Social customs and traditions

Social Customs and Traditions play a crucial role in shaping the identity of communities and cultures. In the context of Rajasthan Art & Culture, these customs and traditions are not only a reflection of the state’s rich history but also a testament to the values, beliefs, and lifestyle of its people. From unique festivals to intricate rituals, Rajasthan’s social practices offer a deep insight into the region’s cultural heritage.

Cultural Practices and Traditions in Rajasthan

Rajasthan’s social customs and traditions are mainly divided into four parts:

Birth, Marriage, Death, Others

16 Rituals / Samskars

Before Birth –

Garbhadhan – Resolve for conception to have a healthy and cultured child
Pumsavan – For the mental and physical development of the fetus (in the 3rd-4th month)
Simantonnayan – To provide mental peace and happiness to the pregnant mother (called ‘Agrani’ in Marwar)

Childhood Samskars –

Jatakarma – At birth, the father gives honey to the child and blesses it
Namkaran – Naming the child; on the 11th or 12th day after birth
Nishkraman – The child’s first outing from home (to see the sun and moon)
Annaprashan – Feeding solid food (ann) to the child for the first time after 6 months
Chudakarma (Mundan) – Shaving the head so that purity and brilliance increase
Karnavedh – Ear piercing (from the perspective of health and education)

Education and Student Life –

Vidyarambh – Initiating the child into letter knowledge and primary education
Upanayan (Janeu) – Going to the guru for education and wearing the sacred thread (janeu)
Vedarambh – Beginning serious study of Vedas and scriptures
Keshant – Shaving the beard and mustache for the first time at the end of adolescence
Samavartan – Completing education and farewell from the gurukul (today’s convocation ceremony)

Householder and Final Stage –

Vivah – Entering householder life and fulfilling responsibilities towards society
Antyeshti – Final farewell and last rites after death

Birth customs

Panchmasi	Ritual performed in the 5th month of pregnancy (for the well-being of the child)
Dasotan	Celebration and naming ceremony held on the 10th day after the child’s birth
Suhawad	Nutritious food prepared for the mother (prasuta) or the related ritual
Agrani	Name of Simantonnayan samskar in Marwar
Jamna	Gifts and clothes sent by the maternal side (nanihal paksh) on the child’s birth
Dhoondh	Gifts and celebration from the maternal side for small children around Holi
Nhawan/Nhan	First formal bath of the child and mother (purification ritual)
Satwado	Traditional ritual held on the seventh day after delivery
Panghat Poojan	Well worship (jalwa poojan); worship of the water deity and the mother’s first outing
God Lena	Legally or religiously adopting a child as heir/successor
Akhya	On the eighth day after birth, sisters and daughters draw swastika (santiya) at the house door
Kothla	When a daughter has her first child, her parental family sends gifts to the son-in-law and his relatives
Special	Aqiqa: Muslim children’s head-shaving and naming ceremony
Special	Baptism: Naming ritual for infants in Christianity

Wedding customs

customs	Description
Sagai	Initial fixing of the marriage alliance / engagement
Tika	The bride’s side applies tilak on the groom’s forehead to confirm the relationship
Chikni Kauthli	Gifts and sweets sent by the groom’s side to the bride after engagement (also called Raawni God Bharna)
Peeli Chitthi	Invitation letter sent by the bride’s side after fixing the auspicious wedding date
Iktayi	The tailor takes measurements of the bride and groom’s clothes on the first auspicious occasion
Ganpati Poojan / Kumkum Patrika	Worship of Lord Ganesha (remover of obstacles) and offering the first invitation card to him
Reet	Jewelry and clothes given by the groom’s side to the bride at the time of engagement
Mugdhaṇa	Worship of dry firewood (fuel) for the kitchen and bringing it
Baan Bithana	Applying ubtan to the bride and groom and restricting them from going out of the house
Kankan Dor Bandhna	Two days before the wedding, tying a sacred thread (mauli) with iron, clove, and cowrie shell to the bride and groom with seven knots; it is a symbol of protection from evil eye and is removed after the wedding
Bana-Bani	Folk songs sung for the groom (Bana) and bride (Bani) during the wedding
Battisi Nutna	Invitation given by the mother to her brother (maternal uncle) to fill bhaat (mayra) for her children’s wedding
Mayra (Bhaat)	Maternal uncle bringing clothes, jewelry, and gifts for his sister’s children’s wedding
Nikasi or Bindori	The groom riding a horse and going around the village/town (Bindoli dance in Jhalawar)
Saankdi ki Raat	The night just before the wedding, celebrated with festivities and staying awake

