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{{short description|Part of the Bengali wedding ceremony, involving turmeric}}
{{short description|Part of the Bengali wedding ceremony, involving turmeric}}
'''Gaye holud''' ({{Lang-bn|গায়ে হলুদ}} lit: "yellow/[[turmeric]] on the body") or Gatro Horidra (গাত্র-হরিদ্রা) is a ceremony observed mostly in [[Bangladesh]] and in neighboring Indian state of [[West Bengal]], [[Tripura]] & [[Assam]] by all [[Bengalis]] regardless of their religion.
{{italic title}}
[[File:A prparation for Gaye holud.JPG|thumb|Paste of turmeric prepared for ''gaye holud'' ceremony|250px]]
'''''Gaye holud''''' ({{Langx|bn|গায়ে হলুদ}} lit: "yellow/[[turmeric]] on the body") or '''''gatro horidra''''' ({{Langx|bn|গাত্র-হরিদ্রা|label=none}}) is a wedding ceremony observed by [[Bengalis]].<ref name="kk12Dec2018" />


[[File:Gaye Holud, Dhaka, Bangladesh, JBI.jpg|thumb|Gaye Holud in [[Dhaka]], [[Bangladesh]]|250px]]
It is part of an elaborate series of celebrations constituting a Bengali wedding. The ''gaye holud'' takes place prior to the religious and legal wedding ceremonies. The ''gaye holud'' may be a joint event for the bride and groom's families, or it may consist of separate events for the bride's family and the groom's family.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
 
[[File:Gaye-Holud ceremony of Bengali groom.jpg|thumb|Gaye Holud ceremony in [[West Bengal]], [[India]]|250px]]
 
It is part of an elaborate series of celebrations constituting the [[Bengalis|Bengali]] wedding. The gaye holud takes place prior to the religious and legal Bengali wedding ceremonies. The gaye holud may be a joint event for the bride and groom's families, or it may consist of separate events for the bride's family and the groom's family.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bangladeshi wedding traditions: Gaye Holud|url=http://www.thebdbride.com/2014/07/bangladeshi-wedding-traditions-gaye.html?m=1|website=The BD Bride}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=December 2020}}


== Ceremonial process ==
== Ceremonial process ==
Separate events are held for the bride's gaye holud, the groom's family - minus the groom himself - go in procession to the bride's home. They carry with them the bride's wedding outfit and jewelry, wedding decorations such as the turmeric paste ({{Lang-bn|হলুদ}} ''holud'') , cosmetics, sweets and other gifts. [[henna]] ({{Lang-bn|মেহেদি or মেহেন্দি}} ''mehedi''/''mehendi'') also get brought in Muslim Bengali families, though the Hindu and Christian Bengali brides also decorate their palms these days with mehendi or henna. They also bring fresh fish decorated nicely like a wedding groom or bride, or desserts molded to resemble fish. The procession traditionally centers on the bride's (younger) female relatives and friends, who traditionally dress in matching clothes. The bride, her attendees, and all the guests traditionally wear red, yellow, orange, or green clothing. Nowadays, other colours are also permitted for gaye holud guests. The guests then enjoy a feast, including music, dance and some performances, arranged by the bride's family.
[[File:Gaye Holud, Dhaka, Bangladesh, JBI.jpg|thumb|Gaye holud in [[Dhaka]], [[Bangladesh]]|250px]]
 
[[File:Gaye-Holud ceremony of Bengali groom.jpg|thumb|Gaye holud ceremony in [[West Bengal]], India|250px]]
[[File:A prparation for Gaye holud.JPG|thumb|Paste of turmeric prepared for Gaye holud ceremony|250px]]
The bride is seated on a dais and the turmeric paste is applied by the guests to her face and body. Sweets are then fed to the bride by all the guests and attendants, piece by piece.<ref name="kk12Dec2018">{{Cite news |script-title=bn:একালের গায়ে হলুদ |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/shuvo-bibaho/2018/12/12/713802 |work=Kaler Kantho |date=12 December 2018 |language=bn |access-date=3 September 2021}}</ref> In some families, [[henna]] is used to decorate her hands and feet with elaborate abstract designs.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} During this ceremony, it is customary for the families to exchange gifts. The turmeric used in the ritual typically comes from the groom’s home, along with other elaborately adorned gifts known as ''tattwa'' (তত্ত্ব), presented by the groom’s family to the bride’s family. These gifts—often including fish (especially [[ilish]]), sweets, and clothing—are not to be confused with [[dowry]]; their significance lies in the intricate artistry of their decoration rather than the monetary value.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-12-31 |title=Bengali Wedding : Tatta (Gift Giving) Demystified |url=https://thediaryofamadbride.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/bengali-wedding-tatta-gift-giving-demystified/ |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=The Diary of A Mad Bride |language=en}}</ref>
 
The bride is seated on a dais and the turmeric paste is applied by the guests to her face and body. Turmeric is known to cleanse, soften and brighten the skin, giving the bride's skin the distinctive yellow hue that gives its name to this ceremony. The sweets are then fed to the bride by all the guests and attendants, piece by piece.<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:একালের গায়ে হলুদ |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/shuvo-bibaho/2018/12/12/713802 |work=Kaler Kantho |language=bn}}</ref> In Muslim Bengali families the henna is used to decorate her hands and feet with elaborate abstract designs.  
 
