Haldi is the pre-wedding ritual where family members smear a turmeric paste on the bride and groom and bless them. The Hindu American Foundation describes it as a ritual in which a mixture of turmeric, oil and water is applied to both the bride and groom before the wedding, with family members offering their blessings.
Haldi is the Hindi word for turmeric, हल्दी. Say it "HUL-dee".
Which traditions use it
- Hindu weddings. The Hindu American Foundation lists haldi, also called pithi (the Gujarati term), as one of the two most common pre-wedding ceremonies, alongside the mehndi. Rituals vary by region and family.
- Sikh and Punjabi weddings. The same idea appears as vatna during the maiyan days. The Apna Virsa heritage project describes a paste of barley flour, turmeric and mustard oil, followed by a ritual bath.
- Pakistani weddings. The turmeric paste, ubtan, is applied at the mayun.
- Bangladeshi weddings. The gaye holud, meaning "turmeric on the body", is often a large event in its own right.
So a mixed or multi-faith wedding may have a turmeric ritual under several names. Ask each family what they call theirs before you print the programme.
When it happens
In the days just before the wedding, often the day before or the morning of. Traditionally it is held at home, separately for the bride and the groom, with close family and friends. Many UK families now hold a styled haldi at home or in a garden, with a small seating area, marigolds and music.
Vendors involved
Haldi is usually small, but couples often book:
- a decorator for a marigold backdrop or seating area;
- a photographer, because the colour makes striking pictures;
- a caterer or a simple home menu;
- a dhol player or a playlist.
Tell your photographer to bring protection for their kit, and warn your venue or neighbours about turmeric stains. Our questions to ask your decorator and questions to ask your photographer sheets help. Browse vendors by city from locations.
Common spellings
Haldi, haldi ceremony, pithi (Gujarati), vatna or maiyan (Punjabi), ubtan and mayun (Urdu), gaye holud (Bengali).
Planning tip. Plan the haldi before the hair and makeup trials, not after, and leave time for the bride and groom to wash off the paste properly.
Questions
In the days before the wedding, often the day before or the morning of. It is usually held separately at each family's home, for the bride and for the groom.
Yellow is traditional, and old or washable clothes are sensible, because turmeric stains. Some families give guests a dress code, so check the invitation.
They are close cousins. Both involve applying a turmeric paste before the wedding. Haldi is the usual term at Hindu weddings; mayun is the usual term at Pakistani weddings, where it also marks the bride staying at home before the wedding.
Related terms: mayun · mehndi · sangeet · vidaai
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