# Baraat
A **baraat** (Hindi बरात, Urdu برات) is the groom's wedding procession in South Asian tradition, in which the groom travels to the wedding site, often mounted on a horse, elephant, or in a decorated car, escorted by dancing friends and family[1](https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/platts_query.py?matchtype=exact&qs=%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA&searchhws=yes) • [2](https://exhibits.lib.uh.edu/s/anointed/page/baraat). The word is etymologically linked to Sanskrit **vara** and **yātrā**, meaning bridegroom and procession[3](https://www.manyavar.com/en-in/blogs/baraat-ceremony-guide-indian-wedding.html). The groom's family members and friends in the procession are collectively called **baraatis**[4](https://www.wedamor.com/baraat-meaning-and-significance/). The baraat is practiced across Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Jain communities in [South Asia](https://www.edgepedia.org/south-asia) and among diaspora communities[3](https://www.manyavar.com/en-in/blogs/baraat-ceremony-guide-indian-wedding.html) • [2](https://exhibits.lib.uh.edu/s/anointed/page/baraat).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Meaning | barāt (برات / बरात): the procession of the bridegroom to the house of the bride; the company or attendants at a marriage[1](https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/platts_query.py?matchtype=exact&qs=%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA&searchhws=yes) |
| Etymology | Sanskrit vara + yātrā, with a variant derivation from vrāta recorded by Platts[1](https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/platts_query.py?matchtype=exact&qs=%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA&searchhws=yes) |
| Groom's mount | Traditionally a horse (ghodi) or elephant; today often a fancy car[2](https://exhibits.lib.uh.edu/s/anointed/page/baraat) |
| Arrival sequence | Milni welcome, tilak and aarti by the bride's mother, then the jaimala garland exchange with the bride[5](https://www.brides.com/indian-baraat-5075885) |
| Historical duration | The groom's party once stayed in the bride's hometown for over two weeks; today the procession lasts a few hours[5](https://www.brides.com/indian-baraat-5075885) |
| Muslim practice | In some Muslim weddings, a simpler procession, often at night, may end where the Nikah begins[3](https://www.manyavar.com/en-in/blogs/baraat-ceremony-guide-indian-wedding.html) |
| Religious status | The baraat is a customary procession that symbolizes the groom's journey to marriage and the joining of two families[5](https://www.brides.com/indian-baraat-5075885) |
## Etymology and terminology
The Urdu and Hindi lexicon of John T. Platts defines barāt as "the procession of the bridegroom (to the house of the bride), marriage procession; the company or attendants at a marriage", deriving it from Sanskrit vara (bridegroom) plus yātrā (procession), with a variant derivation from vrāta[1](https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/platts_query.py?matchtype=exact&qs=%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA&searchhws=yes). Platts also records the idioms barāt-kā ćaṛhnā, "the setting out of the bridegroom in procession", and barāt karnā or barāt meṅ jānā, "to join in a marriage procession"[1](https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/platts_query.py?matchtype=exact&qs=%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA&searchhws=yes).
Regional names vary. In [East India](https://www.edgepedia.org/east-india), particularly Bengal, the procession is known as the **barjatri** (borjatri)[4](https://www.wedamor.com/baraat-meaning-and-significance/). The welcome ritual that follows the procession has many names, such as Jaan, Ponkhvu, Pokwanu, or Agwaani, depending on the specific region and religion[6](https://www.kathryncooperweddings.com/whats-a-baraat/).
## The procession: sequence and customs
The customary sequence begins with **sehra bandi**, in which the groom's family ties a decorative veil (sehra) of beads or flowers to his turban, symbolizing protection and humility[5](https://www.brides.com/indian-baraat-5075885) • [3](https://www.manyavar.com/en-in/blogs/baraat-ceremony-guide-indian-wedding.html). Next comes the **sawaari**, the groom's mounting of his vehicle, traditionally a decorated white horse (ghodi)[5](https://www.brides.com/indian-baraat-5075885) • [3](https://www.manyavar.com/en-in/blogs/baraat-ceremony-guide-indian-wedding.html).
The procession then moves to the wedding site. A typical lineup places a music van and a master of ceremonies at the front, followed by the dhol player, groomsmen leading the dancing, the groom's parents, guests, and finally the groom on his horse at the rear[6](https://www.kathryncooperweddings.com/whats-a-baraat/). The groom typically dismounts about 15 to 20 minutes into the procession, handing his sword to an assistant or planner, and joins the dancing[6](https://www.kathryncooperweddings.com/whats-a-baraat/).
