Discover
India
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Embark on a voyage of
a lifetime with a trip to India that is sure to leave indelible impressions
on you for all eternity. Bounded by the Himalayas in the north and the Bay of
Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea on its east, south and west
respectively, India is a paradise destination that is home to a varied
landscape rich in natural resources. A unique country, India's diversity is
reflected in each aspect of its lifestyle- be it religion, language, food
habits or the wedding styles. The religious diversity can be best exemplified
by the fact that India is home to 82% Hindus, 2,3% Christians, 2% Sikhs, 0.7%
Sikhs, 0.4% Jains and a few thousands of Parsis and Jews apart from 12% of
Muslims whose actual number far outstrips the Muslim population of Pakistan.
Also, there are about 1500 Indian mother tongues all of which are in use till
date.
The rich cultural
history of India goes back to the 2500-1700 BC, right from the advent of the
Indus Valley Civilization in 2500-1700 BC to the glorious Mughal period.
Giving a strong example of its nationalism, India gained Independence from
the British rule and since then it has seen its star ascending high in the
horizon what with a strong vibrant economy.
The Indian climate is
given to heavy variations, given its diverse topography. Generally the
climate is said to be sub-tropical in nature and given to three main seasonal
cycles- summers, rain and winters. Northern India is at its oppressive best
in the months of May and June with the Himalayas providing the only escape
route. The Indian coastline is on its best behavior during the months of
November - March and is a terrific place to let down your hair.
Even though India has
been showered with the sobriquet of 'Unity in Diversity', the people of India
share common ethnic and cultural origins with their neighbors across the
border, namely the inhabitants of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and
Sri Lanka. The Indian population also shares some common physical features
amongst themselves such as black hair and brown/black eyes along with brown
skin, on an average.
Indian philosophy is
also decidedly advanced and well thought out. The Upanishads, written early
in the 7th century carried the initial seeds of Indian philosophy, and the
base for classical Indian philosophy to flourish. Writings such as Vedas,
Bhagvad Gita and other Buddhist writings have helped shape up the
philosophical outlook for India. No wonder, in today's chaotic modern times,
people from all over the world are looking to India for spiritual
enlightenment.
Travel to India and discover a whole new way of life. A country where the new exists with the old, a country, which absorbs and is influenced by the aspects of different cultures and yet manages to remain unique. Take part in the boisterous festivals such as Holi and Diwali, witness the different styles of weddings in India and partake of the spicy Indian food preparations- in short do as the Indians too for an invigorating experience of a lifetime. |
Marriage Rituals in India
Indian wedding customs
have a long history, so they’ll add rich meaning -- and fun memories -- to your
wedding. These are some popular cultural wedding traditions you may want to
include in your celebration.
An Indian Hindu wedding
is strictly observed according to the ancient cultural norms laid down in the
Vedas. In the Indian society a wedding is not just the coming together of two
people rather two souls. In fact, a wedding also brings two families closer,
which thereafter share a bond of respect and affection. As a result, there are
a number of traditions and customs associated with the Indian Hindu wedding
ceremony. These traditions are the essence of the marital institution, thereby
strengthening the significance, chastity and faith in the same.It is a well-known fact that India is a melting pot of myriad different cultures and religions, which is what lends a unique flavor to this beautifully diverse country. Naturally, in a country with so much variety, one wouldn't really expect the weddings to be similar in nature. Marriage Rituals in India are vastly different and lends a special significance to the occasion of the wedding.
Most of the marriage
rituals in India have evolved from the ancient Vedic marriage rites. A look at
the process of Vedic marriage is enough to see that how the different wedding
rituals all share similar elements, and though the names might have changed,
essentially they remain the same.
The Vedic Marriage
consisted of the following steps:
In India, the couple
doesn’t choose their wedding date. Instead, a knowledgeable family member,
fortune-teller, priest, or astrologist figures out the most auspicious day by
considering factors like birthdays and phases of the moon. Should the date fall
on a weekday, many couples in the US will hold two wedding ceremonies -- one
with close family on the actual day and a larger celebration that weekend.
