Baraat

Baraat (Hindi: बरात, Urdu: بارات) (pronunciationⓘ) or Varayatra (Sanskrit: वरयात्रा, romanized: Varayātrā)[1][2] is a groom's wedding procession in the Indian subcontinent.

[3][4] In North India, it is customary for the bridegroom to travel to the wedding venue (often the bride's house) on a mare (or vintage car nowadays and chariots or elephants in the past),[5] accompanied by his family members.

The groom and his horse are covered in finery and do not usually take part in the dancing and singing; that is left to the "baraatis" or people accompanying the procession.

In Bengali, the baraat is usually referred to as "Borjatri" (বরযাত্রী) when the groom along with his family members, friends and closest relatives leave for the bride's home which is the venue of the marriage.

Dhol and musical instruments are played and the family members and friends of groom dance in joy.

In older times, when baraat used to travel long distances, then women of household used to stay at home.

The groom is welcomed by his mother in law by applying tilak & aarti and offering him sweets and Dogra dish Suchi.

In Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, Baraat is associated with special nupital songs called Phaag which are initiated by a priestess.

[13] On arrival at wedding venue, the groom is welcomed by bride's family by applying tilak, performing aarti.

In this ceremonial procession the groom and his family members and friends arrive at the wedding mandap amid great pomp and magnificence.

When the baraat arrives at the wedding venue, a ceremony known as the milni (literally, meeting or merger) is carried out, in which equivalent relatives from the groom and bride's sides greet each other.

In a Gujarati wedding, the groom arrives at the bride's house on a horse and is followed by a dancing procession led by his family members and friends is called Varghodo or Jaan.

The Janti consisting of the groom's family members, relatives and friends, sets out for the bride's home.

In Edurukolu ceremony, the groom's procession is grandly welcomed by the bride's party amidst traditional music of 'Nadaswaram'/'Sannai Melam'.

[22] The start of Dibbana procession is preceded by Vāhana Pujā where prayer is performed using kumkum & coconut for safe journey of the groom.

The bride's brother puts garland around the groom's neck, in order to welcome him at the entrance of the kalyana mandapam (wedding hall).

Camels have been an integral part of Rajasthani culture for centuries, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of wealth and status.