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Aarti A Hindu ritual in which incense is lighted and offered to deities. Also the devotional song which is sung during the ritual. (Also, Arti)
Aashirwad Blessings, usually from elders (also Ashirvad, Ashirvaad)
Acharya A Hindu priest
Achkan A long-sleeved garment worn by men that reaches down to the knees or lower and is buttoned down the front
Aeki Beki A game played by the newlywed couple in which a tray of water is mixed with vermilion and milk. A ring is placed in the mixture and it is said that the person who finds the ring four out of seven times will rule the household
Agarbatti Incense sticks used in many Hindu ceremonies
Akhand Paath A three day Sikh ceremony in which the entire Sri Guru Granth Sahib is read continuously
Anand Karaj The Sikh wedding ceremony; literally, The Ceremony of Bliss
Antarpaat A curtain that separates the bride and groom at the beginning of the Hindu wedding ceremony (also, Antarpat)
Ardaas A Sikh prayer
Babul Father (Also, Baabul)
Baraat The Groom's wedding procession, usually includes family and friends dancing towards the ceremony venue with the Groom on a horse (Also, Bharaat)
Barfee An Indian sweet (Also, Barfi)
Bazaar An Indian shop or market where a variety of items are sold
Beevi A term for wife
Bhabi Sister-in-law; brother's wife
Bhagwan A term for God in the Hindu religion (Also, Bhagvan, Bhagvaan)
Bhajan A sacred hymn sung by Hindus
Bhangra Popular genre of music from the Punjab region often played at Indian weddings
Bindi A dot worn on an Indian woman's forehead, traditionally meaning that she is married.
Boliyaan Traditional Punjabi folk songs
Chandan Sandalwood
Chandi Silver
Chero Pakaryo Hindu tradition where the groom will tug at the bride’s mother's sari as she passes as a way of asking the bride’s family for gifts.
Choli The blouse a woman wears with a lehnga or sari
Choora Bridal bangles put on the bride's arms by her maternal uncle and worn for a specific amount of time after the wedding to signify newlywed status (also, Chura, Chuda)
Chuni A Punjabi word for the long scarf traditionally worn with Indian garments
Dandia Sticks used in the Raas dance (Also, Daandia)
Darzi A tailor (Also, Darji)
Dhol Large drum used for music in Punjabi weddings
Dholi The dhol player
Dholki Small drum used when singing traditional folk songs, usually at the Sangeet
Dhoti An uncut cloth tied around the waist and worn by some Indian men
Doli The ceremony after the wedding when the Bride leaves her home and goes to her husband's home
Dulha The Groom
Dulhan The Bride
Dupatta A long scarf or shawl traditionally worn with Indian garments
Garba An Indian form of dance from the region of Gujarat
Ghazal A poem sung in Urdu
Ghar Nu Laxmi The welcoming of the newly wed bride to the groom's home by her mother-in-law
Gota A ribbon used as embroidery that is made of gold or silver thread
Grahapravesam The first time the newlywed couple enters their house
Granthi A Sikh priest
Griha Shanti A form of puja conducted by a pundit that seeks to provide the couple with a happily married life by calling happiness and peace from the stars.