Color Code :
Once you've settled on
the perfect date, follow in the footsteps of many Asian cultures and send out
wedding invitations in red and gold. The combination of these two bold colors
represents luck and wealth, while also creating a dramatic color palette.
Menhdi (Henna Ceremony)/ Painting
Party
The traditional art of adorning the hands and feet with a paste made from the finely ground leaves of the Henna plant. The term refers to the material, the design, and the ceremony. It is tradition for the names of the bride and groom to be hidden in the design, and the wedding night is not to commence until the groom has found both names. After the wedding, the bride is not expected to perform any housework until her Menhdi has faded away.Mehndi night usually happens two or three days before an Indian wedding ceremony. During this ritual, an artist uses henna to draw on the skin of female friends and family members. They also paint the bride’s hands and feet to protect them from evil. The deeper the color, the more good luck the couple will have. Typically, the designs last a couple of weeks.Mangni is held. This is to bless the couple, who are then given gifts of jewelry and clothing by their new family.
Bridal Makeup
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From the time a little girl used to play with her dolls, she
has always dreamed of her own marriage, where she would be the cynosure of
all eyes, and looking resplendent in her bridal attire and makeup. Bridal
makeup plays an integral part in making the bride feel on top of the world on
the occasion of her marriage. The Indian bride is the epitome of color and
glitter what with red, fuschia and yellow silks saris draped all over along
with fabulous jewelry made of gold. And the bridal makeup further enhances
the regal effect.
Indian women have always been encouraged to make the most of
their looks. The concept of 'solah Shringar' has been in vogue from the time
immemorial. Also, each region of India has its own typical bridal make-up.
For having the perfect bridal makeup, would- be brides should understand the
difference between everyday makeup and the type of application that will
enhance their beauty in wedding photos.
The Wedding Planner offers services of highly professional
make-up artists who would deck you up like a princess on your wedding day.
Also, we would provide for hair stylists as well. These services can be
availed by the bride along with the other female members of the family. The
Wedding Planner can also arrange for a saree drapist will assist you to wear
your beautiful sarees in exotic and innovative manner.
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Solah Shringar :
Solah shringar are the sixteen adornments of an
Indian Hindu bride, which contribute to her complete beautification. Wedding
has always been a fantasy for every girl. It is a dream, she is born with and
wishes to realize with utmost care and precision. This can very well explain
her urge to look her best on the D day. Moreover, it is considered that a girl
starts her new life after marriage, so she should feel good about herself. This
is why solah shringar is a mandatory practice for all the to-be brides.
Solah shringar are the sixteen adornments, which aim at making the bride look beautiful from head to toe. In fact the process itself pays attention on all her body parts, embellishing them stunningly. Thus, all the brides go through this complete makeover for that special day. So, for all the girls waiting to be brides, here is a quick look at the elating procedure of solah shringar.
- Firstly, the hair of the bride are properly oiled and washed. They are then dried and twined according to the wedding dress. Lastly, they are accentuated with Gajra, strings of flowers.
- The bride is given bath with a mixture of gram flour, turmeric powder, sandal powder and oil. This acts as a scrub and provides glow to her skin.
- After this she dons the wedding dress, which is usually in red color.
- This is followed by putting kajal in her eyes, to enhance their beauty.
- Now, her splendor is further highlighted by ornaments. She wears a mang tika or borla on her forehead, which is made of gold.
- Bindi is a must for the bride as it symbolizes dedication towards her husband.
- She also wears a nose ring in her left nostril, which is also an essential accessory.
- Necklace or Haar is a must and symbolizes prosperity.
- Ear rings or jhoomars are worn in accordance with the necklace. They are heavy and are supported with chain.
- Giving a more traditional look to the bride, armlets are worn on the upper part of the arms.
- Bangles both made of gold and glass are mandatory for a bride to wear as they signify the long life of her husband.
- A bride wears eight rings in both her hands, which are attached with a central flower or medallion that covers the upper part of the hand.
