The groom arrives in celebration, welcomed by the bride's family
The groom's entire family and guests travel together as a procession. The bride's family waits at the venue to receive them.
The Baraat is the groom's wedding procession - a celebratory march from a starting point to the wedding venue. The groom traditionally rides a white horse (or arrives in a decorated car), surrounded by his family and friends dancing to dhol music.
When the Baraat arrives at the venue, the bride's family comes out to formally welcome them in a ritual called the Milni (meaning "meeting"). Pairs of relatives from each side greet each other - groom's father meets bride's father, maternal uncles meet each other, etc. - embracing and exchanging garlands or envelopes.
The Baraat arrival is one of the most photographed and videoed moments of the entire wedding.
Bride
Not visible during the Baraat - she is traditionally inside waiting.
Guests
Fully formal wedding attire - this is the wedding day. Lehenga, saree, sherwani, or suit. Comfortable dancing shoes for Baraat dancing.
If you are on the groom's side, you will be dancing - wear something you can move in.
Punjabi
The Punjabi Baraat is famously energetic - the groom's side dances bhangra all the way to the venue entrance. A live dhol player leads the procession. The groom wears a sehra (decorative floral veil over his face). The Milni involves specific pairs meeting with garlands. The groom's mother performs aarti (a lamp ritual) to welcome the bride's family at the end.
Gujarati
The Gujarati Baraat (called Jaan) is accompanied by a brass band and the groom may ride a horse or elephant. The bride's mother performs aarti for the groom. A key Gujarati ritual at the door is the "Dwar Puja" - the bride's family blocks the groom from entering until negotiations and gifts are exchanged.
Tamil
In Tamil Hindu weddings, the Baraat concept is less traditional. The groom arrives at the marriage hall (kalyana mandapam) without a full procession. The families are formally introduced (Milni equivalent) at the entrance. A nadaswaram (traditional wind instrument) player performs as the groom arrives.
Pakistani
The Pakistani Baraat is the entire wedding day - the Baraat refers to both the groom's procession and the main wedding event (Nikah day). The groom arrives with family for the ceremony and reception. Rukhsati (bride's departure) happens at the end of the same day.
South Indian
In Telugu and Kannada weddings, the groom arrives at the venue with family but without a large procession. The Milni equivalent involves exchange of gifts between families. In some Kerala (Malayali Christian) weddings, the groom's procession is more ceremonial.
Bengali
The Bengali equivalent is the Bor Jatri (groom's procession) - the groom arrives at the bride's wedding venue accompanied by family and friends, often with music. A key ritual is Subho Drishti (auspicious first sight) followed by the bride being carried around the groom seven times on a wooden stool (piri) by her brothers before Saptapadi.
Marathi
The Maharashtrian groom's arrival is called the Simant Puja - the bride's father welcomes the groom at the entrance and washes his feet as a mark of respect before he is escorted to the mandap. It is a quieter, more ritual-focused welcome compared to the Punjabi Baraat, without a large dancing procession.
Jain
Called the Var Ghodo - the groom arrives on a decorated horse (or in a decorated car in modern celebrations) accompanied by a joyful, music-filled procession of family and friends, similar in spirit to a Baraat, before the more measured, spiritually-focused ceremony begins.
Gift expected at this event
Wedding day is when shagun is most expected. Bring your envelope to the ceremony or reception.
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