Baraat- Lively Wedding Procession In India

It is not unusual to witness an elaborate procession in India called Baraat, where everyone is dancing in their dazzling dresses. This sight involves a well-dressed groom adorned with jewelry riding on a white mare. You will find the well-groomed white mare wearing an embellished saddle. For adding life to the procession, a live band will be playing the happy tunes. And for adding light to the procession few members will be carrying chandeliers on both sides.

The Procession To Marriage

This procession forms an eminent part of the traditional Indian wedding and is known as Baraat. In a Baraat, the groom travels with his close friends and relatives to the wedding destination where the beautiful bride will be waiting for him to arrive. It is startling to witness such a sight. The happy tunes blended with the careless dancing in those embellished dresses and the glow on the face of the groom while riding the mare is priceless. Everyone has heard about the elaborate Indian wedding traditions. And this is the most riveting ritual.

Baraat gives a channel to the jovial friends and family members to portray their merry feelings by grooving carelessly in joy. You will always find the groom with gleaming shine in his eyes. Afterall its heart-warming to witness the people you love to celebrate one of the most important ceremonies of your life. It is indeed a moment to treasure when the groom’s mother and father shake a leg to celebrate the auspicious occasion. Wedding is a happy occasion and baraat adds the flavor of enjoyment.

Mythological Roots of Marriage

Baraat is an essential ritual for Hindu and Sikh weddings. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva participated in this ritual in to marry Goddess Parvati. It is believed that this procession is the display of emotions that fills the hearts of the groom’s guests also known as baraatis. The groom is supposed to ride the white mare to the wedding destination, accompanied by the grooving baraatis.

Winning The Bride

You can look upon the Indian wedding as a well-scripted love story. Where in the scene of baraat, the groom goes out on the venture to win the bride’s heart with the colors of joys and tunes of the live band. For the times when he has to fight for it, he also has a war party. Pun intended.

Baraat is the last journey of the groom as a bachelor. Baraat is the trip from being single to committing into a marriage. A wedding is the celebration of this commitment. Wedding is the auspicious occasion were not only the bride and groom but also their family’s ties knot and vows to support each other forever. And Baraat allows releasing the overwhelming emotions on the happy tunes.

Influence of Bollywood on Baraat

If you are a fan of Bollywood, then it must be easy for you to understand the scale of celebration. It is celebrated in the most extravagant form. And the influence of cinema has contributed to the increase in scale. In modern times, grooms have started to arrive at their wedding in a luxurious car or even on an adorned elephant. The medium to arrive might have changed but the careless dance culture is still the same.

India is best known for diversity and baraat also respects this trait. Every religion and region participate in baraat differently. In some, the groom is supposed to carry a sword while in others a small child accompanies the groom on the white mare. The live band could have instruments from trumpet to flute. The purpose is to make the baraatis dance on the joyous beats.

Baraat Today

So next time if you see a loud and celebratory procession across the road with the sounds of crackers and sights of chandeliers remember that you are witnessing a Baraat. Today you can also find portable DJs and music systems replacing the live band. But no other instrument could match the feelings of the wedding Shehnai and Dhol. Baraat is a tradition being followed from centuries and it is best celebrated in its beautiful form. The influence of modernity might appear fun but the authenticity retains the dignity of the ritual.