- Accentuating her curves, a waist band is a traditional jewelry worn by the bride
- One of the most sensuous and attention grabbing accessory worn by the bride is anklet. It is worn in both feet.
- Another important jewelry item to be worn is the toe ring. They are also a symbol of her marriage and are worn till her husband's death.
- Not to forget, one of the prettiest ways of accessorizing a bride is with the help of varied henna designs. Mehndi forms an integral part of any marriage.
Madhupak (Offering of Yogurt and Honey) :
The bride’s father offers the groom yogurt and honey as the expression of welcome and respect.
Kanyadan (Giving Away of the Bride) :
The father of the bride places her hand in the groom’s hand requesting him to accept her as an equal partner. The concept behind Kanyadan is that the bride is a form of the goddess Lamxi and the groom is Lord Narayana. The parents are facilitating their union.
The complexity of an Indian Hindu marriage is
owing to the fact that there are many rituals performed according to Vedic
practices and hymns. Kanyadaan is also such a ritual, which apart from being
vital to the ceremony, tugs at the emotional cord of the bride's parents. This
is the moment when their beloved daughter finally belongs to her husband.
Kanyadaan is performed on the main day function of the wedding, during the
mandap ceremony.
It is performed by the Father of the bride, wherein he entrusts his daughter to the groom. In the absence of the father, Kanyadaan is performed by an elderly relative or member of the family. As per the practice, the father of the bride places the right hand of the bride over the right hand of the groom. After this, holy water is poured on the palms of the couple while the priest recites Vedic hymns.
This way the father gives her daughter as a gift to the groom. As per tradition, groom is considered a form of Lord Vishnu. Thus, presenting him gifts is deemed as the greatest honor for the parents of the bride. As a result, they offer their daughter to the groom, who is their most cherished gift. As a symbol of acceptance, the groom touches the right shoulder of the bride, promising to take care of her and holding her responsibility.
It is performed by the Father of the bride, wherein he entrusts his daughter to the groom. In the absence of the father, Kanyadaan is performed by an elderly relative or member of the family. As per the practice, the father of the bride places the right hand of the bride over the right hand of the groom. After this, holy water is poured on the palms of the couple while the priest recites Vedic hymns.
This way the father gives her daughter as a gift to the groom. As per tradition, groom is considered a form of Lord Vishnu. Thus, presenting him gifts is deemed as the greatest honor for the parents of the bride. As a result, they offer their daughter to the groom, who is their most cherished gift. As a symbol of acceptance, the groom touches the right shoulder of the bride, promising to take care of her and holding her responsibility.
All Tied Up :
Another Hindu ritual,
the hasthagranthi, involves tying the couple’s hands together with string
so they literally “tie the knot.” This act is followed by Shakhohar, when
the parents place their hands on the couple’s to represent their union as a
family. Then the couple is wrapped together in a scarf to show their unity as
husband and wife in a custom called gathbandhan.
Gath Bandhan (Tying of the
Nuptial Knot) :
The scarves placed around the bride and groom are tied together symbolizing their eternal bond. This signifies their pledge before God to love each other and remain faithful.
Flower Power :
Indian brides and grooms
exchange floral garlands and wear them throughout the ceremony, representing
their acceptance of each other as husband and wife. In another custom, the
groom’s brother sprinkles flower petals over the couple to protect them from evil.
Jaimala (Exchange of Garlands) :
The couple exchanges garlands as a gesture of acceptance of one another and a pledge to respect one another as partners.
Mangalasutra (Thread of Goodwill) :
A necklace worn specifically by married women as a symbol of their marriage.
In Hindu weddings, one of the most sacred
customs is of tying mangalsutra. It is basically a black and gold beaded
necklace with a gold or diamond pendant. Mangalsutra carries immense importance
in Hindu weddings as well as in the lives of Hindu married women. A mangalsutra
is tied around the neck of the bride by the groom during the wedding rituals.
It is a symbol of marriage and is worn by the bride until her husband's death.
