The significance and difference between mehndi and sangeet, the two most talked-about Indian pre-wedding events.
Of course, marriages are fun, unless you are the one who is managing it. There will be colourful, joyful pre-wedding events ahead of the marriage, where people not just take part in the events but also bring back their events’ recap. Among those pre-wedding events, sangeet and mehndi are the most talked-about events. Let’s dig deep into the events’ significance and difference.
What is a sangeet ceremony?
The Sanskrit term sangeet means “sung together.” Sangeet is originally celebrated in Punjab and the northern states, but in recent days it is being adopted by the people of all other regions of the country.
Garba is a form of a Gujarati dance, originated from the Sanskrit word Garbha. It is a Gujarati pre-wedding ceremony. Garba and Sangeet are both pre-wedding ceremonies being celebrated in different regions, but both of them include folk songs and the dance.
What is the significance and theme of the Sangeet Ceremony?
It is an event to break the ice between the bride’s and groom’s families. It is an opportunity to get to know each other and form a healthy relationship. In the traditional sangeet ceremony, only female attendees will attend the event and sing folk songs. Fascinating folk songs are sung, and people will dance on the beats of dhol and enjoy the moment. However, at sangeet these days, people dance on the floor to Bollywood songs and have fun.
When to celebrate Sangeet?
Traditionally, sangeet was celebrated for several days, probably up to 10. In recent days it is being celebrated for a day in order to fit all the events in a week of a marriage and celebrated before the wedding.
What is the Mehndi Ceremony?
It is believed that the history of mehndi practice can be traced to ancient Egypt and the Middle East, where it was believed that henna had the power to heal many ailments, and it has been integrated into Indian wedding traditions. The application of mehndi on the hands and legs of the bride the night before the wedding will be celebrated as Mehndi ceremony. It is being accepted by most of the regions of our country.
What is the significance and theme of the Mehndi Ceremony?
Mehndi has a cooling property that will reduce the bride’s stress ahead of the new beginning of her life. Mehndi, or henna, will be applied on both palms of the bride up to the elbow and legs till the knee.
The fun part is that it is being said that the colour of the mehndi on the hand of the bride depends upon how much the groom loves the bride. While applying henna, the name of the groom will be written and hidden in between the designs, and it is a challenge for the groom to find his name and vice versa.
When to celebrate the Mehndi ceremony?
The Mehndi celebration to be held the night before the wedding night, wishing the bride good luck and prosperity. However, it can be celebrated according to the family’s preferences, keeping in mind that it will serve as a pre-wedding ceremony.
The difference between sangeet and mehndi is that, in sangeet, it is all about songs and dance, whereas mehndi is an event to apply mehndi to the bride and the close relatives. The main difference is that sangeet will be more energetic, while the mehndi is calmer.
Conclusion:
Even though Sangeet and Mehndi are separate events, most families prefer to celebrate both on the same day in order to save time and money and have a bigger party. Mehndi also serves as a second sangeet, as in recent days, as people dance on the music and enjoy. Therefore, the family’s preferences determine how these pre-wedding events are celebrated in order to make the wedding hassle-free.