Sakharpuda- The Sugar Sweet Celebration of Relationships

Every Indian wedding follows a trail of pre-wedding rituals and Maharashtrian wedding is no different. Though the wedding itself is a simple affair, the pre-wedding functions carry a lot of importance and are symbolic in nature. One such pre-wedding custom is Rupaya Naral-Sakharpuda, which is actually the engagement ceremony. The word literally means ‘worshipping with Sugar’ and as we take you through this ceremony, you will realise how ‘sweet’ it really gets! Though Sakharpuda is an intimate function yet the rules are changing and families are celebrating it with a lot of pomp and grandeur. Special invitation cards apart from the main are sent across to the guests as invite to Sakharpuda.

On the pre-designated day, bride and groom’s families assemble at the venue to conduct the ceremony of Sakharpuda. The groom’s family presents the bride with sugar and other gifts that may include shagun, jewellery etc. The bride’s family gives coconut and money as gift to the groom. The name of this ceremony has been derived from the gifts presented during the ritual-Rupaya for money, Naral for coconut and Shakhar for Sugar.

This ceremony also solemnises a verbal agreement between the families for getting the couple married on an auspicious date in the future.Sakharpuda is a very happy and joyous occasion. The couple is blessed by elders of both the families and to say congratulations, they put sugar in the couple’s mouth. One can only imagine, how much sugar rush the bride and groom go through by the time this celebration comes to an end. Many couples confess that by the time the engagement gets done with, they do not touch sweets until the wedding day!

It is usually during Sakharpuda, that a wedding date is decided. Thereafter both Bride and Groom’s families begin the hunt for perfect card amongst thousands of . We at KOC make this process simpler, easier and enjoyable with our online portal which has a humongous collection of cards. So visit us from the comfort of your home and click away to find your dream invitation amongst the wide range of available in our online store.

Muslim weddings have varied facets and practices that are typical to the community the families belong to. There is also influence of the countries and states the wedding takes place in. Especially carries heavy influence of the geography and culture. This is why the invites to a Muslim wedding vary widely from each other right from the colours to the patterns. Likewise various ceremonies of the wedding have also undergone a lot of change over the years and across continents. Some weddings are conducted in a complete orthodox set up whereas others may reflect modern ethos. However, one ceremony that is followed to its essence in all Muslim wedding is Mehr that takes place during the Nikah.

On the pre-assigned day families of bride and groom gatherfor solemnising the union of the couple in a holy bond. Nikah is usually presided by Quazi- a cleric who has the authority to conduct Nikah. There is a contract of marriage called Ijab-O-Qubool that is signed by the couple in presence of witnesses. This contract mentions the amount of Mehr- which is actually the sum of dowry that Groom’s side is obliged to present to Bride.

The amount of Mehr is basically the property of Bride. The reason why Mehr is given to the bride is very logical and impressive. The groom has parents who are his responsibility too and he needs to take care of their expenses as well. By giving Mehr to his wife, he keeps the specific amount at her disposal which she can spend the way she wants to!

Muslim weddings epitomise elegance in the way they are conducted. The actual nikah is a very sober and quiet ceremony. reflect the Islamic sensibilities in their design though they do not usually have religious motifs adorning them.Intricate work and patterns are very typical in the . Whatever be your taste or sensibilities, we at KOC make it all possible when it comes to choicest of wedding cards that impress and allure!

Wedding is the union of souls and in a Hindu Wedding the belief is that a man and woman are bound in this relationship to each other beyond their present lifetime. A very romantic idea indeed and the one that is at times mentioned in form of Sanskrit shlokas and verses in as well! There are various rituals and facets of a traditional and Vedic Hindu marriage and one we have chosen this time is – Dowry!

Dowry though illegal in India happens to be rampant in many cultures and usually frowned upon as well. However, it was started wayback by our ancestors as a form of goodwill and in good intent. Unfortunately the greed took over and spoilt the spirit of this practice in the modern times.

So, what really was the reason that dowry came into being?

In olden days, daughters were not given part of property because they would be married off and take on the name of another family. Since the customs required her to stay at her in-laws only, it anyways did not make sense to give her property that was located at her parent’s place. The solution to this issue was to give her an equivalent portion of money, jewellery and home needs as she moved to her new house. A wonderful way of giving a daughter her rightful inheritance.