The word mangalsutra can be deciphered as 'sacred thread or cord'; as 'mangal' means auspicious and 'sutra' means thread or cord. Though in appearance it looks like a jewelry item, it is definitely much more than that. The concept is thought to have originated in South India, where it is known as thali or thaaly or maangalyam. It is a yellow thread painted with turmeric paste and is tied around the bride's neck with three knots.
However, the shape and size of mangalsutra varies from state to state and region to region. In north India, it is a necklace with black and gold beads with either a gold or diamond pendant. In the west, it consists of two gold rounds with black beads. Moreover, they are available in all sizes from short to long. Considering the importance of mangalsutra, it is worn as a symbol of marital dignity and chastity. It is a promise from a husband to his wife that they will always stay together.
It depicts the union of the husband and the wife and protects them from evil. Whatever might be the meaning, mangalsutra occupies a significant position in Hindu marriages and rituals. Not to forget, women have become quite flexible nowadays, in relation with the custom of wearing mangalsutra. With fast paced development, mangalsutra has also become a fashion statement. Women now go for exclusive designs and are ready to experiment. Thanks to the soap operas on the television, which have significantly contributed to the change in the mindset.
The word mangalsutra can be deciphered as 'sacred thread or cord'; as 'mangal' means auspicious and 'sutra' means thread or cord. Though in appearance it looks like a jewelry item, it is definitely much more than that. The concept is thought to have originated in South India, where it is known as thali or thaaly or maangalyam. It is a yellow thread painted with turmeric paste and is tied around the bride's neck with three knots.
However, the shape and size of mangalsutra varies from state to state and region to region. In north India, it is a necklace with black and gold beads with either a gold or diamond pendant. In the west, it consists of two gold rounds with black beads. Moreover, they are available in all sizes from short to long. Considering the importance of mangalsutra, it is worn as a symbol of marital dignity and chastity. It is a promise from a husband to his wife that they will always stay together.
It depicts the union of the husband and the wife and protects them from evil. Whatever might be the meaning, mangalsutra occupies a significant position in Hindu marriages and rituals. Not to forget, women have become quite flexible nowadays, in relation with the custom of wearing mangalsutra. With fast paced development, mangalsutra has also become a fashion statement. Women now go for exclusive designs and are ready to experiment. Thanks to the soap operas on the television, which have significantly contributed to the change in the mindset.
Sindhoor (Red Powder) :
The groom applies a small dot of vermilion, a powdered red lead, to the bride’s
forehead and welcomes her as his partner for life. It is applied for the first
time to a woman during the marriage ceremony when the bridegroom himself adorns
her with it.
Seven Vows :
Burn, Baby, Burn :
In Hindu ceremonies, a
fire is lit, and the officiant gives thanks to the fire god, Agni. The couple
will also take their seven steps around this fire in a Hindu tradition called saptapadi.
Then, they’ll say a prayer to seal the bond of their marriage.
Havan (Lighting of the Sacred Fire) :
The couple invokes Agni, the god of Fire, to witness their commitment to each other. Crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar rice and oil are offered to the ceremonial fire.
Rajaham (Sacrifice to the Sacred Fire) :
The bride places both her hands into the groom’s and her brother then places rice into her hands. Together the bride and groom offer the rice as a sacrifice into the fire.
Mangalphera (Walk Around the
Fire) :
The couple makes four Mangalpheras around the fire in a clockwise direction representing four goals in life: Dharma, religious and moral duties; Artha, prosperity; Kama, earthly pleasures; Moksha, spiritual salvation and liberation. The bride leads the Pheras first, signifying her determination to stand first beside her husband in all happiness and sorrow.
Saptapardi (Seven Steps Together) :
An Indian marriage is one of the most serious and scared affair in the society. This is visible from the austerity with which it is performed. A Hindu marriage in particular is all about rituals and customs. There are a number of them which are followed before and after wedding, making it an elaborate ceremony. Every ritual and rite has its own meaning cannot be done away with. However, the most important ones are preformed on the day of the marriage itself. One such custom is solemnizing seven vows or pheras. For more detail, read on.
