Gaye holud

Gaye holud (Bengali: গায়ে হলুদ lit: "yellow/turmeric on the body") or Gatro Horidra (গাত্র-হরিদ্রা) is a wedding ceremony observed by Bengalis.^[1]

It is part of an elaborate series of celebrations constituting a Bengali wedding. The gaye holud takes place prior to the religious and legal wedding ceremonies. The gaye holud may be a joint event for the bride and groom's families, or it may consist of separate events for the bride's family and the groom's family.^{[citation needed]}

Ceremonial process

Gaye Holud in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Gaye Holud ceremony in West Bengal, India

The bride is seated on a dais and the turmeric paste is applied by the guests to her face and body. Turmeric is known to have antimicrobial and soothing effects when applied to the skin, giving the bride a distinctive yellow hue that gives its name to this ceremony. The sweets are then fed to the bride by all the guests and attendants, piece by piece.^[1] In Muslim Bengali families, the henna is used to decorate her hands and feet with elaborate abstract designs.^{[citation needed]} During this ceremony, it is customary for the families to exchange gifts. The turmeric used in the ritual typically comes from the groom’s home, along with other elaborately adorned gifts known as tattwa (তত্ত্ব), presented by the groom’s family to the bride’s family. These gifts—often including fish (especially ilish), sweets, and clothing—are not to be confused with dowry; their significance lies in the intricate artistry of their decoration rather than the monetary value.^[2]

Popularity of the custom

Although similar ceremonies exist in other parts of the Indian subcontinent, the gaye holud is a custom particular to the Bengali people. It is not considered a religious function, as it is celebrated by Muslims, Hindus, and Christians in both Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal and wherever Bengalis live, irrespective of religion. Although it is considered a part of the Bengali wedding tradition, the couple is not considered married at the end of the gaye holud. There is no legal marriage performed during this ceremony. Unlike the wedding ceremonies, the gaye holud is not a formal or extravagant event; both guests and bridal party members dress more simply and decorate the venue less intricately than at the wedding ceremonies.^[3]

Gallery

A Bengali Muslim groom in his Gaye Holud
Gaye Holud from Bangladesh
The groom's family members often bring fish decorated as a wedding couple to the bride's Gaye Holud
A girl is dancing in her Gaye Holud
Girls are dancing in Bangladeshi Gaye Holud Ceremony

References

^ ^a ^b একালের গায়ে হলুদ. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 12 December 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
^ "Bengali Wedding : Tatta (Gift Giving) Demystified". The Diary of A Mad Bride. 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
^ Akhter, Shahida (2012). "Gaye Halud". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.

External links

[kk12Dec2018-1] একালের গায়ে হলুদ. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 12 December 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2021.

[2] "Bengali Wedding : Tatta (Gift Giving) Demystified". The Diary of A Mad Bride. 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2024-12-19.

[3] Akhter, Shahida (2012). "Gaye Halud". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.

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