| TERM |
DEFINITION |
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| Aarti |
A Hindu ritual in which incense is lighted and offered to deities. Also the devotional song which is sung during the ritual. (Also, Arti) |
| Aashirwad |
Blessings, usually from elders (also Ashirvad, Ashirvaad) |
| Acharya |
A Hindu priest |
| Achkan |
A long-sleeved garment worn by men that reaches down to the knees or lower and is buttoned down the front |
| Aeki Beki |
A game played by the newlywed couple in which a tray of water is mixed with vermilion and milk. A ring is placed in the mixture and it is said that the person who finds the ring four out of seven times will rule the household |
| Agarbatti |
Incense sticks used in many Hindu ceremonies |
| Akhand Paath |
A three day Sikh ceremony in which the entire Sri Guru Granth Sahib is read continuously |
| Anand Karaj |
The Sikh wedding ceremony; literally, The Ceremony of Bliss |
| Antarpaat |
A curtain that separates the bride and groom at the beginning of the Hindu wedding ceremony (also, Antarpat) |
| Ardaas |
A Sikh prayer |
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| Babul |
Father (Also, Baabul) |
| Baraat |
The Groom's wedding procession, usually includes family and friends dancing towards the ceremony venue with the Groom on a horse (Also, Bharaat) |
| Barfee |
An Indian sweet (Also, Barfi) |
| Bazaar |
An Indian shop or market where a variety of items are sold |
| Beevi |
A term for wife |
| Bhabi |
Sister-in-law; brother's wife |
| Bhagwan |
A term for God in the Hindu religion (Also, Bhagvan, Bhagvaan) |
| Bhajan |
A sacred hymn sung by Hindus |
| Bhangra |
Popular genre of music from the Punjab region often played at Indian weddings |
| Bindi |
A dot worn on an Indian woman's forehead, traditionally meaning that she is married. |
| Boliyaan |
Traditional Punjabi folk songs |
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| Chandan |
Sandalwood |
| Chandi |
Silver |
| Chero Pakaryo |
Hindu tradition where the groom will tug at the bride’s mother's sari as she passes as a way of asking the bride’s family for gifts. |
| Choli |
The blouse a woman wears with a lehnga or sari |
| Choora |
Bridal bangles put on the bride's arms by her maternal uncle and worn for a specific amount of time after the wedding to signify newlywed status (also, Chura, Chuda) |
| Chuni |
A Punjabi word for the long scarf traditionally worn with Indian garments |
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| Dandia |
Sticks used in the Raas dance (Also, Daandia) |
| Darzi |
A tailor (Also, Darji) |
| Dhol |
Large drum used for music in Punjabi weddings |
| Dholi |
The dhol player |
| Dholki |
Small drum used when singing traditional folk songs, usually at the Sangeet |
| Dhoti |
An uncut cloth tied around the waist and worn by some Indian men |
| Doli |
The ceremony after the wedding when the Bride leaves her home and goes to her husband's home |
| Dulha |
The Groom |
| Dulhan |
The Bride |
| Dupatta |
A long scarf or shawl traditionally worn with Indian garments |
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| Garba |
An Indian form of dance from the region of Gujarat |
| Ghazal |
A poem sung in Urdu |
| Ghar Nu Laxmi |
The welcoming of the newly wed bride to the groom's home by her mother-in-law |
| Gota |
A ribbon used as embroidery that is made of gold or silver thread |
| Grahapravesam |
The first time the newlywed couple enters their house |
| Granthi |
A Sikh priest |
| Griha Shanti |
A form of puja conducted by a pundit that seeks to provide the couple with a happily married life by calling happiness and peace from the stars. |
| Gujarat |
A region in India |
| Gujarati |
The language spoken by those who live in the region of Gujarat |
| Gurdwara |
The Sikh place of worship or temple (Also, Gurudwara) |
| Guru Granth Sahib |
The holy scripture of the Sikhs (Also, Sri Guru Granth Sahib) |
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| Haar |
A necklace |
| Hasta Milap |
Hindu wedding ceremony where the groom's scarf is tied to the bride's saree, symbolizing the union of their two souls (Also, Hasta Milaap) |
| Henna |
A colored paste made from the green leaves of a henna plant that is used to adorn the hands and feet of the bride and other women |
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| Jaago |
A ceremony that takes place the day before a Sikh wedding (also Jago, Jaggo) |
| Jaimala |
Wedding ceremony where the bride and groom exchange garlands |
| Janampatri |
Horoscope |
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| Kanyadaan |
This ritual is when the bride is given away by her parents and the bride’s hand is placed over the groom’s. (Also, Kanyadan) |
| Karah Prashad |
Ceremonial sacramental pudding distributed to guests at a Gurdwara |
