A Roka ceremony, the very first event held in a Punjabi wedding. Without the ‘roka’ function, none of the families shall announce their children’s wedding to anyone else. What is the Roka Ceremony? And what exactly happens in it. We have all that you need to know about ‘Roka’.
What is a Roka Ceremony?
The first and foremost thing that you need to know about a Roka ceremony, has to be the significance of the event. This marks the beginning of a beautiful wedding ceremony. With the Roka Ceremony, two families finalized the weddings of their children. The event is quite a bit important, for either of the families. Many would say that the ceremony can be celebrated in much less glamour, but very few do so.
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Roka Ceremony Meaning
Roka is one of the most important rituals that happen prior to the wedding ceremony. Basically, the word roka means ‘prevention’. The groom’s family presents the bride’s to set their daughter’s hand in marriage to someone else. The roka is a kind of promise, between either of the families. That allows a beautiful marriage in the near future.
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Importance of Roka Ceremony
As mentioned before, ‘roka‘ is a union between two families. The Roka Ceremony meaning plays greater importance between the two families. The decision of marriage becomes official after the ceremony. Many other cultures like the Bengali call this, ‘Paka Dakha’. After the ceremony, the families are allowed to announce the marriage today to friends, relatives and neighbours.
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Organizing a Roka Ceremony:
The organization process of the ‘Roka’ is quite simple, but the significance of the ceremony is extremely crucial. Although there might not be a lot of people, you need to be prepared for at least some of your guests. A Roka Ceremony can have between 20 to 30 people at the most. So, you need to be prepared for hosting that many guests in the house.
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Venue for the Roka Ceremony
The venue for the ‘roka’ can be either in the Groom’s house, all even in the bride’s place. Now, culturally there aren’t any particular restrictions regarding the venue. But most of the families prefer it in the bride’s place. If a certain family has decided to take responsibility and rent a Banquet Hall, then that is a different path.
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Decoration for the Roka Ceremony
The decoration for a ‘Roka’ should be really simple and homely. The entire event is hosted between the families, so the wedding stage decoration out here should be really simple and plain. The house should be simple, and elegant at the same time. Like, the house should be neat and clean for the guests. The plain and simplicity of the household can be accentuated with some flower decorations and over wall hangings. Make use of your own furniture, and accentuate the look of the house.
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Food at a Roka Ceremony
The Food in such an intimate Roka ceremony is always very special. This can lie in between a family favourite meal, to as gorgeous as a traditional buffet. Dishes that are your community favourite, and you know that the guests would enjoy at your home ceremony. Do not forget to have enough desserts in the house, so that the people can enjoy their time with the utter good news of your wedding announcement.
Queries you might have about a Roka Ceremony:
Now, what stands important for a ‘Roka’ has to be the following things. These are some of the questions that you may still have about the ceremony. Although it is a really simple occasion, the ceremony is utterly important for the couple. Here, you go with some of the wedding Roka celebration questions.
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What to wear for the Roka Ceremony?
As it is the beginning of the wedding function, wearing something good for the glam is extremely important. The attire is extremely essential for the wedding ‘Roka’. Like, something that is adjustable to the occasion, as well as the couples location, venue and event theme.
For the Bride:
Saree:
A Saree can be of several types. Like, a Benarasi, Kanjivaram, Georgette, Chiffon, Nauveri, Paithani Silk Saree.
Lehenga Suit:
A simple cotton lehenga Suit that is appropriate for any daytime event. Basically, a lehenga choli can be worn for the Roka ceremony if it has simple embroideries and designs.
Patiala Suit:
The Colour of the Suit plays a big deal in the wedding event. Like, wearing some subtle colours for Patiala Suit.
Sharara Suit :
The classic Sharara for the Roka ceremony is quite common for Punjabi weddings. You can also wear this for your function.
For the Groom:
Pathani Suit :
The casual Pathani Suits are suitable for men. Applicable for any casual event in the house. The comfort is primarily available in this outfit combination, which is perfect for a Pathani suit.
Jodhpuri Suit :
The Jodhpuri Suit which is good for any ‘Roka’ needs to have embroidery and stitches on it. The Jodhpuri design is extremely basic but really elegant.
Sherwani Suit:
Colours like yellow, light blue, white, baby pink, red, orange and other pastel colours are suitable for any fabulous Sherwani Suit.
Kurta and Jeans:
This is the most casual outfit for Roka, but quite comfortable as well. The Kurta is light, airy and quite soft as well. Which is perfect for daytime events.
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What happens in a Roka Ceremony?
The top to the bottom procedure of the function is properly explained in the following points. You wouldn’t face much difficulty in understanding the different aspects of the Roka Ceremony like what happens in the ceremony and why it is so the significance of each part of the event is well explained in the following categories.
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Tilak ceremony
Now, what is a Tilak? Actual question too many outside India. This is a kind of mark or ‘bindi’ on the forehead with the help of vermilion powder, turmeric, sandalwood, and grains of rice. This is basically done to welcome the guests, or as a beginning symbol of any event. Basically, this is done in a ‘Roka’ as a symbol for what’s the beginning of married life. Also for the beautiful Holy significance.
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‘Ashirbad’ or Blessings
Each elder in the house gets to bless the couple. We put Tilak on the forehead, pour some rice grains and grass on the head, and bless the couple with gifts, money, and other small intricate items. There is not much exchange between the couple, but they receive plenty of presents from the family members, especially the bride.
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Giving the Bridal Dupatta or ‘Chunni’
Well, the mother-in-law or the mother of the groom, bridal dupatta on the head of the bride. This dupatta is red in colour and is highly embroidered with Silk threads and stones. The significance of this ‘Chunni’ is related to the Hindu religion, where the mother-in-law accepts the woman as her daughter-in-law.
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Sweets and Gifts
Finally, to set the tone of the event, the bride and groom are fed a lot of sweets and good foods. Get to receive a lot of gifts from the older ones. Like the groom’s father, gifts for the bride read some pieces of jewellery, attire, sweet boxes, money and other smaller items. This is exchanged between the elder ones and younger ones.
These were some of the information that is to be known about the Punjabi Roka ceremony. Apart from this, there are other smaller family events that differ from one family to another. This is enough for you to understand the Roka ceremony, and also its significance. To know more about weddings, and other smaller events visit CamYogi.
