Significance of the Haldi Rasam (ritual)

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gardes

@gardes

Dazzler

Posted: 14 years ago

Just thought that I might post this thread for our non-Indian forumers...

Haldi rasam is a pre wedding ritual in Indian weddings.

Haldi or turmeric is a root and when dried and ground to powder, gives off yellow color. It is mainly used in cooking along with other spices to give color to the curries and prepared food.

Turmeric is also considered to have anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties. In recent years focus has been shifted to turmeric for its healing properties for a number of ailments from arthritis, cancer to Alzheimer's disease and everything inbetween. It is gaining popularity in alternative medicine.

Haldi rasam (ritual) is a very old Indian ceremony, preceding the wedding. It generally happens after the mehndi (henna) ceremony, either the day before or the morning of the wedding. This ritual was introduced prior to the beauty salons and the commercial facials and it is a beautifying session for the bride. Once the mehndi and haldi are applied, the bride-to-be is forbidden to leave the house until the wedding ceremony, in case an evil eye is cast on her and the impending wedding.

The women of the family apply haldi on the bride-to-be to purify her (anti-septic properties) and make her look beautiful for the wedding ceremony. Turmeric is mixed in with rosewater, sandalwood and other purifying and fragrant ingredients and made into a paste. Female members of the family sing and dance as family and friends apply haldi on the face, arms and legs of the bride-to-be. When the ceremony is over, the mother of the bride or another close female member assists the bride-to-be in washing off the haldi, bathing and shampooing her hair. The reason for assitance is also that the mehndi does not wash off and stays fresh until the wedding night when the groom is asked to look for his name in the intricate henna design.

Once the haldi is washed off, the bride looks radiant and stands out in the crowd. It is believed that the yellow color lightens and clears the skin of any blemishes and brings a natural shine to the face.

Edited by gardes - 14 years ago

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Julie0001

@Julie0001

Voyager

Posted: 14 years ago

Thanks Gardes. Nice explanation. I am a cheesy romantic. Would have loved to have seen some haldi on Guddu and getting it transferred magically to RJ. Also would have loved to see him use his hands to wipe her cheek again transferring haldi

Going back to our last show, where is Kahna's marzi when we need it 😉

Edited by jpalagrawal - 14 years ago

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NRChau

@NRChau

Explorer

Posted: 14 years ago

Wow that's some in-depth explanation :-)... Thank you very much, Gardes !!!

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NRChau

@NRChau

Explorer

Posted: 14 years ago

Originally posted by: jpalagrawal
Thanks Gardes. Nice explanation. I am a cheesy romantic. Would have loved to have seen some haldi on Guddu and getting it transferred magically to RJ. Also would have loved to see him use his hands to wipe her cheek again transferring halda

Going back to our last show, where is Kahna's marzi when we need it 😉

I too was waiting for some mushy mushy scenes after the haldi ... But at the same time, Guddu's caressing tone was enough to turn me into Jello... He got her a towel, awww ... M such a sucker for these cute little details!!!

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rashaa

@rashaa

Navigator

Posted: 14 years ago

Originally posted by: NRChau

I too was waiting for some mushy mushy scenes after the haldi ... But at the same time, Guddu's caressing tone was enough to turn me into Jello... He got her a towel, awww ... M such a sucker for these cute little details!!!

Yes that TONEEE! With that voiceee! It makes me totally melt.😳

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Bernadette

@LoveGuddu

Navigator

Posted: 14 years ago

Thanks Gardes for the explanation...I was wondering about that...😃👏

There is also one thing I have been wondering for some time now...what the meaning of the wedding chain...I now Runjhun doesn't have one but the Mamis have and in other shows the married woman all have it????😕

Edit : Ps..I have more question but I will ask them one by one or maybe their is a site were I can learn about the indian culture...

Edited by LoveGuddu - 14 years ago

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ven

@ven

Voyager

Posted: 14 years ago

Thanks, where can one buy it?

Sounds good!

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Priyadarshini Basu

@munam_13

Dazzler

+ 6

Posted: 14 years ago

Thank you Gardes for the explaination and I would like to add the scientific reason behind this whole ceremony too...

Normally in this haldi ceremony the bride is applied with the haldi which was applied on groom. As haldi is an anti septic it helps to prepare the bride's body so that no disease transmission and no problems occur during consummation

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OMA

@OmaRamdass

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 14 years ago

Originally posted by: munam_13
Thank you Gardes for the explaination and I would like to add the scientific reason behind this whole ceremony too...

Normally in this haldi ceremony the bride is applied with the haldi which was applied on groom. As haldi is an anti septic it helps to prepare the bride's body so that no disease transmission and no problems occur during consummation

okkk i never heard that one before - very informative.