#chooda removal ceremony

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Choora Farewell

A Symbolic Farewell: The Choora Removal Ceremony

Understanding Choora

Choora, a traditional bridal adornment, holds significant cultural and symbolic importance in many Indian traditions. It typically consists of red and ivory bangles worn by the bride for a specific period, usually 40 days. This practice is rooted in cultural beliefs and traditions, often symbolizing good luck, fertility, and the transition into married life.

The Significance of the 40-Day Period

The 40-day period is not arbitrary. It's often associated with spiritual and cultural beliefs. Some believe that wearing the choora for this duration brings good fortune and protects the bride from evil influences. Additionally, it might symbolize a period of adjustment and adaptation to the new phase of life.

The Choora Removal Ceremony

The removal of choora is often accompanied by a small ceremony or ritual. This practice varies across different regions and communities, but some common elements include:

Timing: The choora is typically removed on the 41st day after the wedding.

Ceremony: A simple ceremony might involve prayers or blessings.

Removal: The choora is usually removed by a close female relative, such as a sister-in-law.

Gift Exchange: In some traditions, the bride may give a gift to the person who removes the choora.

Cultural Variations

The specific rituals and traditions associated with choora removal can vary significantly across different regions and communities in India. For instance, in some regions, the choora may be removed by the bride's mother or grandmother. In others, a priest or pandit may be involved in the ceremony.

Symbolic Significance

The choora removal ceremony holds significant symbolic meaning. It marks the end of a phase of life and the beginning of another. The choora, which has been a constant companion during the initial days of marriage, is now removed, symbolizing a transition from the single life to married life.

Post-Choora Removal Traditions

After the choora is removed, some brides choose to store it as a keepsake. Others may donate it to a temple or river. The choice often depends on personal beliefs and family traditions. In some cultures, the choora may be buried or discarded in a specific manner.

Modern Interpretations

With changing times, more women are opting to wear choora beyond the traditional 40-day period. This reflects a shift in cultural attitudes and a desire to personalize traditions. While the traditional significance of the choora remains intact, modern interpretations allow women to express their individuality and preferences.

Conclusion

The chooda removal ceremony is a significant event in many Indian weddings. It marks the end of a tradition that has been passed down through generations. While the specific practices may vary, the underlying symbolism and cultural significance remain consistent. The ceremony is a time for reflection, gratitude, and the anticipation of a new chapter in life.

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Punjabi Pre-Wedding Traditions

Punjabi weddings have always been the most famous and known for fun-filled functions. One can find a display of different traditions and the jolly nature filled with the dancer in themselves. Everyone has a perception about Punjabi weddings that they are loud and extravagant and somewhere it is the truth but does not forget that they are fun-loving as well. You will never find a single moment becoming dull. Moreover, famous Bollywood films like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Mere Dad ki Maruti, and many others have projected Punjabi Hindu Weddings in a way that today; Punjabi weddings are now known as synonyms for Indian Weddings. No, we are not saying that it is true for everyone but this is how the world sees it. To be very honest on our point Punjabis have always been very particular about upholding their traditions and old wedding rituals. Here we have almost all the pre-wedding functions that can be witnessed in a Punjabi wedding.

Roka Ceremony

This is the very first ritual in Punjabi wedding in which the wedding is fixed between two people. In this Bride’s family visits the family home of the groom with a lot of gifts. Usually, the bride is not present that day. This visit is now reciprocated by the groom’s family just like the bride’s family did and the couple is now considered to be officially engaged and they are made to sit together so everyone in the family can shower their blessings and gifts also called as shagun aur sagan. They both are also supposed to eat laddus. This function has always been a little low key and nowadays Roka and thaka are kept on the same day, basically to fix the dates. And most important this function is started with a small or ardaas.

Chunni Ceremony 

Chunni ceremony marks the official engagement of the to-be-weds. Usually, the family members of the groom visit the family of the bride with gifts. A red-colored outfit like a sari or a lehenga-choli has gifted a headscarf called chunni.

Sagai and Engagement Ceremony

On the day when the chunni chadhai ceremony is taking place, that very day sagaai or engagement ceremony takes place. The bride and the groom exchange their rings with each other in the auspicious presence of their family and friends. Not only this they are now getting accepted officially by the opposite families. People also consider the exchange of rings as the final mark of acceptance of the bride welcoming them in their lives and family.

Mehendi Ceremony

Mehendi is an essential part of almost all Indian weddings, which cannot be missed. It is that part of the Indian weddings, that every Indian woman dreams of and is very excited for it. Mehendi artists are called to the house of the bride a day or two before the wedding day. Beautiful henna designs are made on the bride’s hands and feet, other girls and ladies who are part of the ceremony also get Mehendi done on their hands. The main thing that is kept in mind is no one else than the bride shall get the most beautiful design made.

