Ichchha & Ankit's wedding
Day 1
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Sitamarhi
Day 2
Friday, April 18, 2025
Sitamarhi
About the hosts
Ichchha & Ankit's story
Our marriage is an arranged marriage, we both are originally from Bihar. Our marriage will take place in a traditional manner in Sitamarhi district of Bihar. Sitamarhi is a very old and historical district. Mother Sita described in Ramayana was born in Punaura village of Sitamarhi district, there is a holy pond here, in which it is believed that Mother Sita appeared. By coming to our wedding, you can also see the hospitality of Bihar and the birthplace of Mother Sita. If you come to Bihar, there are many good and natural places to visit here, including the world's oldest and the largest Nalanda University of its time, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and Mahavira, the mountains and natural waterfalls of Bodh Gaya, Rohtas and Kaimur, the ashram of Maharishi Valmiki described in Ramayana, Valmikinagar Tiger Reserve, Rajgir's hot water ponds etc. and from here you can also go to see Nepal's capital Kathmandu, Pokhara and the Himalayas (Mount Everest).
Day 1Thursday, April 17, 2025Sitamarhi
Starting time (approximately): 9:00 AM
Venue and host contact details will be disclosed upon booking.
Haldi
The haldi ceremony is a pre-wedding ritual in Indian weddings that involves applying turmeric paste to the bride and groom's bodies. The ceremony is a significant event in almost every Indian regional wedding, including in Bihar:
Preparation: The ceremony usually begins the day before the wedding.
Application: Close friends and family members take turns applying the paste to the couple's faces, necks, hands, arms, knees, and feet.
Music: Family members sing traditional songs during the ceremony.
Blessings: Family members offer blessings while applying the paste.
Fun: The ritual can become fun, and everyone may start using the paste on each other.
Bath: The couple takes a ceremonial bath after the ceremony.
Sweets: At the end of the ceremony, family members receive sweets cooked specially for weddings.
Red thread: A red thread is tied around the guests' wrists.
Folk music: In Bihar, the ceremony includes traditional folk music.
Mehendi
The mehndi ceremony is a traditional Indian wedding event that involves applying henna, or mehndi, to the bride's hands and feet. The ceremony is a pre-wedding celebration that is usually held the night before the wedding. The mehndi ceremony is a time for the bride to be pampered and surrounded by her loved ones.
The mehndi ceremony has many symbolic meanings, including:
Good health and prosperity: The mehndi is said to symbolize good health and prosperity for the couple.
Positive spirits and good luck: The mehndi is associated with positive spirits and good luck.
Cooling the body: The henna is applied to the hands and feet to cool the nerve endings and relieve stress.
Confinement to the home: The mehndi was originally a sign of the bride's confinement to her home until the wedding.
The mehndi ceremony is a vibrant and colorful event that often includes:
Music, dancing, and laughter
Indian food
Colorful decor
Games
Pooja & Matkor
Pooja and Matkor are important rituals in Hindu weddings, especially in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh:
Matkor Puja
This ritual is typically performed on the day of haldi. It involves digging a small pit in front of the bride and groom's house, and performing a puja with water, vermillion, akshat, flowers, money, betel nut, and pan. The ritual is said to bring the couple the blessings of the gods and ensure a hassle-free wedding.
Here are the steps for the Matkor Puja:
The day begins with the narration of Satyanarayan Katha.
At night, the bride's sister or aunt digs a small pit in front of the house.
The pit is filled with water and a puja is performed with vermillion, akshat, and flowers.
Money, betel nut, and pan are added to the pit.
Women go to a field with a procession, carrying a thali, a dawra on their forehead, and a kudal.
The nanda digs up the soil and puts it into the shawls of five married women.
The soil is used to build a wedding altar in the home.
Day 2Friday, April 18, 2025Sitamarhi
Starting time (approximately): 11:00 AM
Venue and host contact details will be disclosed upon booking.
Aam Mahuaa Vivah
During the ceremony, the women sing:
The bride will be married to the Mahua tree!
The groom will be married to the Mango!
How happy will the wedding be !
The groom's name on the mango leaf!
The bride's name on the mahua leaf,!
How happy will the wedding be. !!
Shaddi
A "Shadi" function in a Bihari Indian wedding is a vibrant and elaborate celebration filled with traditional rituals
Wedding day rituals:
Jaimala ceremony: The bride and groom exchange garlands, signifying their consent to the marriage.
Phera ceremony: The couple circles the sacred fire seven times, reciting vows and taking blessings from the Gods.
Gathbandhan: The bride and groom's scarves are tied together, symbolizing their union.
Sindur Daan: The groom applies "Sindur" (red powder) on the bride's parting, signifying her marital status.
Important elements of a Bihari wedding:
Attire:
The bride typically wears a red saree with heavy jewelry, while the groom wears a traditional sherwani.
Food:
A large feast is prepared with regional delicacies like "litti chokha" and sweets.
Music and dance:
Traditional Bihari music and dance performances are a key part of the celebrations, often featuring family members and professional dancers.
