| This article is part of a series on |
| Odisha |
|---|
 |
| Governance |
| Topics |
|
Districts Divisions |
| GI Products |
 India portal |
Bahaghara (Odia: ଓଡ଼ିଆ ବାହାଘର, also called as Odia Hindu wedding) is a wedding ceremony performed by Odia Hindu people in the Indian state of Odisha. There are subtle differences in the rites observed by different castes. In Odia marriage rituals, the mother of the bridegroom does not take part in the ceremony. The Utkala Brahmins have their weddings only in the daytime, preferably at midday or in the morning, while the other caste weddings are done during the evening or night. There is the custom of sending betel nuts to family friends for inviting them to the marriage. The first invitation is sent to the family deity as a respect to the lord.[1] Marriages in Odisha are mostly fixed and arranged by the parents. Marriages for serving or capturing is not common.
Traditionally, widow remarriage is allowed in some lower caste, in this case the younger brother is allowed to marry the deceased brother's wife. [citation needed] (The social stigma of widows remarrying is still prevalent in the Odia society )[2]
The marriage happens in three major rituals, Nirbandha (fixing the marriage), Bahaghara (wedding) and Chauthi (Chaturthi) (consummation). A marriage is not considered complete or valid until consummation. These rituals are performed either at the Duara (bride's house) or Tola kanias house (the bridegroom's residence).[3]
- ^ Arun S. Roy (21 April 2005). Marriage Customs And Ceremonies in World Religions. Trafford. ISBN 978-1-4120-3848-5. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ "Why Widow Remarriage Is Still An Anathema?". odishabytes. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
- ^ Kumar Suresh Singh; Anthropological Survey of India (1993). The scheduled castes. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-0-19-563254-5. Retrieved 15 May 2012.