customs	Description
Jaanotan	Collective feast of the baraat or arrangement for the baraat
Baraat	Departure of the groom’s party (var paksh) to the bride’s house
Kanwari Jaan ka Bhaat	Food given by the bride’s side before the wedding rounds (pheron se pehle)
Kanwar Kaleva	Breakfast served to the groom by the women of the bride’s side
Parani Jaan ka Jeeman	Main royal feast given to the baraat after the wedding rounds (pheron ke baad)
Toontiya	After the men leave for the baraat, women at home perform mimicry/drama (swang/natak)
Saamela	Welcome and milni (meeting) of the baraat by the bride’s side
Bari Padla	Jewelry and wedding outfit brought by the groom’s side for the bride
Toran Marna	The groom touches the toran hanging at the bride’s house door (symbol of victory)
Suhag Thaal	Offering suhag items to the bride
Paavna	Special honor and hospitality to the son-in-law at his in-laws’ house
Seethne	Teasing/abusive songs sung by women with laughter and jest
Kaaman	Songs sung to protect the groom from black magic or evil eye
Binota	Specially made wedding shoes for the bride and groom
Kanyaval	Fast observed by close relatives of the bride’s side until the wedding rounds
Vadhu ke Tel Chadhana	Applying oil and ubtan to the bride for purification
Phere	Taking seven rounds around the sacred fire to bind the marital relationship
Hathleva	After sitting in the chavri (mandap), placing the bride’s hand in the groom’s hand (also called Panigrahana)
Kanyadaan	The ritual where the bride’s parents hand over the responsibility of their daughter to the groom
Seekh	Gifts given to guests and baraat members at the time of farewell
Ojhan	Giving dowry or gift items to the bride
Pahraavni / Rangbari	Gifts or presents given by the bride’s side to the baraat members at the time of farewell

customs	Description
Muklawa	Gauna; the bride’s permanent move to her in-laws’ house some time after the wedding
Koyaldi	Songs of separation and farewell sung at the time of the daughter’s vidai
Aanau	The bride’s first return to her parental home after the wedding
Paisaron	The bride’s first entry into the in-laws’ house (griha pravesh)
Jua-Jui	Game of the bride and groom searching for a ring in a thali
Badhaar	Public feast / preeti bhoj held the day after the wedding
Baroti	Feast hosted in welcome of the bride after the wedding
Hathbaulno	Introduction of the new bride (first formal meeting/presentation)
Heeravani	Breakfast/kaleva given to the newlywed bride during the wedding
Jaanotan	Feast given by the groom’s side
Riyaan	Traditional gathering of guests with opium or tea (mel-milap)
Sota-Soti	Ritual where the bride and groom playfully hit each other with a stick
Chhat	Ritual of worshiping the family deity (kul devi-devta) after the wedding
Bala Chunri	Special odhni (veil) given by the maternal side
Kanwar Jod	Outfit/dress for the groom and the accompanying kunwar (young male relatives)
Bayanau / Bihana	Charity/donation given at the end of auspicious ceremonies
Jaat Dena	Going to the kul devta temple and paying obeisance (mattha tekna)

