Breastfeeding the groom to brothers marrying same bride: 'Unusual' wedding rituals practised across India

While the Jodidara tradition is stirring up curiosity, India is a multi-cultural country and has many languages, religion and customs. With its various religious and caste communities, each follows its own remarkable traditions, here we take a look at some of the 'bizarre' and one-of-a-kind wedding practices still being followed in India.

Jodidara

A traditional form of fraternal polyandry, where multiple brothers share one wife. This practice has deep historical roots among the Hatti tribe in Himachal Pradesh's Trans-Giri region.

Saptapadi

In a Hindu Bengali wedding, the bride and groom's mothers typically do not participate in the marriage or saptapadi, as it is thought their presence could adversely affect the couple's marital life.

Throwing Tomatoes

In the tribal culture of Uttar Pradesh, the groom’s arrival is marked by tomatoes being thrown at him, not the usual flowers. This odd custom is based on the belief that a marriage beginning with such a strange and unexpected gesture will ultimately blossom into deep love and affection between the newlyweds.

Just exchange the garland

In Assam, a wedding is marked by the simple exchange of garlands between the bride and groom, after which they are considered officially married. The ceremony concludes with a grand feast.

Kasi Yatra

In South Indian Brahmin families, there is a ritual where just moments before the muhurtham the groom is allowed to reconsider his decision and become a sanyasi. After a thorough discussion on the significance of marriage and his responsibilities in 'Grihasthashram,' he reconsiders and agrees to take his place at the altar.

Kumbh Vivah

If a bride is considered 'Manglik,' then she is asked to marry a peepal tree or a dog before tying the knot with a human. This odd superstition holds that if the bride doesn't perform this ritual, it will lead to the death of either the bride or groom post-marriage.

Nga-thaba

As part of the traditional Manipuri wedding, the bride and groom set free two fish in a pond. If the fish swim in the same direction, it’s seen as a positive sign.

Breastfeeding the groom

The practice of a mother breastfeeding her son on his wedding day, sometimes referred to as "breastfeeding the groom," is a specific cultural ritual, not a common or expected part of most weddings. It is a symbolic act in some Rajasthani wedding traditions where the groom's mother performs a final feeding of her son before he embarks on married life.