However, with time dowry became something that the groom’s side would demand and bride’s side would fulfil. In some cultures there is acustom of “reverse” dowry and it is strangely referred to as the “Bride Price”! In mountains in the far north, the groom’s side would pay the Bride’s parents an agreed amount before the wedding. Again this custom has almost disappeared now.

After giving you this heart touching insight into a custom that has been turned into heinous crime, let us move on to more fun things about the wedding. We at KOC talk like none others! Our online shop lets you choose and order from the comfort of your home. If you are confused which we are sure you will be considering the huge collection of fabulous cards we have, do order for . Make up your mind, call us and place your order. As we always say “We would be Happy to oblige”!

Words like Prince Charming, the knight in shining armour are part of real life for some very lucky ladies. We are referring to Royal weddings that are known for their magnificence, exquisite drapes and ceremonies that are followed to the hilt! Since India is home to numerous Royal families, we would focus on the ones that are supremely pronounced even in the present times- theRajwarhas of Rajasthan.

Following the usual Hindu rituals, there is of course the horoscope matching which comes before the meeting of families. The run up to the wedding starts from choosing right that are handpicked after a painstaking process of selection and elimination. The haldi ceremony called Pithidastoor has a paste of turmeric and sandalwood smeared on bride and groom. Bride usually dresses up in orange or a similar bright coloured poshak for this ceremony. Mehfils form an indispensable part of royal weddings that have singers performing for men. Women perform the traditional ghoomar dance in mehfil of women. The old customs restricted women from royal clan to participate in thedance but well, times have changed now.

On the day of wedding the Bridegroom, all male guests and relatives wear turbans that are accessorised with a broach. Carrying the traditional sword as the part of wedding ensemble is customary. Kohl and tilak are considered indispensable before the baraat departs for the wedding venue. For most of the royal couples, the main wedding poshak is part of the family heirloom. Designers are engaged to recreate the old drapes giving them a modern touch that reflects traditional sensibilities in terms of fabric and work.

The most striking part of a Royal bride is her minimalistic make up and deeply ethnic look during the actual wedding ceremony. She wear rakhri- a circular gold adornment like a mangtika on her upper forehead, a choker around her neck called timniyan and choodha in her arms. The preferred colours of the wedding attire include red, maroon, yellow and gold. The modern touch to the wedding can be witnessed during pre-wedding functions and parties whereas wedding ceremony strictly adheres to time-honoured traditions and customs.

In the olden times, a spread of sweets and gifts would be sent along with the customised well-thought of invitation cards. Today too, the option of ordering exist and it is no longer the exclusive domain of the Royals. The cards available these days also mimic the of yester years that make an impressive style statement by themselves!

Just like its location, the wedding ceremonies of Maharashtra reflect a little bit of North and carry some nuances of a South Indian wedding; the result is joyfully unique. The engagement is referred to as the Sakhar Puda ritual. The bride is gifted a saree and sugar by the groom’s side. This marks the commitment of both the families towards the impending union.

Engagement is followed by selecting an auspicious day for the wedding. A typical Maharashtrian mentions pre-wedding ceremonies, main wedding and reception. The pre-wedding rituals begin with Kelvan- worshipping kuldevta to bless the wedding preparations and families involved. Haldi ceremony is conducted at both brides’ as well as groom’s place and is called Halad Chadavane.

The wedding day begins with an elaborate puja of Lord Ganesha-the Lord of ceremonies who usually adorns all of Hindu weddings. When the groom reaches the bride’s house, her parents wash groom’s feet and present him with Shagun and gifts. This ceremony is called Seemaan puja. In themandap the bride and groom must not look at each other before the auspicious shlokas have been chanted. To ensure this, a wide piece of cloth called Antarpat is placed between the couple. The characteristic rite of every Indian wedding- exchanging the garland is carried out ones antarpat has been removed. Unbroken rice grains smeared with haldi are showered on the couple in a Maharashtrian wedding. This custom bears semblance with South Indian wedding rituals.

Kanyadan followed by Lakshmi Narayan puja and Satapadhi ritual which is the Maharashtrian version of Saat Pheras binds the couple in a lifelong bond of a man and wife. In the end the bride’s father along with the newly married couple seek blessings for a happy and fruitful life. A Maharashtrian bride usually wears green saree and green glass bangles during the wedding ceremony and is not required to cover her head. The end of the ceremony is marked by Varat ritual where emotions run highas the bride leaves her maternal home.