The groom's gaye holud comes next, and has the same form as the bride's holud ceremony. In this ceremony, the bride does not participate. The groom is accompanied by his male relatives and friends, and as with the bride's ceremony, the guests traditionally wear red, yellow, green, or orange clothing. The bride's family brings the gifts for the groom (usually the wedding outfit and some grooming items, along with the turmeric and other gifts) to his house. The guests exchange sweets with and apply turmeric paste to the groom, and a feast (with food, music, dance, and various cultural performances) is arranged for the guests from the groom's family. Unlike the bride, the groom does not get henna applied to his body; henna is only applied to the bride in Muslim Bengali families and perhaps also some of her younger female attendants.


== Popularity of the custom ==
== Popularity of the custom ==
Although similar ceremonies exist in other parts of the Indian subcontinent, the gaye holud is a custom particular to the Bengali people. It is not considered a religious function, as it is celebrated by Muslims, Hindus, and Christians in both Bangladesh and Indian state of West Bengal and wherever Bengalis live irrespective of religion. Although it is considered a part of the Bengali wedding tradition, the couple is not considered married at the end of the gaye holud. There is no legal marriage performed during this ceremony. Unlike the wedding ceremonies, the gaye holud is not a formal or extravagant event; both guests and bridal party members dress more simply and decorate the venue less intricately than at the wedding ceremonies.<ref>{{cite Banglapedia|article=Gaye Halud|author=Akhter, Shahida|article-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Gaye_Halud}}</ref>
Although similar ceremonies exist in other parts of the Indian subcontinent, the ''gaye holud'' is a custom particular to the Bengali people. It is not considered a religious function, as it is celebrated by Muslims, Hindus, and Christians in both Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal and wherever Bengalis live, irrespective of religion. Although it is considered a part of the Bengali wedding tradition, the couple is not considered married at the end of the ''gaye holud''. There is no legal marriage performed during this ceremony. Unlike the wedding ceremonies, the ''gaye holud'' is not a formal or extravagant event; both guests and bridal party members dress more simply and decorate the venue less intricately than at the wedding ceremonies.<ref>{{cite book |last=Akhter |first=Shahida |year=2012 |chapter=Gaye Halud |chapter-url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Gaye_Halud |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref>


==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
<gallery mode="packed">
 
File:Fish Holud.jpg|The groom's family members often bring fish decorated as a wedding couple to the bride's gaye holud
File:Gaye Holud Bangladesh.jpg|Gaye Holud from Bangladesh
File:Wedding Photography of Bangladesh.jpg|Girls are dancing in Bangladeshi gaye holud ceremony
File:Fish Holud.jpg|The groom's family members often bring fish decorated as a wedding couple to the bride's Gaye Holud
File:Gaye holud, RAOWA Convention Hall.jpg|A girl is dancing in her Gaye Holud
File:Wedding Photography of Bangladesh.jpg|Girls are dancing in Bangladeshi Gaye Holud Ceremony
</gallery>
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Wedding in Bangladesh]]
* [[Mayian]]
* [[Culture of Bangladesh]]
* [[Culture of West Bengal]]


== References ==
== References ==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commonscat|Gaye holud}}
{{Commons category|Gaye holud}}
 
*{{Banglapedia}}


{{Bengali wedding}}
{{Bengali wedding}}
{{Indian wedding}}
{{Indian wedding}}


[[Category:Bengali culture]]
[[Category:Culture of Bengal]]
[[Category:Culture of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Indian wedding traditions]]
[[Category:Indian wedding traditions]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi wedding traditions]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi wedding traditions]]

Latest revision as of 23:14, 6 April 2025


Paste of turmeric prepared for gaye holud ceremony

Gaye holud (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist. lit: "yellow/turmeric on the body") or gatro horidra (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is a wedding ceremony observed by Bengalis.[1]

It is part of an elaborate series of celebrations constituting a Bengali wedding. The gaye holud takes place prior to the religious and legal wedding ceremonies. The gaye holud may be a joint event for the bride and groom's families, or it may consist of separate events for the bride's family and the groom's family.[citation needed]

Ceremonial process[edit | edit source]

Gaye holud in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Gaye holud ceremony in West Bengal, India

The bride is seated on a dais and the turmeric paste is applied by the guests to her face and body. Sweets are then fed to the bride by all the guests and attendants, piece by piece.[1] In some families, henna is used to decorate her hands and feet with elaborate abstract designs.[citation needed] During this ceremony, it is customary for the families to exchange gifts. The turmeric used in the ritual typically comes from the groom’s home, along with other elaborately adorned gifts known as tattwa (তত্ত্ব), presented by the groom’s family to the bride’s family. These gifts—often including fish (especially ilish), sweets, and clothing—are not to be confused with dowry; their significance lies in the intricate artistry of their decoration rather than the monetary value.[2]

Popularity of the custom[edit | edit source]

Although similar ceremonies exist in other parts of the Indian subcontinent, the gaye holud is a custom particular to the Bengali people. It is not considered a religious function, as it is celebrated by Muslims, Hindus, and Christians in both Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal and wherever Bengalis live, irrespective of religion. Although it is considered a part of the Bengali wedding tradition, the couple is not considered married at the end of the gaye holud. There is no legal marriage performed during this ceremony. Unlike the wedding ceremonies, the gaye holud is not a formal or extravagant event; both guests and bridal party members dress more simply and decorate the venue less intricately than at the wedding ceremonies.[3]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 একালের গায়ে হলুদ. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 12 December 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  2. "Bengali Wedding : Tatta (Gift Giving) Demystified". The Diary of A Mad Bride. 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  3. Akhter, Shahida (2012). "Gaye Halud". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Bengali wedding