Quick Answer
What is ponkhvu?
Ponkhvu is the Gujarati ritual welcome performed by the bride's mother (or a senior female relative) when the groom arrives at the wedding venue — an aarti-style greeting with a plate of items, often including a playful, teasing element such as the groom being made to endure a light tug-of-war or good-natured mock resistance before being let in.
Last updated:
Last updated:
What is ponkhvu?
Also called: ponkhana, groom welcome ritual (Gujarati).
Ponkhvu is where a Gujarati wedding's formality gives way to genuine fun — the groom, having just arrived, is met at the door not just with a ceremonial welcome but with a bit of playful teasing from the bride's mother before he is finally let through to the mandap.
In Gujarati — ગુજરાતીમાં
પોંખવું એ ગુજરાતી લગ્નમાં કન્યાની માતા દ્વારા વરરાજાનું વેન્યુના પ્રવેશદ્વારે કરવામાં આવતું ઔપચારિક સ્વાગત છે, જેમાં આરતી ઉતારવામાં આવે છે. આ સાથે ઘણીવાર રમૂજી છેડછાડ પણ હોય છે — જેમ કે વરરાજાનો કાન આમળવો અથવા હળવી મજાકમાં તેને થોડી વાર રોકવો — પછી જ તેને મંડપ તરફ જવા દેવામાં આવે છે. આ વિધિ ગંભીર ઔપચારિકતાને બદલે લગ્નના સૌથી આનંદદાયક અને ફોટોજેનિક પળોમાંની એક ગણાય છે.
What happens during ponkhvu
- •The bride's mother waits at the venue entrance with a plate for an aarti-style welcome, similar in spirit to ovalane/griha pravesh welcomes in other traditions.
- •A playful, teasing element is common — the groom may be made to twist his ear, or face light-hearted mock resistance before being allowed in.
- •After the ritual welcome, the groom is escorted to the mandap for the main ceremony.
Coordinate arrival timing with the welcome party
Weddingkart lets your team send a quick WhatsApp update the moment the groom's procession is minutes away, so the welcome party is ready.
See WhatsApp announcements →Frequently Asked Questions
Who performs ponkhvu?
Typically the bride's mother, or a senior female relative if she is unavailable.
Is the playful teasing part of ponkhvu meant seriously?
No — it is a lighthearted, affectionate custom, not a genuine obstacle, and is one of the more fun, photogenic moments of the wedding day.
Related
By Mayank JaiswalLast updated