Kashmiri Pandit wedding invitation
A wedding card with Maenziraat, Lagan and reception, in traditional wording.
The Kashmiri Pandit wedding, and the invitation that goes with it
A Kashmiri Pandit wedding (khandar) is not one event but a sequence of ceremonies spread over days, sometimes weeks. Relatives need to know which functions they're invited to, so the invitation lists each one with its date, time and venue.
This card starts with the wording families commonly use and the main functions (Maenziraat, Lagan and the reception) in order. Add, remove or rename functions to match your family's plans.
The main wedding ceremonies
Traditions vary, but a Kashmiri Pandit wedding typically includes:
- Gandun
- The betrothal, formally fixing the match.
- Livun
- Ritual cleaning of both homes, which opens the celebrations, followed by evenings of wanvun songs.
- Maenziraat
- The henna night, when mehndi is applied to the bride's (and groom's) hands and feet.
- Devgon
- The ceremony invoking the gods' blessings, at each home. The bride first wears the dejihor.
- Lagan
- The wedding ceremony at the bride's home or venue. It begins with dvarapuja at the entrance and includes kanyadan and athavas, where bride and groom clasp each other's hands tightly and silently. It continues with the lajahoma, the stepping on the stone (ashmarohana) and saptapadi, the seven rounds around the sacred fire.
- Posh Puza
- The concluding rite, in which the couple, seated under a red cloth, are showered with flower petals as they are worshipped as Shiv and Parvati.
Wording for a Kashmiri Pandit wedding card
- Begin with an invocation such as ॥ श्री गणेशाय नमः ॥.
- The hosts' names: 'Smt. Neelam & Sh. Rakesh Kaul request the honour of your presence at the wedding of their son'.
- The couple: 'Chi.' (Chiranjeev) before the groom's name and 'Sau.' (Saubhagyakankshini) before the bride's, with the parents of the other side on the next line.
- Each function with date, time and venue, in order.
- 'With best compliments from' and the family names, and an RSVP contact.
- Send the main invitation about four to six weeks ahead; the image version can go out on WhatsApp the same day.
How to make your wedding card
- 1
Start from the example
The card opens with wording and three functions filled in.
- 2
Add the couple and functions
Edit names and families, then add or remove functions and fill in dates and venues.
- 3
Choose a design
Heritage and Chinar are the most formal. Try each in your wedding colour.
- 4
Share and print
Send the image on WhatsApp, and print the 5×7 inch PDF for elders who prefer a card.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rituals of a Kashmiri Pandit wedding?
Commonly: Gandun (betrothal), Livun (ritual house-cleaning) and wanvun songs, Maenziraat (henna night), Devgon (invoking the gods' blessings), Lagan (the wedding ceremony, including kanyadan and saptapadi) and Posh Puza (showering the couple with flowers).
What is Posh Puza?
The concluding rite of the Lagan: the couple sit under a red cloth and are showered with flower petals, worshipped as Shiv and Parvati.
What is Maenziraat?
Maenziraat is the henna night before the wedding, when mehndi is applied to the bride's (and the groom's) hands and feet amid songs.
How many functions should I list on the card?
List the functions the guest is invited to. Many families make one card with all functions for close relatives, and a shorter one for the reception.
What do 'Chi.' and 'Sau.' mean on a wedding card?
'Chi.' is short for Chiranjeev, used before the groom's name; 'Sau.' is short for Saubhagyakankshini, used before the bride's name.
Is my information uploaded or stored anywhere?
No. Everything you type is saved only in your own browser on your device, and the PDF and image are created on your device too. There are no accounts, and nothing is sent to our servers.