Weddings in India are more than just a celebration of love; they are an intricate mesh of emotions, culture, and science contained in rituals that span centuries. Beneath the larger celebrations that most people are aware of, are dozens of lesser-known rituals occurring throughout the nation, many quietly in the corners of their community. Some of these rituals may have been antiquated, but they reveal the remarkable way our ancestors understood human emotion, psychology, and biology to create a process of protection, purification, and an experience of consolation, for both the bride and groom, as they moved into a new life together.
In one of the most remote and valuably untouched villages in the state of Odisha, comes the ritual Baadua Pani Gadhua, which occurs prior to the wedding day. The brother of the bride, sometimes before sunrise, collects water from a local river or pond and the bride utilizes this water for a purifying bath. While the ritual appears symbolic in nature, science supports a further ritualistic connection. There are contraindications to bathing in the early morning that serve more biological needs, stimulating the circulatory system, calming the nervous system, and resetting the body temperature so an individual feels relaxed and energized. This ceremony also serves to reinforce connections of kinship and brother-sister connections, as it releases impurities in a holistic body/mind/emotional context, which is beneficial as the bride readies for one of the significant life changing days of her life.
In the state of Andhra Pradesh, there is an interesting tradition known as Jeelakarra Bellam, in which the couple applies a jaggery and cumin seed mixture on each other’s heads. According to ancient Ayurvedic texts, cumin seeds help with heat retention in the body along with digestion, while jaggery raises serotonin levels while uplifiting a person’s state of mind. Hence, this signifies more than just sweet it signifies a bond as strong as a spice, and warm as sugar. The contact that occurs on top of the head where the sahasrara (crown) chakra is located, is thought to restore energy and balance the mind and bring calm to both partners.
A lesser-known pre-wedding “rite of passage” in West Bengal is the Gaye Holud, which occurs separately in bride and groom households. This consists of turmeric and mustard oil mixed into a paste and applied to the person’s body-although, the turmeric has been transported by family members from the other person’s home. The curcumin compound within turmeric is known to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties – cleansing and cooling the skin, while mustard oils increase circulation. The exchange of turmeric symbolizes the practice of exchanging energy between families, which helps settle apprehensive nerves and develop caring sharing vibes with both parents and families. For the bride, this is physiologically and psychologically comforting.
In Rajasthan, there is an age-old custom called Palla Dastoor where the groom’s family presents the bride with her wedding attire in an event many days before the wedding day. The bride receives not only clothing as a gift but also a something with a psychological function. Gift-giving encourages the release of dopamine – the pleasure hormone – thus creating positive anticipation and emotional reassurance. Traditionally, the clothing would be prepared with the fragrance of sandalwood or rosewater – and now we know from research that these scents can help reduce anxiety and lift mood.
The Kashmiri Pandits have a similar custom called Livun where family and friends gather to (clean) the bride’s home and to make traditional food prior to the wedding celebrations. This gathering is followed by a rhythm-based singing practice known as Wanwun. Research indicates that singing in unison in a group coordinate breathing patterns and releases endorphins – an activity that cheers people up and limits stress. For the bride, it is a way of changing pre-wedding jitters into feelings of togetherness and joy, through a process of therapy that is disguised as celebration.
In Tamil Nadu, a strange custom known as Kashi Yatra is still performed in its earlier format whereby a groom essentially renounces worldly life by mentioning that he is going to Kashi, the holy place, to live the life of an ascetic. The bride’s father then humourously convinces him to return and marry his daughter. While this ritual looks light-hearted because they appear to be just joking, psychologists view it as a stress buster, because laughing liberates oxytocin, thereby reducing the level of adrenaline and relieving tension for both families. The bride observes this playfulness and becomes highly conscious and subconsciously reassured that she is getting married in a jokingly playful way, not either in a serious or stressful way.
From Goa, an unusual pre-wedding tradition called Chuddo has the bride wearing green glass bangles, which have been blessed by married women. Green has been universalized as a representation of fertility and harmony. The sound of bangles also may provide a scientific advantage; when the bangle sounds as an arm moves or vibrates, it hits the acupressure points, which helps speed up blood circulation and helps the nerves relax. For the bride to be, the sound of the bangles becomes a in descriptive sound that helps her feel collected and mindful for the next long hours of ritual preparation.
In Maharashtra, there’s even a small yet impactful custom called the Antarpat where a silk cloth is conventionally placed between the bride and groom before the mantras. The barrier creates suspense and emotional energy when the cloth is taken away, and the bride and groom see each other for the first time as married partners, thereby creating a rush of dopamine based on viewing their partner for the first time creating a powerful and sacred moment.
All of these simplicity rituals speak to the deep knowledge base of human psychology and body-based science in ancient India. From the cooling effect of turmeric to the engaging sound of bangles, to laughter as a relaxant, to touch as a way to balance hormones, to holding the energy of ritual, each action was specifically designed to help for a smoother, calmer and joyful transition into marriage. These rituals show Indian weddings were not just spiritual or cultural ceremonies, they were holistic systems of care in service of emotions, body and the sacred union of two souls, designed thousands of years ago.