Gujarat A region in India
Gujarati The language spoken by those who live in the region of Gujarat
Gurdwara The Sikh place of worship or temple (Also, Gurudwara)
Guru Granth Sahib The holy scripture of the Sikhs (Also, Sri Guru Granth Sahib)
Haar A necklace
Hasta Milap Hindu wedding ceremony where the groom's scarf is tied to the bride's saree, symbolizing the union of their two souls (Also, Hasta Milaap)
Henna A colored paste made from the green leaves of a henna plant that is used to adorn the hands and feet of the bride and other women
Jaago A ceremony that takes place the day before a Sikh wedding (also Jago, Jaggo)
Jaimala Wedding ceremony where the bride and groom exchange garlands
Janampatri Horoscope
Kanyadaan This ritual is when the bride is given away by her parents and the bride’s hand is placed over the groom’s. (Also, Kanyadan)
Karah Prashad Ceremonial sacramental pudding distributed to guests at a Gurdwara
Kirtan The singing of Sikh hymns, or shabads
Koran The holy scripture of Islam (also, Qoran)
Laavan The four hymns that are recited during the Anand Karaj while the bride and groom circle the Guru Granth Sahib (also Lavan, Laava, Lavaan)
Lagan The Indian wedding ritual
Langar The meal served at the Gurdwara following the Anand Karaj
Lehnga A two piece ensemble worn by women. The top can be either short or long and the bottom is a flowing skirt (Also, lenga, lehenga, lahenga)
Maangtika See tikka
Madhuparka Ceremony where the groom's feet are washed and he is offered honey and milk
Mandap A heavily decorated canopy under which the bride and groom have their Hindu wedding ceremony
Mangalsutra The wedding necklace presented to the Indian bride by her groom during the Hindu wedding ceremony. Traditionally worn as a wedding ring. (Also, Mangal Sutra)
Masjid The Muslim place of worship
Matli A container of sweets and gifts presented to the groom's family from the bride's family that represents good luck
Mehndi A colored paste made from the green leaves of a henna plant that is used to adorn the hands and feet of the bride and other women (also Mehndhi, Mehendi)
Milni Ceremony preceding the wedding when members of both the bride's and groom's families meet to exchange hugs and garlands of flowers
Mithai Indian sweets (Also, Mitthai)
Nadaswaram A popular South Indian classical music instrument. This instruments is played during many Hindu weddings.(Also, Nadhaswaram, Nagaswaram)
Nath A nose ring (Also, Naath, Naathi)
Nikaah The Muslim wedding ceremony (Also, Nikah)
Palla The groom's scarf which is placed in the bride's hand by her father during the Sikh wedding ceremony
Pandit (Pundit) A Hindu priest
Phulkari A traditional form of embroidery from the Punjab area (Also, Phulkaari)
Pithi A ceremony where the bride and groom are covered in a yellow powder that is made into paste
Puja A Hindu prayer (Also Pooja)
Punjab A state in India
Punjabi The language spoken by those who live in the state of Punjab
Ragi Sikh men or women who sing religious hymns, or shabads (Also Raagi)
Raas A dance involving pairs of people and dandia sticks. The dance involves hitting your partner's sticks while following the rhythm of the music.
Rajkumar King
Rumaal Handkerchief (also, Rumal)
Saubhagyavati Bhava Hindu tradition where seven married women from the bride’s side will pass by the couple and whisper blessings into the bride’s right ear.
Sagaai The Indian engagement ceremony (also, Sagai)
Salwar Kameez A traditional Indian outfit worn by North Indian women that is comprised of a long shirt and trousers, along with a long scarf (Also, Salvar Kameez)
Sangeet (1)A general Indian word for music. (2)Event preceding the wedding when women gather to sing traditional folk songs.
Sanskrit The traditional language in which the Hindu wedding ceremony is conducted.
Sarbala A young boy who accompanies the Groom on the horse during the Baraat at a Sikh wedding.
Saptapadi Ceremony where the groom helps the bride touch seven betel nutes with her right toe, while they recite the seven vows.
Sari A long piece of material that is uncut and unsewn and worn by many Indian women. (Also, Saree)
Sehra Drape of flowers worn in front of the face of the Groom before the wedding ceremony
Shaadi The Indian wedding ceremony (Also, Shadi)
Shabad A hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib
Shehnaai An Indian musical instrument (Also, Shehnai, Sehnai)
Sindoor Red powder that a Groom places at the part in his Bride's hair during the Hindu wedding ceremony.
Sona Gold
Sri Guru Granth Sahib see Guru Granth Sahib
Suit The common Punjabi word for a Salvar Kameez
Tikka Piece of jewelry that is attached to the middle part in the hair and falls onto the forehead (Also, Tika, Teeka)
Varmala A Hindu ceremony where a cord is tied around the couple’s necks to protect them from evil.
Vidaai The departure of the newly married couple.
Walima The reception held after the Muslim wedding. |
