Warm Rituals Of Kashmiri Brahmin Culture

Much like other regional weddings, a Kashmiri Brahmin wedding also begins with the matching of horoscopes or teknis (as they are called). Once, the horoscopes of the prospective bride and groom are matched, the purohit fixes the wedding date according to the Kashmiri calendar. And then, the celebrations galore, wrapped in the warm rituals of Kashmiri Brahmin culture set off.

- 

SATLIVUN

With much love and adoration in her eyes, the bride’s maternal aunt begins this ritual. As a token of auspiciousness, the aunt lovingly braids the bride’s hair and applies mehendi on her hands – marking the very beginning of the wedding ceremonies. In the olden days, it was after this ritual that the bride would be restricted to stay at home until the wedding day. Wedding invitations are sent only after Satlivun.

KASAMDRY

An official ceremony of engagement succeeds Satlivun. The bride and groom exchange rings in the presence of their elders. The ritual is known as Kasamdry and usually performed in a temple. The eldest aunts of the bride and groom, prepare var (rice pudding) and distribute it among friends and family to let the word of the official engagement be heard. Gifts, flowers, cash and nabad (a pot containing misri) are sent to the groom’s family as a token of love.

LIVUN

To officially begin the celebrations in order, booking a gourmet caterer holds a critical place in Indian weddings. But to Kashmiri Brahmins, it is extremely crucial to cleanse their houses before the beginning of wedding preparations. An auspicious day is chosen and the respective houses of both the bride and the groom are treated with mud and water. The houses are then decorated in a ritual known as Krool Khaarun. Married women attend the ceremony of Livun, carrying joy in their hearts ahead of the wedding celebrations. To mark the same, the waza (family cook) builds a special mud-and-brick oven called wuri. It is here that the traditional Kashmiri meals are prepared for the proceeding days of celebrations.