Sangeet Ceremony

Most of the time ladies sangeet is kept on the same day. In this, ceremony ladies close to the bride’s family sing and dance together making the day more memorable. It can also be called a musical extravaganza. It is the most amazing pre-wedding ritual, as everyone sings and dances around the bride, teasing the bride about her new wedding life. This ceremony is mostly held in the evening, so food is the main part of it somehow.

Kangana Bandhana Ceremony

Kangana bandhna is the first ritual that is performed on the morning of the wedding day. A sacred thread is also known as mouli is tied on the wrist of the bride and the groom separately at their respective homes. This mouli is tied as it is considered to be a good-luck charm and should not be removed until it falls off.

Chooda Chadana Ceremony

Chooda chadana is a ceremony that is followed by the Kangana bandhana ceremony. A havan or sacred fire is placed around that fire all the elderly males from the bride’s side sit around the fire. Bride’s maternal father or mama plays a vital role by taking the main part in the havan. After that the maternal uncle or mama gift the bride-to-be a set of 21 bangles of red/maroon and white/ivory in color. The bangles are then purified in a liquid mixture containing milk and rose petals. Then mama has to put the bangles on the wrist of the bride but one has to take care that the head and hands are covered as the bride is not supposed to see the bangles at the time when it is put on her wrists. Flower petals are showered on the bride-to-be as a part of holy rituals. It is expected that the bride should wear those bangles for at least a time period of 40-45 days.

Kalide Ceremony

The bride is made to be seated facing four lamps or diyas. This ceremony is performed on the morning of the wedding. This is an old ritual that is also common amongst other Indian weddings as well. The women of the house then apply a paste of turmeric (Haldi), sandalwood, rosewater, and mustard oil on the visible parts of the bride’s body. It is believed that this paste acts like a scrub or cleansing agent, that gives shine and glow to the bride’s face. The same ritual is performed at the house of the groom. This ceremony is full-filled with fun and lots of laughter.

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India is a vast country with different religions, traditions, faith and values and so does the Indian weddings are full of traditions, rituals which hold religious as well as emotional values to each and every function held on weddings. 

And from many traditions and customs, there is one most important ritual in Sikh/ Punjabi  bride known as “Chooda and kalire rasam” 

Both these ceremonies are held on the morning of the wedding day at the bride’s place.

What is a Chooda?

Chooda means a set of bangles,  traditionally means a set of 21 bangles in red and white/ ivory. Earlier chooda was made with haathidaant (elephant tusks) but now they are made from plastic.

Why it is worn??

Chooda is said to bring good luck for the newlyweds. Also, red is a very important colour for a married woman in India as it strengthens the bond between a couple. Fertility and prosperity are also associated with the chooda, and it is worn for a minimum period of 40 days and maximum for 1.5 years after the wedding.

Like in Hindu weddings bride is supposed to wear “Mangalsutra” & “Sindoor” for his husband sakes, and also a sign of a married woman likewise Sikh / Punjabi bride wears “CHOODA” as in Sikhism married women do not wear “Sindoor” or “mangalsutra” but in some Punjabi traditions they do wear.

When it is worn and by whom?

It is worn on the morning of a wedding day. The chooda is put on a bride’s wrist by the mama “Maternal Uncle”.

In some places, the bride is not allowed to see her chooda and sits with her eyes clothes. They say if you see your chooda before the wedding it is inauspicious. So after the chooda is put, it is covered with a cloth.

  Chooda Rasam/Ritual

On the wedding morning, after bride took her bath known as ” Khaare Laana”, the chooda ceremony will be performed. The chooda is put into “Kachhi Lassi” ( mixing milk and water together), yes not only milk but milk and water.

Yes, It is worn after the bath, final bath of a bride to be in her own home as after this she will be a married woman. So, after putting the chooda into a bowl of “kachhi Lassi”, the maternal uncle will start putting the chooda on a bride to be wrist and following, maternal uncle’s wife and then the brothers can perform this ritual.

Chooda comes in “Nanki Shakk” ( Gifts from mom’s side Family). In Sikh Wedding, Bridal wear and Chooda is given by them.

Pro Tip:  When you put Chooda into kachhi, please do not remove the thread and mix into that mixture, As chooda is ” small in size from the front and larger from the back”, and if you mix it, possibilities of wearing it wrong. So, make sure you do not cut the thread and if you do, there are numbers on the inside of chooda, put it according to the numbers.

  There is a variety of chooda, from colours to design to anything you name and it’s in the market.

Nowadays brides can select colours like pink, maroon, orange, white to match their chooda to their bridal outfit.

The number of bangles has now been replaced by sets so you can opt for a single, double or triple set. The designs traditionally had red dots on the white bangles but now flashy rhinestones and Swarovski are also used.

  Customised Chooda, yes! you heard it right you can customise the chooda like * You can get it with bride and grooms name on it. * Pictures of bride and groom etc.