At KOC, we have that can cover the entire wedding program or just parts of it as per your requirement. Just like you go to great lengths to make that wedding perfect, we make every endeavour to create a card that is made out of your dreams!

So, the date is set and Marriage Invitation Card has been selected with painstaking care. All that remains is the frantic preparation for the Day. Times are changing and so is the way our modern bridegroom dresses. If you think it is only bride whose ensemble takes forever to select and buy, then you could not be far removed from reality! These days there are eye popping varieties when it comes to the wedding attire for a man. Besides every event whether pre or post-wedding needs an outfit that sets the limelight right where it has to be- On the Bridegroom!

Have you observed a typical ? Similar Motifs, splash of colour and the richness of these cards can be seen reflected on the traditional wedding wear of the bridegroom. The striking feature of such an Indian wear is the sophistication and refinement they ooze. Usually Sherwanis are popular when it comes to the choice of wedding wear for men. However, they are being teamed up with Pajami, Salwar, Chudidars and Dhotis. Apart from Sherwanis, Bund Galaa and Pathani Suits are also making headway to mandaps these days.

The usual run up to the wedding includes a cocktail party right before the wedding. In fact Marriage Invitation Card mentions this event unless the family wants a separate card to be sent out. But cocktail parties are no longer about boring suits and bow ties. Extensive array of “Indianised” suits that are not only tasteful but also have an element of flamboyance are the flavour of the season. Indian Jackets and Indo-western wear also adds an element of style and finesse to the Bridegroom’s appearance.

A cluster of other important events that usually appear as the part of wedding function in includes Sangeet and Tilak. Lighter fabric with intricate work and detailing adorns the attire for these occasions. Pajama Kurta, Stylised Dhoti Kurta and Silk jackets make for an impressive style statement and they also exude loads of comfort and ease.

With a gorgeously dressed princess by his side on the most important day of his life, the Bridegroom has to go that extra mile tolook like a King himself. After all life partners also need to be partners when it comes to stunning the crowds!

Every Muslim wedding can be divided into three parts- The Engagement, Nikah and the Walima. Now in the real sense of the word, Walima can refer to a celebration or party following major event in one’s life which could range from house warming, start of a new business or even birth of a new born. It basically is a congregation and assembly of people for celebrating an event or occasion. However, it is now mostly associated with post wedding celebration. A usually mentions Walima as a part of wedding Celebration.

So what really is the importance of Walima? Walima can be equated with a wedding reception and just like reception it also takes place a day after the wedding. It is known for its grandeur in scale and lavish banquet that is laid out for the guests. Scholars differ in their opinion on the importance of Walima as such but mostly they all agree that it showcases the happy couple post-wedding. This occasion also presents an opportunity for all relatives to meet the bride. Some families get special Invitation Cards printed just for Walima especially if the nikah is intended to be an intimate ceremony with close relatives only.

A is incomplete without mentioning the date of Walima. It is also the most grand and opulent part of the muslim wedding. In olden days, a Walima would sometimes be spread over two days. There is an interesting observation in words of Messenger of Allah that a Walima spilling over to third day is a “Show off”! However, in today’s busy times and hectic lifestyle, Walima is usually a day’s affair at most.

With time the Muslim Wedding Invitation has also undergone changes. From being completely traditional, these now have splash of contemporary sensibilities. Some people prefer simple but aesthetically done up cards whereas others like them to be rich in appearance. We at KOC are proud to have a wide range of Muslim Wedding invitation which is sure to please everyone’s taste and preference. You want it simple, we give you sophisticated and if you want it luxurious we will add loads of class to it!

It is difficult to describe an Indian marriage in one word for it symbolizes so many aspects of beet soup borscht and of life and involves around so many rituals and each with a meaning of beets in soup and of its own. It is for this reason that is one of polish borscht recipes and of the most followed wedding styles in the world gaining a name for itself even in the west. Right from the onset of how to make beetroot soup and of distribution of roasted beet soup recipe and of to its culmination in Bidaai, an Indian fat wedding has a melee of how to make barszcz and of ceremonies and each with its distinct flavour.