Death related customs

Baikunthi	Carrying the dead body to the cremation ground on a bamboo/wooden bier
Bakher / Uchhaal	Scattering money on the way while taking the body to the cremation ground
Pinddaan	Offering a pind (ball) of flour at the first crossroad while going to the cremation ground
Dandot	Relatives paying respects (pranam) in front of the Baikunthi of the deceased
Aadheta	Changing the direction of the Baikunthi at the crossroad on the way from home to the cremation ground
Laampa / Mukhaagni	The eldest son / closest brother giving fire (mukhagni) during the last rites
Antyeshti	Placing the body on the pyre at the cremation ground and giving mukhagni
Saantarwada / Mugati	No cooking in the house/neighborhood until the last rites; people coming and going for 12 days to console
Doshaniyaan	Pots filled with water on the 12th day
Paaniwaada	At the time of death, everyone gathers, bathes, and offers condolences
Bhadar / Bhaddar	Shaving head, beard, and mustache in mourning
Kapal Kriya	The successor cracking the skull of the body during cremation and pouring ghee into it
Phool Ekatr Karna	Collecting bones on the third day after death and placing them in a kalash (immersion in Haridwar)
Teeye ki Baithak	Gathering on the evening of the third day; offering flowers, silent prayer
Mausar	Death feast (also called Ausar/Nukta); while alive called Josar
Lain	Gifts given to relatives at the Nukta (Kangiya among tribals for death feast)
Mookaan	Expressing condolences to the relatives of the deceased
Daangdi Raat	Night vigil after returning from the pilgrimage
Pagdi	Tying pagdi (turban) to the eldest son as successor at the Mausar
Narayan Bali	Ritual performed to prevent the soul of the deceased from wandering
Mahine ka Ghada	Yajna ritual and feast one month after death
Chhamahi	Yajna ritual and feast six months after death
Barah Maah ka Ghada	Yajna ritual and feast one year after death
Shraddh	From Bhadrapad Purnima to Ashwin Amavasya (16 days)
Aadi Shraddh	Shraddh performed on the 11th day after death

