Significance Of Chooda And Kalire

India is known for its diversity in people, their dressing sense, culture, food, faith, believes, values etc. Weddings are indeed one of the most beautiful moments of a couples life. Just like that Indian wedding are also very diverse. Weddings vary based on religion, the community. Sometimes on the personal preferences of the bride and groom. Weddings are like any other festive occasions in India. They are celebrated with great enthusiasm, fun, extensive decorations, colour, music, dance, costumes and rituals.

In Sikhs and Punjabis, there is one most essential ceremony known as “Chooda and kalire rasam”. The ceremony is held in the morning or afternoon time on the wedding day.

What is Chooda?

Chooda is an important part of a Punjabi bride’s solah shringar. It is also known as " Suhag Chooda". This is one of the most evident marks of a new bride. Chooda is basically a set of 42 bangles [ 21 bangles are worn in each hand] and is usually red and white. Sometimes the red bangles are replaced with another colour, but it is comprised of only two colours.

Earlier chooda was made from elephant tusks but nowadays they are made up of plastic or glass.

Why it is worn?

It is said that wearing Chooda brings good luck for the newlyweds. A bride wears Chooda for her husband just like a Hindu bride wears Mangalsutra [Wedding Band] and Sindoor. Apart from that, Chooda is red and red is considered a very special yet important colour for any Indian bride as it reinforces the bond between a couple. A bride has to wear her Chooda for a minimum of 40 days, but she can also wear it for 1.5 years as per her wish.

When is it worn and by whom?

The chooda is put on the bride’s wrist by her “Maternal Uncle”. Some people believe that the bride should not see her Chooda before the wedding as it is inauspicious. So, they primarily cover the bride's eyes while it's being put on her wrist and after that, her choora is covered either by some ornamental piece of cloth. Or nowadays with Chooda covers which are available nowadays.

Chooda Rasam

On the wedding morning, after the bride has bathed in milk, the chooda ceremony is performed. After that, the chooda is put into “Kachhi Lassi” [ milk and water together] and rose petals and washed. After the chooda is put into a bowl of “kachhi Lassi”, the maternal uncle starts putting it on the bride's wrist and following, maternal uncle’s wife and then the brothers can continue with this custom. All the close relatives touch the chooda as a mark of their blessings.

Nowadays there is a colossal variety of Chooda available in the market. Brides can now select different colours like pink, maroon, orange, white of their Chooda to match it with their Bridal Lehengha. The classic Chooda had red dots on the white bangles but now embellished rhinestones and Swarovski are also readily available. Last but not the least Customized Chooda. You can now customise the chooda your way. Either you can get it with bride and grooms name on it or with pictures of the bride and groom.

The bride cannot remove her Chooda herself. There is a small ritual called ” Chooda wadhana” (Removal of chooda). The husband's sister or the bride's sister in law can only remove the Chooda and then some gifts have been given to her by a bride. If a bride wishes to wear the Chooda for a long time, then the sister in law will remove only two bangles from each hand and put it back on her hand. The bride can wear her Chooda whenever she wishes to like on her wedding anniversary or any other special occasion.

Kalires

Kalirees are the umbrella-shaped hangings which signify contentment for the newlyweds and never-ending love between the couple. Also, another significance of Kalire is to provide good wishes to the bride and to remind her of the sweet memories of her cousins and friends whom she is going to leave after getting wedded. The coconut shape of the Kalire is significant to the fact that the bride will never run out of food in the new home. While the metal symbolises wealth and affluence.

Initially, the Kaliras was made up of dry coconut and makhana that are encrusted with dried beetle nuts, dry fruits and cardamom. The modern kaliras are made of metal and studded with rhinestones and other gems and stones.

When is it worn & whom?

Kaliras are worn right after the Chooda ceremony when the bride is dressed up in her bridal wear. Kaliras are given to the bride by the bridesmaids, friends or close relatives as a gift. Then they are tied on the bride's wrist. The bride then shakes them on the heads of all the unmarried friends and sisters. It is believed that if any part of the kalire drops on the head of any girl, then she will get married soon.

What to do with them?

You can save them in their box or the bride can also use them as decor in the house. Some people hang the Kalire in their bedrooms and tie the threads of the Chooda under the bed. Whereas some leave the Chooda to float onto the holy river Ganga.