Without exaggeration, the seven vows or pheras can be said to contain the crux of the practice of marriage. This is attributed to the fact that love marriages performed in temple, marking the holy priest and the almighty as the only witness, only consist of seven vows or pheras. These seven vows are the seven promises which the bride and the groom do to each other for a happy and prosperous life. They are bound together by an unseen bond protected by these promising words.
These seven vows are known as Saptadi, which are performed along with Mangalpheras, which is revolving around the sacred fire. Any marriage is incomplete without these vows and is deemed complete once they are conducted. On the day of the wedding the bride and the groom sit under the Mandap or the scared canopy for this ritual. The bride is seated towards left of the groom before the pheras, while towards the right after they are complete.
The Seven Vows:
Groom: You will offer me food and be helpful in every way. I will cherish you and provide welfare and happiness for you and our children.
Bride: I am responsible for the home and all household responsibilities.
Groom: Together we will protect our house and children.
Bride: I will be by your side as your courage and strength. I will rejoice in your happiness. In return, you will love me solely.
Groom: May we grow wealthy and prosperous and strive for the education of our children. May our children live long.
Bride: I will love you solely for the rest of my life, as you are my husband. Every other man in my life will be secondary. I vow to remain chaste.
Groom: You have brought sacredness into my life, and have completed me. May we be blessed with noble and obedient children.
Bride: I will shower you with joy, from head to toe. I will strive to please you in every way I can.
Groom: You are my best friend, and staunchest well-wisher. You have come into my life, enriching it. God bless you.
Bride: I promise to love and cherish you for as long as I live. Your happiness is my happiness, and your sorrow is my sorrow. I will trust and honor you, and will strive to fulfill all your wishes.
Groom: May you be filled with joy and peace.
Bride: I will always be by your side.
Groom: We are now husband and wife, and are one. You are mine and I am yours for eternity.
Bride: As God is witness, I am now your wife. We will love, honor and cherish each other forever.
Wedding
Barat :
Barat is one of the most fun filled traditions
in the entire wedding ceremony. It is basically the procession, which proceeds
from the house of the groom, towards the wedding venue. The procession is
attended by the all the relatives and friends from the groom's side. The groom
is seated on a decorated horse or an elephant for reaching the venue. The spruced
up groom is the center of attention as he is elaborately dressed for the
occasion.
The groom wears a turban with 'sehra', which is a flower veil over his face. Around his neck he wears a garland of Indian currency, signifying his prosperity. This is a very colorful and grand ceremony, which is enjoyed by one and all. Before his departure for the venue, tilak is applied on his forehead, by he various relatives. After this, his sisters and paternal aunt feed the horse or elephant with sweetened grain.
Next, the groom sits on the horse, followed by his congregated folks. Everybody dances on the tunes of the song and music played by the band accompanying them. This way the flock rejoices for the reason that an eligible bachelor of their family will finally start his new life, along with his life partner. Amongst all the celebration, the baraat eventually reaches the marriage spot, where the family members of the bride, awaits them.
On the arrival, all the followers of the baraat are greeted by the people from the bride's side. The mother of the bride applies tilak on groom's forehead and performs aarti to ward off any evil. He along with his other prominent family members is offered a token of gratitude in the form of money from the bride's side. After this, the groom leaves for the sight of Jaimala, for the exchange of garlands with the bride.
Jalastnchana (Blessing of the Couple) :
The parents of the bride and groom bless the wedded couple by dipping a rose in water and sprinking it over the couple.
Aashirvad (Parental Blessing) :
The parents of the bride and groom give their blessings to the couple. The couple touches the feet of their parents as a sign of respect.
Wedding
Photography
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A marriage is a memorable occasion in the lifetime of a person.
Every young boy and girl eagerly waits for this very special day when they will
be treated like a king and a queen. As such, the person would want this special
occasion to be captured by the camera forever. This is where wedding
photography comes in the picture.
Indian Weddings comprise of so many pre and post wedding
functions, such as the sangeet, engagement party, Cocktail party, haldi and
the tilak ceremony. All these special events need to be photographed.Also,
in a typical Indian family, all the aunts and uncles and the other assorted
relatives would want to get themselves photographed individually with the
bride/ groom. As such, having a wedding photographer is a must.
