An Axomiya (অশোমিয়) marriage is known as `Biya’ (িয়) in the native Assamese language. As in the case of a typical Hindu wedding in any other part of the county, an Assamese marriage has plenty of rituals prior to and after the wedding function. The rituals are simple but elegant. One of the distinct characteristics of an Assamese Hindu wedding is the traditional singing of the `Biya Naam’ (িয় ণাম) marriage song. A Hindu wedding in Assam could be considered a class apart from functions held in other states of India. The rituals could be described as colourful while being totally down to earth. This is mainly because the Axomiyas (অশোমিয়স) have always remained grounded to their customs, roots and rituals.

For the purpose of this article, the coverage would be on both Hindu and Muslim marriage customs. The Christian weddings are not distinct and different from ceremonies that are held in other states. Christians do no dominate the Assamese communities.

Assamese Hindu Wedding Rituals

Assamese Hindu Pre-Wedding Rituals

• - Aam Dali Gotha (আম ডলি জ্ঞোথ) – On the day of the engagement ceremony, every door of the bride’s house will have mango leaves tied in front of it. This is done to ward off negative energy from people entering the house (অম ডলি জ্ঞথিসু ডোৰ্জ খোত আৰি).

• Juroon - (ৰৰোন) - his is the engagement ceremony. The mother of the groom visits the bride’s house. The mother of the bride will greet her and gift her xhorai (ক্ষহোৰই), which is a brass plate with a stem. Oil is poured in this plate and it is followed by applying sindoor on the hair parting of the bride. The wedding trousseau is gifted and it includes ornaments and the famous `Mekhla Chadar’ (খল হদৰ) which is the traditional dress for women in Assam.

Assamese Hindu Wedding Rituals

• Pani Tula - (পনি টুল) - Rituals for an Assamese Hindu wedding start with the famous ceremonial bath of the groom and the bride. Their respective mothers will visit the nearest river to their house and collect holy water for this ceremony. This water is fetched in a pot and they pray to the Jolodebota (জদেবোত) – the god of water. The groom and the bride are then bathed with this holy water along with halodhi (হaলোৈ) and maah (মাহ).

• Arrival of the Groom – (অঋৱল ওফ থে জ্ঞ্ৰূম) - TThe procession of the groom enters into the home of the bride after paying a token sum demanded by the relatives of the bride. The parents of the bride then welcome the groom and his entourage. Relatives of the bride then wash the feet of the groom to give him the same respect as a Debota (god) (দেবোত).

• Wedding Ceremony – (ৱেদদিং চেৰেমোনয়) -After the groom’s feet have been washed, he is lifted up by one of the bride’s relatives and taken to the wedding hall. The groom has to wear a kurta, dhoti and a silk shawl. The bride has to take panch - amrit before she proceeds to the hall. This is a concoction of curd, ghee, sugar, milk and honey. The ceremony has to take place in front of a sacred pyre. The couple has to exchange garlands and vows have to be taken while the mantras are being chanted by a priest who blesses the couple after reciting the holy verses. The father of the bride will perform the Kanya Daan;all relatives and friends who are gathered there will sing Jura Naam.

Assamese Hindu Post-Wedding Rituals

• Tamul Kotari - After the marriage ceremony, the couple has to move to the house of the groom where they get a warm welcome by the mother of the groom who also performs the traditional aarti. This is followed by fun activities such as Tamul Kotari that are games held between the bride and the groom and whoever wins in these games is supposed to have the higher say after the marriage.

Assamese Muslim Matrimonial Customs

The Muslim community in Assam is a unique one in its own way and it has always been an integral part of the state. The wedding rituals of Assamese Muslims are quite different from those held in this community in other states.

Assamese Muslim Pre-Wedding Rituals

• Juroon – (জুৰূন) - This is the engagement function. Unlike other communities in Assam, the Muslim community celebrates this ceremony a few months before the actual marriage. Rings are exchanged during this function.

• Maah Halodhi – (মাহ হলোধি) - This function has been in vogue for many centuries and it is always celebrated with gusto. What makes this Muslim ritual different is the supoti (সুপোতিস) which involves relatives demanding money from the parents of the groom and the bride by singing Axomiya Biya Naams (অশোমিয় বিয় নামস).

• Bihu – (বিহু) - This is an entertaining ritual where all relatives and friends gather a day before the marriage and they tap their feet together and have a good time dancing to the latest Bihu (বিহু) songs.

• Xaajpar – (শাজপৰ) - This ritual involves the dressing up of the groom and the bride. The Assamese Muslim groom will either wear a kurta and sherwani and the bride will wear a traditional Mekhela Sador (মেখেল সদোৰ). The bride also wears matching jewellery.

Assamese Muslim Wedding Rituals

• Moi Kubool Korisu – (মৈ কুবূল কোৰিসু) - What makes an Assamese Muslim Biya different and interesting is the Ijab-e-Kubool (ইজব-ে-কুবূল) session. The dialect of acknowledging and accepting the groom’s proposal by the bride adds a little colour to the ceremony. While being Islamic, this ceremony adds an Axomiya touch to the function.

Assamese Muslim Post-Wedding Rituals

• Valima – (ৱলিম) -This is the grand reception function hosted by the groom’s family one day after the marriage and it involves feasting, singing and dancing. All relatives and friends of the bride and the groom attend this function and give presents to the couple.

• Dora Adora – (দোৰ অদোৰ) - TThis is the quaint ritual after the marriage and valima (ৱলিম) when the children form a huge line and fight to be among the first to welcome the Dora (দোৰ) (groom) and Adora/tamuli (অদোৰ) (bride).