| Kirtan |
The singing of Sikh hymns, or shabads |
| Koran |
The holy scripture of Islam (also, Qoran) |
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| Laavan |
The four hymns that are recited during the Anand Karaj while the bride and groom circle the Guru Granth Sahib (also Lavan, Laava, Lavaan) |
| Lagan |
The Indian wedding ritual |
| Langar |
The meal served at the Gurdwara following the Anand Karaj |
| Lehnga |
A two piece ensemble worn by women. The top can be either short or long and the bottom is a flowing skirt (Also, lenga, lehenga, lahenga) |
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| Maangtika |
See tikka |
| Madhuparka |
Ceremony where the groom's feet are washed and he is offered honey and milk |
| Mandap |
A heavily decorated canopy under which the bride and groom have their Hindu wedding ceremony |
| Mangalsutra |
The wedding necklace presented to the Indian bride by her groom during the Hindu wedding ceremony. Traditionally worn as a wedding ring. (Also, Mangal Sutra) |
| Masjid |
The Muslim place of worship |
| Matli |
A container of sweets and gifts presented to the groom's family from the bride's family that represents good luck |
| Mehndi |
A colored paste made from the green leaves of a henna plant that is used to adorn the hands and feet of the bride and other women (also Mehndhi, Mehendi) |
| Milni |
Ceremony preceding the wedding when members of both the bride's and groom's families meet to exchange hugs and garlands of flowers |
| Mithai |
Indian sweets (Also, Mitthai) |
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| Nadaswaram |
A popular South Indian classical music instrument. This instruments is played during many Hindu weddings.(Also, Nadhaswaram, Nagaswaram) |
| Nath |
A nose ring (Also, Naath, Naathi) |
| Nikaah |
The Muslim wedding ceremony (Also, Nikah) |
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| Palla |
The groom's scarf which is placed in the bride's hand by her father during the Sikh wedding ceremony |
| Pandit (Pundit) |
A Hindu priest |
| Phulkari |
A traditional form of embroidery from the Punjab area (Also, Phulkaari) |
| Pithi |
A ceremony where the bride and groom are covered in a yellow powder that is made into paste |
| Puja |
A Hindu prayer (Also Pooja) |
| Punjab |
A state in India |
| Punjabi |
The language spoken by those who live in the state of Punjab |
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| Ragi |
Sikh men or women who sing religious hymns, or shabads (Also Raagi) |
| Raas |
A dance involving pairs of people and dandia sticks. The dance involves hitting your partner's sticks while following the rhythm of the music. |
| Rajkumar |
King |
| Rumaal |
Handkerchief (also, Rumal) |
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| Saubhagyavati Bhava |
Hindu tradition where seven married women from the bride’s side will pass by the couple and whisper blessings into the bride’s right ear. |
| Sagaai |
The Indian engagement ceremony (also, Sagai) |
| Salwar Kameez |
A traditional Indian outfit worn by North Indian women that is comprised of a long shirt and trousers, along with a long scarf (Also, Salvar Kameez) |
| Sangeet |
(1)A general Indian word for music. (2)Event preceding the wedding when women gather to sing traditional folk songs. |
| Sanskrit |
The traditional language in which the Hindu wedding ceremony is conducted. |
| Sarbala |
A young boy who accompanies the Groom on the horse during the Baraat at a Sikh wedding. |
| Saptapadi |
Ceremony where the groom helps the bride touch seven betel nutes with her right toe, while they recite the seven vows. |
| Sari |
A long piece of material that is uncut and unsewn and worn by many Indian women. (Also, Saree) |
| Sehra |
Drape of flowers worn in front of the face of the Groom before the wedding ceremony |
| Shaadi |
The Indian wedding ceremony (Also, Shadi) |
| Shabad |
A hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib |
| Shehnaai |
An Indian musical instrument (Also, Shehnai, Sehnai) |
| Sindoor |
Red powder that a Groom places at the part in his Bride's hair during the Hindu wedding ceremony. |
| Sona |
Gold |
| Sri Guru Granth Sahib |
see Guru Granth Sahib |
| Suit |
The common Punjabi word for a Salvar Kameez |
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| Tikka |
Piece of jewelry that is attached to the middle part in the hair and falls onto the forehead (Also, Tika, Teeka) |
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| Varmala |
A Hindu ceremony where a cord is tied around the couple’s necks to protect them from evil. |
| Vidaai |
The departure of the newly married couple. |
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| Walima |
The reception held after the Muslim wedding. |
