Quick Answer
What is ashirbad?
Ashirbad ("blessing") is a Bengali pre-wedding ceremony in which both families formally bless the bride and groom, offering gifts such as jewellery, clothing and sweets, confirming the match ahead of the wedding — held separately at each family's home or together, depending on family tradition.
Last updated:
Last updated:
What is ashirbad?
Also called: aashirbad ceremony, Bengali blessing ceremony.
Ashirbad is where the elders' blessing becomes formal and visible in a Bengali wedding — gifts exchanged, foreheads marked, and the bride and groom bowing to receive blessings from both families before the wedding festivities properly begin.
In Bengali — বাংলায়
আশীর্বাদ হলো বিয়ের আগে দুই পরিবারের একসঙ্গে বসে বর-কনেকে আশীর্বাদ করার একটি অনুষ্ঠান। এখানে দুই পরিবারের গুরুজনরা বর ও কনেকে গয়না, শাড়ি-পাঞ্জাবি আর মিষ্টি উপহার দিয়ে আশীর্বাদ করেন, যা বিয়ে পাকা হওয়ার আনুষ্ঠানিক স্বীকৃতি হিসেবে ধরা হয়। এটা কখনো দুই বাড়িতে আলাদা আলাদা ভাবে, আবার কখনো একসঙ্গে একই অনুষ্ঠানে হয়ে থাকে, পরিবারের রীতি অনুযায়ী।
What happens during ashirbad
- •Elders from both families bless the bride and groom, often marking their foreheads with sandalwood paste or vermilion.
- •Gifts — jewellery, clothing, sweets — are formally offered to the bride and groom as part of the blessing.
- •Can be held separately for the bride and groom at their respective homes, or combined into one event depending on the family.
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Is ashirbad the same for the bride and groom?
The core ritual — elders blessing the couple and offering gifts — is similar, though it can be held as two separate ceremonies (one at each family's home) or combined, depending on family preference.
When does ashirbad take place relative to the wedding?
Typically in the days leading up to the wedding, as one of the pre-wedding rituals, distinct from the wedding ceremony itself.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated