atulaWedding games
July 26th 2008 16:51
Newly weds applying turmeric paste on each other
In an Indian Hindu wedding, the moment when the bride arrives at the groom’s house is of special significance and is marked by various ceremonies differing from state to state. What adds to the richness and fun during this time is the number of games that are played by the groom and bride. These are not just fun ways to make the new bride feel more comfortable in her new environment but also have a special significance as they teach the newly weds a thing or two about married life.
Getting the betel nut from her hands is a tough task!
Like, there is a game where the groom is asked to hold a betel nut in between his thumb and index finger and the bride is then asked to remove it from his hand. This can be done fairly easily as the nut is made all the more slippery by pouring water on the grooms hand! The bride then repeats the game, only this time the nut is tightly secured inside her palm instead of the finger, so that the groom may not be able to remove it in any way. The game is a way of teaching the wife that when the husband brings home the hard earned money, she should take it and then keep it secure and safe only spending it judiciously. There are other variations of the same game like the groom is asked to pour wheat grains from small earthen pots onto a plate and the bride is then asked to pick each grain carefully and putting them again into the earthen pots. This signifies, that the household money has to be kept safely, to be used only when needed.
Another interesting game is when a huge flat vessel is filled with water and milk, some red vermilion mixed in it and a ring is dropped inside. The bride and groom are then asked to fetch the ring by dipping their hands inside. Who ever does it first is the winner. The husband usually is the looser in this game too as he tries to please his newly wed wife by letting her win.
A more romantic game is when the bride is asked to eat sweet meat and without using his hands, the groom is then asked to eat the rest of the sweet from her mouth! This accomplished, the bride is then asked to eat something as miniscule as a fennel seed and then the groom is coaxed to eat the rest of the half, from the bride’s mouth!
These games are made all the more fun and exciting by continuous cheering from family and friends and each side’s relatives trying to distract the groom or the bride from winning.
Truly, a nice way to welcome the new bride home!
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