Roka:

The Roka ceremony is conducted after the prospective bride and groom have met and approved each other. The significance of the ceremony is akin to an engagement where the boy and girl give their commitment to get married to each other. After this ceremony they are free to court each other. The Roka is performed at the house of the bride-to-be. So the family and relatives of the prospective groom must go to her house for the ceremony. The ceremony consists of a simple puja that is conducted by a purohit, followed by an exchange of gifts between the two families.

Sagan and Chunni Chadana:

Both these rituals are performed close to the wedding date. Nowadays they are combined together for the sake of convenience. The ceremonies are usually conducted in a banquet hall or a club. The purohit performs a havan (a puja in front of a sacred fire). The father of the bride-to-be applies tilak on the forehead of the groom-to-be. The bride is dressed in clothes and jewellery that have been presented to her by her future in-laws. She is also presented a red chunni (a traditional scarf) by the sister/sister-in-law of her future husband. She receives more jewellery and gifts from her in-laws as part of the ceremony. Her mother-in-law feeds her boiled rice and milk as part of the ritual. Finally, the prospective bride and groom exchange rings.

Sangeet:
Besides the festivity and frolic that mark the days leading up to the wedding, the families of the prospective bride and groom hold a special sangeet (singing) session. Friends and close family members are invited and traditional wedding songs are sung. Sometimes professional dholwalis (female musicians who play the traditional drum) are invited for a special touch. Both the sides exchange gifts and sweets.

Mehendi:

It is mandatory for the bride-to-be to have henna on her hands and feet. The henna is sent by the future mother-in-law of the bride-to-be. A relative, friend or a professional mehandiwali (henna artist) applies henna for the bride-to-be. The ritual is marked by festivity. The girl friends and close female relatives of the bride-to-be sing and dance joyously while the mehandi is being applied to her. The henna is usually left on overnight so that it leaves behind a rich dark hue. After the application ceremony, delicious snacks and meals are served to all present.

Chuda ceremony:

The maternal uncle of the bride-to-be plays an important role in this ceremony. The oldest maternal uncle and aunt as well as the girl's parents usually fast throughout the day, or at least until the completion of this ceremony. The purohit performs a havan. After the puja, the chuda (a set of red and cream ivory bangles) are touched by all present to signify their blessings and good wishes for the bride-to-be. The bride must slip the chuda on her wrist. This is followed by an iron bangle (for good luck) with shells and beads, and a mauli that the pandit ties around her wrist. Flower petals are showered on the girl after the ceremony and prasad (food that has been offered to God or blessed during a puja) is distributed among all. The girl's maternal uncle and aunt, friends and cousins tie kaliras (silver, gold or gold plated traditional ornaments that are tied to the chuda). Before departing for her husband's home, the bride must tap one of her unwed female friends or cousins with her kaliras. According to popular belief, the one who is tapped thus will be the next one to marry.

Ghara ghardoli and vatna:

This ritual demands that the bride-to-be stay at home in her old clothes for a couple of days before her wedding. She must sit in the vicinity of four lit diyas or oil lamps so that the glow from them is reflected on her face. All these measures are believed to contribute to a beautiful glowing look on her wedding day. A sibling and the sibling's spouse usually fill a pitcher of water from a nearby temple and this water is added to the bath of the bride-to-be. Before her bath, vatna or uptan (a paste of powdered turmeric and mustard oil) is applied on her body by female relatives and friends. The uptan is believed to have purifying properties. She is given a bath after this ritual and her old garments are given away to a poor person. Both, the ghara ghardoli and the vatna ceremonies are also performed for the groom at his house. Here the pitcher of water is brought for his bath by his bhabi (elder brother's wife).

Bridal dress:

The bride is dressed by her mother, female relatives and friends amid much gaiety. She may wear a sari or a lehenga in traditional colours like red, orange or magenta. She is adorned with traditional gold jewellery like a nose ring, etc.

Bridegroom's attire:

The groom dresses in formal attire, which may be traditional or western. A young nephew or cousin also dons similar attire. He is called the sarbala (caretaker of the groom) and accompanies him on his mare or in his car.

Sehrabandi:

A puja is performed after the groom dons his wedding attire. His sehra or turban is blessed by his relatives, as is the silver mukut or crown that goes on top of the turban. At the end of the ceremony, those present bless the groom and give him gifts or, more commonly, cash.

Ghodi, Vag goodti and duppata varna:

The groom's bhabi lines his eyes with surma (kohl). After this, the groom's sisters and cousins feed and decorate his mare. If the groom chooses to use a car for the occasion, then the car is decorated. His relatives use cash for the varna, a ceremony that is supposed to ward off the evil eye. The cash is given away to the poor.

Milni:

The milni ceremony takes place when the groom's procession reaches the wedding venue. The groom and his relatives are welcomed with flower garlands by the bride's close relatives. The chief aim of this ceremony is to help both sides to get acquainted with each other. The girl's relatives give shagoon to the groom's close relatives, beginning with his grandfather, father, uncles and brothers. The shagoon usually consists of cash and is given to honour the relatives.

Varmala:

The bride and groom exchange garlands during this ceremony. Those present indulge in much teasing and festivity to mark this happy occasion. Often, this ceremony acts as an effective ice-breaker for the nervous bride and her groom.

The wedding puja:

The mahurat or auspicious time for the wedding ceremony is usually set after dinner. When the mahurat approaches, the purohit first performs a puja for the groom. The groom chants a few mantras. This is when the girl's young relatives grab the groom's untended shoes and hide it away to be returned after the ceremony for a fee. The fee - kalecharis - gold for the bride's sisters and silver for her cousins. Once the groom's puja is over, the purohit performs another puja with the couple and their parents. The bride is given away by her father in a ceremony called the kanyadaan. This is followed by another ceremony - the pheras (rounds). The bride and groom go around the sacred fire with the bride's sari tied to the groom's pagdi with the help of the red chunni used in the ghara ghardoli ceremony.

The bride and The groom take seven symbolic steps together in a promise of lifetime friendship and fidelity. Each step asks for the Lord's blessings in the following:

1. May the Lord lead us to sustenance
2. May the Lord lead us to strength
3. May the Lord lead us to prosperity
4. May the Lord lead us to the source of all bliss
5. May the Lord lead us to good progeny
6. May the Lord lead us to enjoy all the seasons and longevity
7. May the Lord lead us to union, devotion, and companionship.

At the end of the ceremony, the newly-weds touch the feet of the groom's parents and the elders present to take their blessings. The bride changes into the clothes presented by her in-laws, while her relatives apply tilak on the groom's forehead.

Vidaai:

This ceremony marks the departure of the bride from her parental house. She throws phulian or puffed rice over her head. She conveys her good wishes for her parents through this gesture. A beautifully decorated palanquin or car takes her to her new home. She is usually accompanied by her brother. Her relatives throw coins in the wake of this procession.

Reception at the boy's house:

The newly weds are welcomed in a ceremony called the pani bharna. The groom's mother performs the traditional aarti (puja) with a pitcher of water. She makes seven attempts to drink the water from the pitcher. The groom must allow her to succeed only at the seventh attempt. The bride must, with her right foot, kick the sarson ka tel (mustard oil) that is put on the sides of the entrance door before she enters the house. Along with her husband, she must offer puja in their room. Then they must touch the feet of the elders in a ceremony called matha tekna. The rest of the evening is spent in playing enjoyable traditional game

Phera dalna:

This ceremony demands that the newly weds visit the bride's parents on the day after the wedding. They are usually fetched by the bride's brother. The bride's parents host a lunch to mark the occasion. They also give a lot of gifts to the newly weds.