Significance of the Haldi Rasam (ritual) - Page 5

Originally posted by: Infofan

I was watching the MD episode again and had a question about the milni ceremony. Mitho stuck some leaves on Deepak's cheeks and then touched his cheeks with a barrel or tube before he entered the house.
Gardes, do you know anything about this custom? Or anybody else who can shed some light on this ritual...

Thanks

Thanks, Sur. Maybe you can elaborate on it after talking to your Mom as I am unaware of this custom and its significance. Where I come from, the groom is greeted with vermillion and the diya (oil lamp) and the nose is pulled at. The reason for the nose is that the groom's side think of themselves a notch above the bride's side and the mother of the bride brings his nose down a notch to lead him to the wedding venue. The groomsmen use their muscle to prevent the MIL from getting to the nose. Like I said it is all about symbolisms... fun things at weddings too...

Originally posted by: sur001

lol...While watching the episode i was discussing this with my mom...Its mainly done in Bihar and UP side...This is called "dwarlaggi" don't know whats it called in english...You would have seen in some shows MILwelcomes the groom by pulling his nose its also a kind of welcoming ritual...In this ritual MIL warms the betel leaf from the diya and keeps on cheek of groom...it may have some significance needa ask from Mom .. ...in reality not only MIL but aunts also perform this ritual not that sure...

Thanks Sur & IF for bringing this up. I was also wondering about this ritual seeing it the first time.
Just want to add lot of Indian rituals pre & post marriage also serve as a means to check the bride&groom's character & fitness.
Somebody told me the "bharaat" the groom riding on a horse to the girl's house is to put him on display for the whole village/ wider society to see and object to the match, if the guy's side is hiding some dark secrets.
I just remembered what my friend's Mom told him when they were arranging a marriage for him. When he was doing the rounds of "seeing the girls" , she told him not to look just for a pretty face but someone with nice thick hair & healthy body, all to ensure healthy grand children.
Ancient wisdom!