The wedding photographs would be a sweet reminder of the
marriage ceremony. You could also arrange the photographs in a decorative
wedding album. For the special touch, you could customize your wedding album
with personal captions each photo.
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Wedding Transport
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The journey to your wedding venue will be one of the most
memorable of your life, hence you should take care that it should be done
with great style. Enter the wedding venue with a splash that the guests would
remember for a long time. Choose from an exciting range of transportation
options such as a vintage car, a limousine, to a flashy sports car or even a
traditional Indian wedding horse.
Wedding Transport is needed not just for the groom but for the
entire wedding entourage as well. Generally, the while the groom is escorted
to the venue for the wedding venue through a special car sent by the bride's
family, the rest of the groom's family generally follows in a bus. Or if you
want a traditional barat ceremony, then the mode of transport will be the decked
up ghodi (white mare) for the groom while the wedding entourage would follow
on foot, dancing all the way.
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Wedding Trousseau
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Wedding and clothes go simultaneously. Indeed, the first
thought that comes to mind, whenever we are invited to a wedding is what are
we going to wear. So, imagine the planning and preparation that would how
would you be involved for your own wedding trousseau. After all, an Indian
wedding is all about showcasing your best Kanjeevaram sarees, designer
lehengas and elegant sherwanis. Shopping for the wedding trousseau requires a
lot of time and planning
The Wedding Planner will assist you in your purchase of your
dream-wedding trousseau. They will take you for shopping in some of the best
stores around the city that provides exotic Indian and western dresses. They
would also arrange for beautiful packaging of the entire wedding trousseau as
well as the other gift items that would be given to the various relatives.
While assisting you in the shopping for you wedding clothes and other items
such as jewellery, cosmetics and other personal items, they would keep in
mind the budget and ensure that it is not crossed at any point of time.
Arrangement for wedding accessories such as safaas for the groom and chooris
for the bride will be taken care of by them.
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Wedding Decorations
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Wedding decorations play a very big role in setting the tone
and mood for the occasion. Rich colorful decorations lend a special touch to
the ambience. Mostly Indian wedding decorations consist of flowers. Flowers
give a new and fresh dimension to the wedding décor, especially exotic and
seasonal flowers lend that extra touch. Also, rich satin sheets are also been
increasingly used as wedding decoration accessories these days. Satin sheets
add a special glamour to the overall décor to the marriage venue.
The mandap is an important aspect of the wedding decorations.
Since this is the place where the marriage is actually solemnized, special
care is given towards its decoration. The dining hall is also decorated
beautifully. The chairs and the tables are draped in splendid covers, with
usually a flower vase kept in the middle of the table. The stage is also
decorated beautifully with flowers and satin and is usually well -lit
Mostly decoration is done keeping the color scheme in the
mind. The choice of the decorations should reflect the mood of the wedding.
Decoration arrangements for this special day should be done in a manner that
creates a festive feel and reflects the sacredness and purity of marriage.
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Wedding
Caterers
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The moment we are
invited for a wedding, we get excited and the first thing that comes to mind
is about the great food you will probably have at the wedding! Wedding and
good food has been inexorably linked since ages. Most guests pronounce a
wedding to be good, if they had great food. Hence the wedding feast has to be
given particular care and attention. As the catering bill constitutes one of
the largest expenses of a wedding budget, the role of the wedding caterer is
highly important during the marriage.
While deciding upon
the caterer, always go by the reputation. Cross- check with people who have
already utilized the particular wedding caterer's services and ask for their
feedback. Another important aspect is the dinnerware being used by the
caterer. One should make sure that it is not chipped, scratched or worn out.
BREADS
Indian breads, such as naan and kulcha are the more glamorous and delicious cousins of the plain old chappatti that can be eaten with the spicy curries, tandoori chicken and other preparations that consist of gravy. Naan and Kulchas come in various flavors such as Garlic, Keema and Chicken Naan and Onion, Paneer, and Vegetable Kulcha to anem just a few. You can also choose from Tandoori Roti or Paranthas.
