Ceremonies in Himachal Pradesh
The customs of the hill people have differences with the plain people because they follow their own rites and rituals since centuries and also keenly preserve them. For example, reverse dowry system known as ‘dhari’ is practiced in some part of Sirmur and Shimla.
Among some agriculture castes of Himachal Pradesh, atta-satta ka nata custom is prevailed in which a chain of relations is developed by exchanging the brides and grooms in marriages among indulged families.
Naming Ceremony in Himachal Pradesh
- Mura (Gur or Parched Rice or Wheat Grains ) is distributed in the naming ceremony.
- Among the Kolis , the boys are often named after the day or month. e.g. Manglu for a boy born on Tuesday (Mangalvaar).
- Kinnauri people often use the suffix ‘Negi ’ after names of the child.
- In Shimla district, sons are often named after the father.
- Among the Khashas and Kolis, taking up a new family name is prevalent.
Birth Ceremony :
The birth rituals and customs are also unique with local touch such as husband cannot kill any animal with his own hands during the pregnancy of his wife though he may eat non-veg. A rich mixture of Gur (jiggery) and ghee (refined butter) is given to woman after the birth of child to eat and drink. In some cases country liquor is also given to drink. The naming ceremony of male child among Koli caste is done on the basis of the names of Months and week days.
- The Umblical chord is cut by mid-wife holding a Silver Coin or a Silver Instrument.
- Gurani : Mixture of Ghee and Milk. After the birth, the mother is made to drink Gurani.
- Badhai : Relatives congratulate the Birth by offering Turf leaves with one Rupee.
- Sutak or Sakor days : Period of impurity of mother and family ( Generally 10 days).
- Guntr or Dassotan : Infant’s First Ceremony.
Marriage Ceremony in Himachal Pradesh:
Wedding in Himachal Pradesh is further continued with different wedding ceremonies when the match is found to be good and settled, a ritual gift called Tika is sent. The groom and his family members are invited to tea by the bride’s family. The marriage meeting is accompanies along with ritual songs, being sung along with the distribution of sweets on the account of happiness in prime wedding ceremony.
On this ritual both the concerning families exchange Chhang (rice wine) and close relatives are happily invited as the participant in the wedding ceremony. Date of marriage is fixed with consultation with the priest. The bride and groom are taken in palanquins except from the Lahaul area. The girl is requested to touch her father’s feet at the time of departure. The day when the bride enters the new home, a havan is performed as per the guidance of priest. Then bride is asked to cook kheer (rice pudding) which is served to all the gathering by relatives who in turn bless her. At feroni (ritual of returning of bride after her first visit from father’s house, known as Dwiragaman) the bride and groom are welcomed with great joy and are fed with sweets and butter.
Dheri – The payment made by Boy’ father to Girl’s father for defraying the expenses of marriage.
Two kinds of Marriage Ceremony takes place in Himachal Pradesh:
1. Orthodox Form – usually conducted with Hindu rituals. It is called as Barni in Upper classes. In lower classes, this is called as Sagai or Sotha . Also known as ‘Bandha Dena ’ in Chamba and Barina in Mandi.
2. Bata - Sata – It includes inter-familial exchange. No money is exchanged but Marriagable boys and Girls are exchanged.
3. Pair Bandai (touching the feet) It is another custom which helps introduce the bride to husband's family. In this, the bride first offers the close relatives a gift of money and then covering her hands with the edge of her sari, touches their feet. She is then blessed by the elders to be well-loved of her husband and produce sons.
Three Kinds of Marriage in Himachal Pradesh:
1. Biah – It is the regular kind of marriage according to the Shastras. Genearally followed by the prosperous people of the state.
2. Jhajra and Gaddar – This marriage takes place without holy fire or Shastra. It is typical in Pahari Areas. Bridegroom with relatives visit Girl’s House taking Nath (nose-ring) with them. The Priest inserts Nath in the Girl’s Nostril. Then the girl comes along to boy’s house. Gharasni (eating of Gur) takes place and the marriage is completed. Then after 3 days, Bride’s parents visit her. This visit is known as Murapull. In Kullu , this type of marriage is known as Puttimanal , where instead of Nath , a Cap is put on the bride’s head. Gaddar marriage is same as Jhajra except there is no Ganesha Worship in Gaddar.
3. Jhind Phuki (in Chamba) or Jhara Phuki – It stands for ‘Bush Burning’. It is a kind f run-away marriage found among the Gaddis of Chamba.
Some other forms of Marriage in Himachal Pradesh:
1. Haar– When a boy kidnaps a girl or a girl elopes with her lover. In Kinnaur, Haar is known as Dubdub or Kuchis or Khutu Kima .
2. Darosh Dab Dhab: It is a tribal system in wedding, in which girls is forcibly dragged away from a fair ground, followed by scream, bite, scratch to show annoyance. Further is she agrees the groom goes to her house with a gift of wine and five rupees to get their permission.
3. Pangi: At the time of marriage the groom’s younger brother presents the bride’s mother with a silver rupee, which gives him right of a second husband over the bride. Such marriages are not performed in high esteem
System of Divorce- First husband is re-imbursed by the new husband or the girl’s father. Sometimes , a small stick called as ‘Dingi’ is broken by divorcee to complete the Divorce. In Lahaul, couple prepares a thread of wool and breaks apart to complete the divorce.
3. Widow Re-marriage– In Chamba and Kangra, it is called as Jhanjharar or Gudani . In Shimla, it is called as Karewa.
The people of Himachal Pradesh have their own customs and traditions pertaining to their commumities. The whole village is considered as one single family and elders of the family are reffered by the name chacha - Tau ( uncle )Bhabi ( sister in law ), Mausi ( Aunt ) or Nani ( grandmother ) according to their ages. The people value their relationship a lot and treat them with great regards.