The Events

Gor Khavanu / Thaka (15th June 2008)

The Gujaratis call it Gor Khavanu and the Punjabis call it Thaka but what it simply means is that the boy and girl are “booked” and they give their commitment to get married to each other. Their parents will look no further to find them a life partner.

It’s a simple ceremony where the boy and girl are fed with mithai (Indian sweets) and given blessings and gifts from both the families.

Sagai / Mangni (20th December 2008)

The engagement celebrations begin with the tikka or sagan ceremony, in which the boy’s family carry beautifully wrapped gifts and the tikka material: a silver tray with a few grains of rice and saffron in a tiny silver bowl. The father of the girl applies ‘tikka’ on his son-in-law’s forehead and gives him his blessings and some money. In return, the girl’s family receives baskets of sweets, fruits and gifts.

Nowadays the tikka ceremony is usually combined with the engagement. First, the girl is draped with a chunni (stole), which is usually very ornate. In some families this chunni is a family heirloom, passed down from generation to generation. She is also presented with jewellery, which her mother and sister-in-law help her wear. A tiny dot of mehendi is applied to her palm for good luck, and the function is sealed with the exchange of rings. Everyone present congratulates the couple by feeding them sweet and giving gifts.