On arrival, the bride's family welcomes the baraat with the **milni** ceremony, in which garlands are exchanged between corresponding members of the two families, symbolizing their union[3](https://www.manyavar.com/en-in/blogs/baraat-ceremony-guide-indian-wedding.html). The bride's mother then applies a tilak, a ceremonial red dot, on the groom's forehead and performs an aarti to ward off evil[5](https://www.brides.com/indian-baraat-5075885). The sequence culminates in the **jaimala** (varmala), the garland exchange between groom and bride[5](https://www.brides.com/indian-baraat-5075885). The [University of Houston](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-houston) exhibition on Indian weddings in Houston describes this arrival as the point where the groom is greeted, garlanded, and anointed, beginning the symbolic joining of the two families[2](https://exhibits.lib.uh.edu/s/anointed/page/baraat).
## Regional and communal variations
**North Indian Hindu, Sikh, and Jain practice.** The baraat has its roots among the North Indian Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities, with regional variations in music and custom[3](https://www.manyavar.com/en-in/blogs/baraat-ceremony-guide-indian-wedding.html). The procession is often led by a band with a dhol setting the rhythm[4](https://www.wedamor.com/baraat-meaning-and-significance/).
**Muslim weddings.** In some Muslim weddings, the baraat is described as simpler and calmer: the groom wears a sherwani or formal suit, processions may occur at night with lanterns, and Quranic verses or nasheeds (religious songs) may replace loud music. The procession may end where the Nikah begins[3](https://www.manyavar.com/en-in/blogs/baraat-ceremony-guide-indian-wedding.html).
**Bengal.** In the Bengali barjatri, the groom typically arrives in a decorated car, and the procession is marked by the blowing of conch shells and ululations by women. The bride's family welcomes him with a boron dala, a decorated tray containing rice and sweets, followed by the ashirbaad blessing[4](https://www.wedamor.com/baraat-meaning-and-significance/).
The custom has also traveled: the University of Houston library exhibition documents the baraat as practiced in Houston's Indian diaspora, with the groom mounted on an elephant, a horse, or in a fancy car[2](https://exhibits.lib.uh.edu/s/anointed/page/baraat).
## Then and now: how the baraat has changed
The historical baraat was a far larger undertaking than its modern form. The groom's party would travel to and stay in the bride's hometown for over two weeks while the various rituals took place, culminating in bringing the bride back to the groom's house[5](https://www.brides.com/indian-baraat-5075885). Today that duration has contracted to a few hours of singing and dancing[5](https://www.brides.com/indian-baraat-5075885).
The procession's elements have also diversified. Modern baraats feature live bands playing Bollywood songs, dhol players, DJ sets, and flash-mob-style choreographed dances, and can last several hours depending on the group's enthusiasm; at destination weddings the procession typically runs from the hotel entrance to the lobby or banquet hall[5](https://www.brides.com/indian-baraat-5075885). The horse itself is optional: alternatives include dancing-only processions, rickshaws, buses, and, in one 2021 US wedding, a helicopter arrival[6](https://www.kathryncooperweddings.com/whats-a-baraat/). Some weddings have no baraat at all, and some have two, as can occur in same-sex Indian weddings where each partner arrives with a procession[6](https://www.kathryncooperweddings.com/whats-a-baraat/).
## References
1. [John T. Platts, A dictionary of Urdu, classical Hindi, and English, entry "barāt", Digital South Asia Library, University of Chicago](https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/platts_query.py?matchtype=exact&qs=%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA&searchhws=yes)
2. [Baraat, Anointed & Adorned: Indian Weddings in Houston, University of Libraries exhibition](https://exhibits.lib.uh.edu/s/anointed/page/baraat)
3. [The Joy & Magic Behind Every Indian Baraat Ceremony, Manyavar](https://www.manyavar.com/en-in/blogs/baraat-ceremony-guide-indian-wedding.html)
4. [Baraat meaning and significance, Wedamor](https://www.wedamor.com/baraat-meaning-and-significance/)
5. [The History and Meaning of the Baraat, Brides](https://www.brides.com/indian-baraat-5075885)
6. [What's a Baraat?, Kathryn Cooper Weddings](https://www.kathryncooperweddings.com/whats-a-baraat/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Food, customs, and everyday culture › Festivals, fairs, and gatherings*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license