STARTERS & ENTREES
Indian weddings serve an assortment of irresistible starters and entrees, the very thought of which makes our mouth water. Samosas and pakoras are the most common ones. Guests can also chose from a variety of kebabs such as Paneer Kebab, Boti Kebab and Barra Kebab (lamb preparations) and Seekh Kebab that is actually barbequed chicken. Tandoori mushrooms, prawns and chicken also make for delectable appetizers.
MAIN
COURSE
Non-Vegetarian
Preparations
Chicken and Lamb feature prominently in the various main course food preparations. For example, the Chicken/Lamb Vindaloo that is cooked with vinegar, capsicum and spices is a famous Goan dish. Then there is the Murg Mumtaz, famouly known as butter chicken, Kadai Chicken, Bhuna Chicken, Shahi Korma, Chicken Korma, Rogan Josh and Chicken Tikka Masala that are the mainstay of a typical Indian Feast. Lamb preparations that are generally a part of the main course are Lamb Madras, Lamb Pasanda, Sag and Bhuna Gosht while the popular prawn dishes are Prawn Malabari and Prawn Sagwala
Vegetarian Delights
Paneer preparations such as Matar Paneer, Palak Panner, Sag and Shahi Paneer are the firm favorites for the vegetarians. Vegetable preparations such as Subzi Bhaji, Ganga Jamuna Subzi, Stuffed tomato curry and Vegetable Kofta Curry also find favor with the guests. You can also gorge on Malai Kofta that is a special preparation made up of cheese, potatoes, nuts and spices mixed together and then deep fried and served with a creamy gravy made of crushed cashews and spices. You can also dip your naan and kulchas in an assortment of pulses such as Daal Makhani and Tadka Daal.
RICE DISHES
Rice has traditionally figured in Bengali weddings but now you can expect to come across a rice dishes in all types of weddings. Some of the popular rice preparations are the Chicken/Lamb/ Shrimp Biryani, Mughlai Pulao and Kashmiri Pulao, the latter being a vegetarian dish.
SOUTH INDIAN DISHES
South Indian Dishes can be differentiated by their usage of spices and coconut along with its milk that lends a unique taste to the food. Some of the popular south Indian dishes have been listed below.
Entrees
The Rasam, a clear lentil soup flavored with pepper garlic and cumin, the Karveipullei Year that is prawns marinated with special spices and Kozhi varuval, which is chaicken marinated in ginger and garlic and garnished with lemon juice are just some of the popular south Indian appetizers served during the wedding feast. Others include Mamsam pepper fry, Lona Esi putta gudgula, Palkatti wada, Keerai wada and Batata bonda.
Chicken Dishes
Famous south Indian chicken dishes include Kodi Koora, Kozhi Melagu Chettinad, Kori Mangalorean Curry and Mysore Chilli Koli to name just a few. The Kozhi Ishtwe is a special chicken preparation that is stewed in coconut milk with vegetables ginger and whole black pepper corn.
Lamb Dishes
Veinchaina mamsam that is boneless lamb cooked with brown onions and Attitarachi thenga kari, where lamb is cooked in coconut paste ginger and fennel powder are the popular lamb dishes down south. You will also come across other lamb preparations such as Masa koondhapur, Erachi thenga varuval and Mamsam nilgiri to name a few.
Vegetarian Dishes
Vegetarian dishes of South India use lots of coconut, paneer, mushroom and spices and other condiments to dish up scrumptious mouthwatering dishes. Some of the common vegetable preparations are Palkatti annabe chettinadu, Telengana palkatti, Battani gudugulla, Kai kurma, Avail, Bendakai polusa and Ennai kathrikai.
Rice Dishes
South Indians use basmati rice to rustle up wonderful rice dishes such as Kodi Biryani, Mamsam Biryani, Year Biryani that includes prawns, Bisi bela Bhaath, which is an udipi specialty comprising of spiced rice lentils and vegetables and Nimmakai annam, in which the rice is cooked in lemon juice and turmeric, to name just a few. |
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