When it comes to defining the most exciting thing in a marriage, it could be the meeting of best borscht recipe ever and of so many people and the union of borcht and of two families. When two different set of polish soup and of families with different perceptions come together, it also calls for understanding and flexibility to accept one another and it is this aspect which makes a marriage so beautiful. Coming back to marriage, as the bride and the groom exchange vows they are also endowed with the responsibility of beet root soup and of taking care of recipe for borscht and of each other for the rest of beet borscht and of their lives. This sweet ritual is certainly charming and calls for a greater belief in the institution of best borscht recipe ever and of marriage.

Marriages are solemnized in different ways in different parts of barszcz soup and of India but intrinsically they have similar rituals such as the Saat Pheras and the Sindur daan. Though every caste has their own version and several additions in the ceremonies, one can’t help but wonder how each of beetroot soup and of these rituals has a special significance in the lives of beet and leek soup and of the bride and the groom.

Indian marriages are known for their allure and that becomes evident right from the marriage invitation card that is sent to friends and relatives. So for all the folks who want to have their wedding cards as remarkable as them, King of healthy beet soup and of cards is the best place to visit. With the awesome assortment of what is borscht made out of and of cards for every occasion such as to , you will get cards for every occasion. Not only are the cards unique and trendy but they are customized for everyone’s budget. So go ahead and make your marriage a memorable one.

The beauty of Indian weddings is in its extravagance that shows how colourful we Indians are. Our rituals date back to the Vedic era and as one marriage is sanctified we witness how glorious it is with such beautiful meaning attached to every ceremony. Engagement ceremony is one such ceremony which is a herald for the weddings bells ringing for a couple and one of the foremost ceremonies in a wedding. Known as the sagai ceremony or ring exchange ritual or mangni in most parts of India, an engagement marks the official declaration of a nuptial tie between a man and a woman.

One of the most endearing ceremonies between the families of the prospective bride and groom, this event is no less in its opulence. The ceremony involves the exchange of rings between the bride and groom and what ensues is a small function where both the families exchange pleasantries and greet one another. The ring ceremony symbolises that the engaged parties are now sure to tie in a holy union.

During the ring ceremony would be bride receives lot of gifts from the prospective groom’s side. The wonderful goodies include makeup kit, dry fruits, jewellery, clothes and a lot of stuff that are considered auspicious. On the other hand, the groom is smeared with tilak or kumkum and loaded with beautiful gifts. In some cases the engagement ceremony is followed by a satyanarayana puja or a hawan in order to invite prosperity and felicity for the bride and groom.

Though called by different names in the diverse parts of India such as roka, mangni, asshirwad ceremony, chunni daan, a ring ceremony is one step towards the marital union of the couple. During the ring ceremony both families decide on the date of the marriage and go on to print the . In , usually there is no mention of engagement ceremony but people desirous of getting can find the best collection at King of cards. So go on indulge yourself and pamper your wishes as you step on the marriage threshold.

One of the few things that people look forward to in Indian weddings is reception for it has the glam, glitz, and of course good food. Reception ceremony usually holds the centrepiece in any , and its grandeur certainly gives it every right to hold so. After the culmination of marriage it is for the first time that all the relatives, friends and family members gather up and offer their token of loveto the brides and groom. Not to mention the newly married couple also gets a chance to exchange a few romantic glances at each other as they pose as the cynosure of the ceremony.

In Indian weddings, receptions are carefully planned and if one follows the current trend, the R.S.V.P is sent months before. The trend of going for theme based reception or destination reception is also increasing which reflects how obsessed we are for the great Indian fat wedding. Theme based or destination reception involve adding more drama to the wholeceremony where you can indulge in your creative chops and add more fun games or theme dressing for the guests. Though more prevalent among the elite class, this style of reception is gaining a stronghold in India. No wonder the has a mention of this extravagant affair long before so that the guests have adequate time for procuring the perfect costume.

The striking aspect of a reception is that everyone gets a chance to adorn themselves, wear opulent clothes and most entertainingly join in the crusade of dancers. A reception ceremony is incomplete without good music for that is what fills up the ambience of the place with a soothing delight. Though the ceremony marks the end of the whole marriage ceremony, it also marks the beginning of a new life for the ‘just married couple’. at King of cards have nice themes and designs for marriage reception so if any couple wants be a league different then they shall have a wide range of designs here. As they you only marry once, so make sure you fulfil all your wishes about it.