Types of Engagement Ceremonies Celebrated Across India

A wedding is the most significant ceremony, but in India, besides the wedding, engagement (Sagai) holds a momentous place. Many cultures across India celebrate engagement ceremonies with the different touch. Though, the tradition more or less remains the same. According to our Vedas, ‘Vagdanam’, engagement ceremony is a formal announcement where the bride-to-be and the groom-to-be are betrothed to each other by their respective families. The ritual is more of an exchange of pledges between the families, ensuring that they will respect, consider and understand the customs of each other. Engagement ceremonies celebrated across India

Muslim Engagement Ceremony (Mangni) :

As per as the traditional Islamic wedding rituals, Mangni generally takes place one day prior to Nikah. During Mangni, the groom arrives with his family at bride’s home carrying presents such as clothes, sweets, and fruits. The jewelry and the dress for this occasion are provided by the groom’s family to the bride. The ceremony witnesses exchange of rings between the groom and the bride so to solidify the union between them.

Christian Engagement Ceremony (Engagement) :

Christian rituals are unique are not anything like other ceremonies, one has witnessed. In Christian culture, the engagement ceremony is held prior to the wedding on the same day and is usually lasts for an hour. The function is generally hosted by the bride and her family. Mostly close friends and relatives from both the groom and the bride’s side are invited to this ceremony. The ceremony is marked with a formal announcement pertaining to the marriage of the couple and drinks with dinner.

Kashmiri Pandits Engagement Ceremony (Kasamdry) :

The date for Kasamdry is fixed by the family priests in accordance with the Kashmiri calendar. On the day of the ceremony the elderlies from the families of the bride and the groom exchange flowers in a temple to formalize the process of betrothal. Post this ritual, a traditional Kashmiri meal is organized for the groom’s family prepared and served by the bride’s family.

Haryanvi Engagement Ceremony (Sagai) :

In Haryanvi culture, Sagai is a simple affair as the groom’s family visits the bride’s family home. The event is witnessed by close relatives and friends of both the sides. During Sagai, the groom’s family presents the bride with a ring to accept the proposal of marriage. The bride must wear this ring on her right finger in her left hand and formally announce the betrothal.

Himachali Engagement Ceremony (Roka) :

In Himachali tradition, Roka is signified as the formal announcement of the wedding. In this simple ceremony, the boy’s father visits the girl’s home with a priest to present the to-be bride with jewelry, clothes, and dry-fruits. The priest and the father also perform a puja to seek blessings from the god on an auspicious occasion.

Gujarati Engagement Ceremony (GolDhana) :

According to Gujarati culture, the groom’s family presents the bride’s family with coriander seeds and jaggery to seal the pious bond amidst both families. This ceremony is followed by an exchange of rings and blessings are sought from five elderly married couples.