration.
8. Anjali & Sindoor Daan
Together, the couple offers puffed rice (khoi) into the sacred fire – a ritual known as anjali.
Then comes the deeply emotional moment of sindoor daan, where the groom applies vermillion on the bride’s forehead, marking her as his wife.
9. Bashor Ghar & Bidaai – Laughter, Then Tears
After the wedding, comes the bashor, a night of games, jokes, and bonding between the couple and their families. But as dawn breaks, it’s time for bidaai – a heartfelt goodbye as the bride leaves her home to start a new journey.
At Team Plannersy, we’ve often witnessed both families overwhelmed with emotions here — a poignant reminder of the depth of this union.
Final Words from Team Plannersy
A Bengali wedding is a celebration of culture, family, and sacred love – woven together through rituals that go beyond the surface.
At Plannersy, we don’t just list wedding vendors – we partner in your journey.
From decor artists for your Gaye Holud to floral mandap setups that honor tradition, we help families create memories that linger for lifetimes.
We hope this guide helped you connect deeper with the beauty of Bengali wedding rituals. And when you’re ready to plan, we’re just a click away. 🌸
