Kinnaur: In a country like ours, rituals related to weddings are diverse across communities and groups.
This is the story of another such wedding ritual observed in Himachal Pradesh, Kinnaur district where the idea of the Hindu ritual- 'saat pheres' does not exist. Here, the wedding ritual is known as Ranekang.
In a Ranekang wedding, the consent of a nuptial or the day of the wedding takes place at the will of a deity and not the family.
Sooner the wedding preps begin, the deity is welcomed home in a grand celebration. The companion to the groom and the groom are dressed alike. Similar attire is prepared for the one who accompanies the groom at the wedding. On receiving the orders from the deity, the wedding procession heads towards the bride's house.
While on the way, priests pray near rivers and rivulets to drive the evil forces away.
As the procession reaches the bride's, women welcome the groom with religious fervour and home-made grape wine. The guests are honoured with garlands made from dry fruits that include chillagoja, walnuts, almonds, black grapes, khumani kernel.
For the bride, the traditional cap is adorned with different coloured flowers, a silver and gold band tied across the forehead that covers the face and other traditional accessories are donned that include nose rings, a necklace called 'Tinga Shulik'.
Silver and gold bracelets. weighing at least 400 grams are worn in which the gold string is known as Sunango, while the silver is called Dhaglo.
Silver jewellery is worn by the bride on her toes known as 'Bangpole'. During the wedding, the groom puts a necklace around the bride's neck named 'Tarmoland' and declares her as his better-half.
Devoid of any 'pheras around the fire', women sing their folk songs and bless the couple in presence of the deity and the lamas.
During the bride's farewell, Majomi, an elder, who hails from the groom' side, holds the bride's hand and takes her to the door of the house. Later, the eldest member of the family hands over grape wine to Majomi.
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