Chooda and Kalire for a Punjabi Bride

Wedding is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and memorable day of a couple’s life. This auspicious event not only brings two souls together forever, but also brings them close to their family and friends who join them in the celebrations as a couple begins their new life together. The wishes and blessings of these people are very important for a couple's smooth journey into this new phase of life.

In an Indian wedding, all the rituals performed hold some cultural or religious significance.  The chooda and kalire ceremony that is usually part of a Punjabi wedding are important too.  Held for the Bride, this is usually done on the day of the wedding.  The 'chooda' is the red and white bangles with beautiful golden accessories that hang on them, are famously known as 'kalire'.

In a Punjabi wedding,'Chooda' ceremony holds a special position in the brides family. Chooda is traditionally, a set of 21 bangles in red/maroon and white/ivory gifted by the bride’s maternal uncle (Bride's mothers brother).  

The ceremony begins with a  puja or havan. Bangles are first purified with milk and rose petals. Before it is put on the bride's wrist by her maternal uncle, all the close relatives touch the chooda as a mark of their blessings. After that, the wrist is covered with a white cloth, as the bride cannot see the chooda till the time of the wedding ceremonies. 

Chooda is an important part of a Punjabi bride’s solah shringar. This is one of the most evident marks of a new bride. Not only that, it is also known to bring good luck for the newlyweds. Also, red is a very important colour for a married woman as it is believed to strengthen the bond between a couple. Fertility and prosperity are two words that can be easily associated with the chooda, which is worn for a minimum period of 40-45 days after the wedding day.

The chooda is accompanied with the bridal lehenga, which in many communities is gifted by the maternal uncle as well. Chooda ceremony is a Punjabi ritual but the same can vary in names for different cultures around the country.

The umbrella-shaped hangings tied to the chooda, signifying happiness and eternal love between the couple are kalire. The bride’s sisters and friends tie the kalire to her chooda. Kalire are usually made from gold or silver threads, red being a favorite color in all Punjabi Weddings. Sisters and Friends of Brides usually tie kalire, giving their blessings to the would be wife and reminding her to not forget them post her marriage. Also, the coconut-shape of the kalire is symbolic that she never runs out of food in the new home, while the metal symbolises wealth and prosperity.

Often there are dried beetle nuts, dry fruits and coconut encrusted on the kalire. These are available in various designs and sizes, and one can pick according to their choice. 

It is said that if the Bride touches her  kalire worn hands on the heads of all the unmarried girls present and a loose kalire falls, then she is the next one to get married. The next day after the wedding, one of the kalire is left at the temple with the priest for blessings and the rest are kept by the bride as a memory of her parent's home and a momento of the wedding day

Indian Wedding Traditions and Superstitions

A matrimonial event in India comes with a lot of baggage with respect to traditions and superstitions. A wedding is considered to be among the most sacred events in the lives of people and hence all the possible measures are taken to make sure that no negativity encroaches upon the events of the marriage as well as the happiness in the lives of the couple hereafter. 

Among the many factors that are taken into consideration before a couple gets married, the most important one is that of the presence of the mangal dosha. The existence of this dosha is believed to have catastrophic results on the couple and hence extra care is taken in form of astrological counselling, rituals and prayers to make sure that there is no occurrence of unwanted events during the course of the life of either the bride or groom. 

Speaking of the wedding event itself, there are number of traditions and rituals that are followed around the country to minimize the negative effect of the ‘evil eye’ on the bride or the groom. Here are some of the most popular and common traditions – 

1.  After the engagement, many families believe that if the bride carries a knife or any other such sharp metal object with she at all times, she will be able to easily protect her virtue from the world including from her own fiancé. 

2.  Some Indian cultures believe that it is good luck if a cat eats out of the left shoe of a bride or a groom a week before the big day.

3.  At the same time, many families take is as bad luck if boiling milk spills over during or right before the wedding. It is taken a sign of an impending disaster. 

4.  As orthodox as it may sound, in many villages of India, if the family of the groom is on the way to express their liking towards a prospective bride, it is believed that they may reject the offer in fear of bad luck if they spot a blind man, monk or pregnant woman on the way. 

5.  At the same time, it is considered to be good luck if the family spots wolves pigeons or goats. It is thought unlucky for the bride to make her own wedding dress.

6.  It is considered highly unlucky for the bride to make her own wedding outfit. 

7.  While borrowing a wedding dress brings your good luck, it is believed to bring back luck to the one who lends it. 

8.  The bride along with other women of the household are known to send lentil balls to the house of the groom as a sign to ensure that the kitchen is always filled with food to eat at all times. 

9.  While it is considered bad luck to see an open grave, lizard, pig or a cockerel crow on your wedding, it is considered good luck to see a rainbow, black cat or chimney sweep on your wedding day. 

Many of these superstitions may sound extremely conservative to a modern, progressive family; irrespective of their historical relevance, traditions and superstitions such as that of the mangal dosha are very much prevalent even in today’s more educated environment. Instead of blindly following any one of these, it is recommended that you first get a clear understanding behind each one’s relevance and apply what’s practical in your personal lifestyle.

Summary

India is known for its rich culture and traditions. With it, comes a long list of superstitions which may have had historical significance that has been lost in modern living. Understand each superstition and its relevance before you choose to blindly follow what the society asks you to.

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