Talking about weddings... must not miss an Assamese wedding for sure. An Assamese biya is a very traditional one and must be seen at least once in lifetime. The most peculiar features of an Assamese wedding include uluni. Uluni is a sound made by rolling the tongue inside the mouth. This activity is done by ladies. Second unique feature of an Assamese wedding is biya naam which is traditional wedding song.

The wedding starts with juran ceremony, which is generally held 2 days before the wedding. In this, the groom’s family visits the bride’s house. The bride’s mother welcomes the groom’s family with an xhorai which is a brass plate which has a stem, and contains betel nut and betel leaves covered with a gamocha, a cloth woven specially for the wedding.

The main function tel diya starts then after welcoming the groom’s family. On the parting of the bride’s hair, the groom’s mother then places betel and a ring. Then she pours the oil on the betel for three times. She then puts sindoor and gifts her with all the gifts which are a part of her wedding. She gifts her mekhla chadar, which is traditional Assamese dress for woman that is a two piece silk-cloth.

On the final day of wedding, the bride and groom bathe at their respective houses. They are supposed to take the bath with the water their mother brings from a river or a pond nearby. This is called Pani Tolla.

Assamese wedding also takes place at night time. The bride and groom adorn themselves with flowers. Then the couple performs ceremonial rituals around the sacred fire. Finally the groom puts sindoor on the bride’s forehead. At the end of the all the wedding rituals Prasad (holy food) is served to everyone present. And finally bride heads towards her new happy married life.