11 Important Nepali Wedding Traditions And Rituals

Nepali Wedding Traditions

A wedding is a celebration of a new beginning as well as a lifetime commitment. Look at all the Nepali wedding traditions to understand the significance of the Nepali wedding ceremony. 

Nepal has a diverse ethnic and tribal population, which contributes to various wedding ceremonies and practices. The majority of marriages in Nepal, on the other hand, follow either Hindu or Buddhist traditions. Each one of the Nepali wedding traditions owns its unique practice to perform during the ceremony process.

In today’s Ling app blog, we will let you know the well-known and important Nepali wedding traditions to know more about Nepali people and their culture. 

Nepali Wedding Traditions Engagement Ceremony

What Is The Nepali Wedding Tradition?

Nepali Hindu Engagement Ceremony (Hindu Wedding)

The Nepali Hindu engagement ceremony, is called, Tika-tala. It translates to the tika, the crimson marking made between the eyes during an aarti. It has been used to exchange good wishes and promises. The engagement ceremony starts the wedding with just the bride and groom meeting.

The actual ceremony consists of a simple exchange of a promise to marry between the bride and groom. After the groom’s family agrees on this marriage, all the family members of the bride’s side go to the groom’s home to finalize everything. The wedding date confirms after the agreement of both families. 

The Hindu and Buddhist cultures in Nepal have wildly different wedding engagements. Marriage is not considered a sacred thread in Buddhist traditions but rather a social agreement between the two persons being married.

Wedding Engagements; Wedding Rings (Kusha Ring)

Yes, wedding rings are very common in most Nepali weddings. Interestingly, the bride and groom must exchange a grass ring before the actual wedding ring at the start of the ceremony. The grass ring is known as a “kusha ring.” In Hinduism, the kusha grass is holy since it lasts a long time. It is one of the Nepali wedding traditions that wearing the ring purifies you and that worshipping without it would be useless.

Kalash Tradition Of Nepali Weddings 

During the Nepali wedding traditions, the brass canister known as Kalash has its importance. It represents fertility and goodwill. It also signifies the beginning of a happy wedding. The conch shell symbolizes female fertility because of its association with water. 

Tradition To Take Evil Spirits Off – Diyo 

During the wedding ceremony, there is a Hindu tradition to take the evil spirit off. The light from diyo represents the elimination of darkness and evil spirit. It represents purity and prosperity. 

Circling Of The Groom – A New Beginning Of Nepali Couple 

The bride walks three times around the groom to symbolize that he is the center of her universe. The walls around them fall as the bride completes the rounds, and their spirits are united. 

Practices involved, some brides will throw flower petals or rice as they walk, depending on their ethnicity. Under the love of Lord Vishnu, the couple owns, a tradition, of swearing a lifelong commitment that leaves wonderful marriage marks. 

Traditional Wedding Grass Mala; Dubo Ko Mala

It is a custom for the bride and groom to wear a grass mala around their necks during Hindu marriages. A “Dubo Ko Mala” is what this grass necklace is known for. The mala is Bermuda grass, which does not fade once harvested from the ground. It symbolizes a happy marriage filled with good health.

Most Respectful Nepali Weddings Tradition; Groom Applies Sindoor Powder

One of the most important Nepali wedding traditions on a wedding day is when the bride and the groom get married; her husband applies sindoor powder to the bride’s hair. It is an essential Hindu tradition and a sign that “to be a couple” have married legally and has life long commitment.

A traditional Nepali woman put sindoor powder in their hair every day to symbolize their undying love for their husband. In today’s world, most Nepali women keep sindoor powder for special occasions and festivals, rather than wearing it every day.

Nepali Wedding Traditions Wedding Necklace

Pote Tilhari; Traditional Wedding Necklace 

Pote tilhari, a red and gold necklace, is a sign of marriage. The gold item is called “tilhari,” and the beads are called “pote.”

Only married women wear a pote necklace. In Nepal, women wear pote necklaces as wedding rings. A traditional woman will never leave the house without wearing one.

Supari – A Traditional Newari Wedding Ceremony 

Supari is the name of a Newari wedding tradition in which the groom’s family welcomes the bride. During this ritual, the bride distributes ten betel nuts to each family member. This nut distribution symbolizes the bride’s acceptance into the family.

Both The Bride And The Groom Receive Wishes And Gifts As A Tradition

Friends begin to come after the wedding ceremony, and the introduction to the family is over. In the reception line, the bride, groom, and groom’s close family greet the guests. Guests bring gifts, flowers, and khata. However, close relatives from the bride’s house arrange a grand dream of well-planned destination weddings. The venue is the gift from their side to the “couple-to-be.”

Last Tradition Of Nepali Wedding Ceremony – Ghar Bhitrauni Ceremony

It is also one of the well-known Nepali wedding traditions that the bride is likely to live at the groom’s home with his parents after the wedding is arranged marriages. As a result, a ceremony welcomes her to the groom’s house for the first time. 

Learn To Speak Nepali With Ling

Learning a new language, such as Nepali, is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. Thus, it is almost the end of the year, and if you aim to learn Nepali, learn with the Ling app. It focuses on the best ways to teach 60+ languages. With its game mode and mini-quizzes, the Ling app teaches its user everything about the target language.

So, download the Ling app on the Play Store or App Store and learn the Nepali language with one of the best learning apps. For instance, read more articles on the Nepali language via “Nepali words and phrases” and “Nepali regions.” 

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