Other practices

Sati Pratha	The practice in which a wife ascends the funeral pyre along with her deceased husband’s body after his death Other names – Sahmaran Pratha / Anvarohan / Sahgaman Pratha Rajasthan’s first Sati – Sampall Kanwar, wife of Jodhpur Senapati Ranuk (1861 AD, Ghatiyala inscription) First attempts to ban Sati Pratha in Rajasthan – Sawai Jai Singh II First states in Rajasthan to declare it illegal: 1822 AD in Bundi Riyasat (Vishnu Singh) 1823 AD in Kota Riyasat 1825 AD in Bikaner Riyasat 1830 AD in Alwar Riyasat 1844 AD in Jaipur Riyasat Sati Nivaran Adhiniyam, 1829 – Enacted by Lord William Bentinck (first in Bengal, from 1830 AD across the entire country) Under this Act, Alwar Riyasat was the first state in Rajasthan to impose a ban (Banne Singh) Rajasthan’s last Sati: 1987 AD, Roop Kanwar, wife of Malsingh/Mohansingh, resident of Deorala village, Sikar Rajasthan Government passed the Sati Nivaran Adhyadesh in 1987 AD. Mahasati / Anumaran Pratha Practice of a woman becoming Sati with some token/symbol of her husband Rajasthan’s only Mahasati wife – Ruthi Rani Umade Bhatiyani
Child Marriage	The first written evidence of child marriage in India is found from the time of Harshavardhana The marriage of his minor sister Rajshri was performed with Grahavarman, the king of Kannauj Prescribed age for marriage Girl – 18 years Boy – 21 years First law prohibiting child marriage In 1885, by Jodhpur Prime Minister Sir Pratap Singh (during the reign of Jaswant Singh II) Sharda Act 1929 – Due to the efforts of Harvilas Sharda, resident of Ajmer Minimum age – Boy 18 years, Girl 14 years Amendment 1978 – Under the Child Marriage Restraint Act, minimum age set as Boy 21 years and Girl 18 years
Widow Remarriage	First attempt – Efforts by Sawai Jai Singh II to make rules Widow Remarriage Act, 1856 Passed by Lord Dalhousie due to the efforts of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Implemented by Lord Canning in July 1856 AD Customs related to the practice Natra / Ana – Second marriage with another man after the husband’s death Gadharanau – Remarriage with the younger brother-in-law (devar) Kagali / Nata – One rupee per remarriage on the occasion of a widow’s remarriage Nata – Name in Bikaner Cheli Rashi – Name in Jaipur Nata Kagali – Name in Kota Nata Barad – Name in Mewar
Samadhi Pratha	The practice in which a saint or great person voluntarily chooses death by entering a pit (gadda) dug in the ground or by drowning in water while still alive First ban – 1844 AD in Jaipur (efforts of Agent Ludlow) during the time of Sawai Ram Singh II Samadhi Nivaran Adhiniyam, 1861 – Declared living samadhi as suicide
Kanya Vadh Pratha (Female Infanticide)	The practice of killing a newborn girl immediately after birth by giving her opium or strangling her First ban in Rajasthan – British officer Hall imposed it in a meeting of the Mer community in the Merwara region First declared illegal – 1833 AD – By Kota ruler Ram Singh II (efforts of Political Agent Wilkinson) 1834 AD – Bundi Riyasat (Maharao Buddhsingh) 1837 AD – Bikaner Maharaja Ratan Singh 1839 AD – Jodhpur Maharaja Man Singh 1844 AD – Udaipur and Jaipur
Tyag Pratha	A gift given to Charan / Bhat (genealogists who maintain family lineages) at the time of princesses’ marriages First ban – 1841 AD in Jodhpur Riyasat 1844 AD – Ban in Bikaner and Jaipur Riyasat Walter’s Rajput Hitkarini Sabha framed rules against this practice
Dahej Pratha (Dowry System)	Giving money or property by the bride’s side to the groom’s side as a condition of marriage, at the time of or after the wedding Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 Government of India Dowry Prohibition Law, 2006
Santhaara / Sallekhana Pratha	Practice related to Jainism Voluntarily giving up food and water to end one’s life (fasting unto death)
Parda Pratha (Veiling / Purdah System)	The practice originated in medieval history to protect from the evil gaze of Muslim invaders, which gradually became a moral custom in Hindu society The strongest opposition to this practice was made by Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Dās Prathā (Slavery System)	Making captives during war or enslaving due to inability to repay debt by jagirdars First attempt – By Akbar Declared illegal – In 1832 AD by Lord William Bentinck First ban in Rajasthan – In 1832 AD by Kota Riyasat Pāsavān / Khawāsan – When a king permitted a female slave (dāsi) to wear a ring/jewelry, she was called Pāsavān
Begār Prathā / Hāli Prathā (Forced Labor System)	Zamindars and kings taking free labor/services from their subjects (raiyat) In Bundi Riyasat, begār was also taken from women Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
Sagadi / Bonded Labour System	The practice where a seth or sahukar lends money and makes a person work as a domestic servant in lieu of low wages or interest repayment Sagadi Nivaran Adhiniyam, 1961
Dawariya Pratha	Virgin girls sent along with the bride at the time of farewell in high royal families Buying and selling of women – In feudal society, boys and girls were bought to provide slaves/servants along with dowry in marriage Chaudhan – Tax collected in Kota Riyasat on the buying and selling of women First ban – In 1831 AD in Kota Riyasat
Mautana Pratha	Collecting compensation for death among tribals (Adivasis)
Nata Pratha	A wife starting to live with another man without formal remarriage while her husband is still alive Prevalent among tribals
Dakan Pratha	In many castes and tribes, women being killed by labeling them as ‘Dakan’ (witch) Ban – Imposed by J.C. Brooke, Commander of Mewar Bhil Corps, in 1853 AD during the time of Swaroop Singh Ji
Chheda-Fadna Pratha	A Bhil man tying money to the edge of a new saree in front of panch people and tearing the saree from the width side Thereafter, it is considered that the man has divorced his wife
Ojakau	Staying awake all night is called Ojakau
Human Trafficking / Sale of Humans Pratha	First ban – 1847 AD, in Jaipur Riyasat through the efforts of Jaipur’s Political Agent Ludlow
Chari Pratha	Prevalent in Tonk and Bhilwara districts Dowry is given by the boy’s side instead of the girl’s side
Kookdi Rasam	Prevalent in the Sansi tribe Testing the girl’s character before marriage
Dapa Pratha	In tribes, the groom’s side paying bride price (vadhu mulya) to the bride’s side
Anala Bhor-Bhu Pratha	Cutting the umbilical cord of a newborn in the Garasia tribe
Atta-Satta Pratha	Marriage practice in which a girl from one family is exchanged for a girl from another family (exchange marriage, taking a girl as daughter-in-law in return for giving a girl)
Nangal	The ritual of entering a newly constructed house (griha pravesh) after building a new home
Dhareja	Marriage between an unmarried man or widower with an unmarried woman or widow by mutual consent
Taaga Karna	Inflicting wounds on the body with weapons etc. as an attempt at suicide
Jammar	Practice of men performing jauhar (self-immolation)
Aan Pratha	Aan Pratha prevalent in Mewar (oath of loyalty to the master / swami bhakti ki shapath) Abolished in 1863 AD during the reign of Shambhu Singh