In Punjabi tradition, A puja or havan is usually organised during the chooda ceremony. The bangles are first purified with milk and rose petals. Before it is put on the bride’s wrist by her maternal uncle, all the close relatives touch the chooda as a mark of their blessings. After that, the wrist is covered with a white cloth, as the bride cannot see the chooda until the time of the wedding ceremonies.

  What not to do??

You can not change or remove the “Chooda” once it wore at least for minimum 40 days.

You cannot remove it by your own, there is a small ritual called ” Chooda wadhana” (Removal of chooda).Chooda Wadhana:Bride’s sister in law (husband’s sister) can only remove the Chooda and then some gifts have been given to her by a bride, it can be anything.And if a bride wants to wear it for a longer time, Sister in law will remove only two bangles from each hand and put it back on her hand.Note:  Make sure you do not remove all bangles and only two has to be removed and put it back if a bride wants to wear it as it is. If all bangles are out you cannot wear it back.

  Why you cannot remove or change it?

A bride wore it for a husband, and this ritual is performed by bride’s maternal uncle. and it held an emotional as well a belief that it is “worn for husband”.  It is a sign of Married Women.

  Kalire

Kalire are umbrella shaped hangings which were earlier made of silver or dry coconut and makhana that are encrusted with dried beetle nuts and dry fruits.The significance is to provide good wishes to the bride and to remind her of her cousins and friends whom she is going to leave behind when she gets married. Also, the coconut-shaped of the kalire is symbolic that she never runs out of food in the new home, while the metal symbolises wealth and prosperity But now the modern kaliras are made of metal and studded with rhinestones.

  When it is worn & whom?

These are worn after the chooda ceremony when the bride is all dressed up in her bridal wear. Kaleere are gifted by Bride’s sisters, friends and close relatives

Yes, worn after when the bride is all dressed up so the kaleere don’t get tangled.

After the kalire are tied, a bride makes all her unmarried friends and she shakes her hands on their heads. It is believed that if any part or the kalire fall on the head of any girl she will get married soon.

Often there are dried beetle nuts, dry fruits and coconut encrusted on the kalire. These are available in various designs and sizes, and one can pick according to their choice.

What not to do?

You cannot remove it once it is worn until you reached your new home ( inlaw ) house.

You cannot remove it your own, Sister in law (Husband sister) will do this favour.

What to do with them?

You can save them in their box or also use it as a decor in the house.

  XOXO PC

Significance Of Chooda And Kalire India is a vast country with different religions, traditions, faith and values and so does the Indian weddings are full of traditions, rituals which hold religious as well as emotional values to each and every function held on weddings. 

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Make a glam quotient with your traditional wedding chura

The splendor and the colorfulness of an Indian bridal ceremony can never be matched. What makes Indian weddings more than an event are the emotional, colorful and various rituals with bangles jewelry that make every single guest dazzled and leave many teary-eyes.

How Chura can be defined?

One such essential ritual that is historically part of a Punjabi wedding ceremony is the wedding chura and kalire rite. Chooda or Chura is bangles set and kalire are the exquisite add-ons that hang from the bangles. Designed mostly in white and red, numerous brides today switch the red bangles for different hues. But, the bridal chura is commonly made only from the combination of two colors.

The emotional ceremony of Chura

The Chura is worn in a ceremony held on the morning of the wedding. The paternal uncle and aunt present the Chura for the bride and wear it on her hand. Kalire is an umbrella fashioned accessory that gets hung on the bridal chura. Generally, the sisters and friends of the bride tie the kalire on ladies bangles. The bride wears it for more than a month. After a month, the husband performs a ritual in which he removes the Punjabi chuda for her.

Importance of Chura for new brides

While it is a part of a Punjabi wedding, this ritual is now practiced by various other communities. The bridal bangles are assumed to strengthen the relationship between the couple, and the shade red indicates prosperity and fertility.

The kaleere is a reminder of the soft love and care a bride has acquired from her pals and own family, as she embarks on a brand new journey. The bridal chura is now available in various alternatives: colors, textures, patterns, materials, whatever you like you can get it.

Take a look at the latest chura bangles design and styles that has been getting popular among most of the brides recently.

1)   Embellish with the stones of Kundan

Now, add a few charm and glitter on your conventional Chura by way of choosing ones adorned with Kundan stones. Those look good on images, and the stones are certain to match the flicker of joy in your eye.

2)   Customized Chura with the couples name

There is something to be said for the beauty of customized bangles that make them unique from others. Now, proclaim your new marital status by means of carrying a Punjabi Chura churi together with your name engraved on it.

3)   Chura with a theme

How about deciding a specific theme for your bangles? You’ll find several ones like lamps, peacocks on them. Pick the one that you like and make it look classy with your outfit.

4)   Make it look glamorous with gold

Add an exquisite gold plated bangles with stones along with the Chura for it to look unique. The idea will make the Chura look elegant and classy.

Conclusion

Latest Chura design offers a lot of freedom as well as flexibility to the newly-wed brides. Flaunt your Chura proudly as the new bride.