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Marriage is an important event in Himachal Pradesh like any other Indian marriage. The parents as well as closer elder relatives start looking around for suitable matches as soon as a girl or boy is mature enough. At times, to start the matrimony of their son or daughter, parents arrange for a middleman, who is also known a match-maker or Roovary, Dhamu or Mazomi. The match-maker does all the research work on behalf of both the parties, which is of concern to both the parties like social and financial standing. After that, the final decision is taken on the basis of the horoscopes. These people are very superstitious when it comes to matrimony and matches in the same Gotra are not considered very auspicious. When the matches get finalized, the ritual gift called Tika is sent. The groom and his family are invited for tea by the bride’s family as a formal first meeting. On this occasion, families of both the bride and groom distribute sweets and sing ritual songs. In the tribal families, both the parties exchange Chhang (rice wine) and close relatives and friends are invited to participate in the ceremony. They also distribute sweets among themselves. There are some areas in Himachal Pradesh, where during festivals, various gifts such as jewellery, clothes etc are sent to the betrothed. In Kinnaur, this ritual is known as Chharmi Nata, whereas in other areas it is known as sending the Tihar.

After this ceremony, the date for the wedding is decided in consultation with the priest. Some people also take the permission of the deities to commence proceedings of the marriage. It is preferred that all the preparations for the wedding are kept as a secret from the bride. In Kinnaur, as the wedding date approaches, the bride and her friends begin to wail and weep.

Wedding                                                                                                

During the wedding ceremony, the Suhagi jewellery (which denotes a girl’s marital status) is presented by the Mama and the rest is presented to her by the parents of the bride and the groom. Then the groom's family showcases their gifts (Barasuhi) to the bride and to all those who are assembled, so that they may judge their financial status. All those who are not privileged and can’t afford all this, the gifts and the cash to be given to the bride by her family at the time of the wedding are fixed in advance.

In some areas, the bride's brother presents the groom with a 'dhoti' and a ring and accompanies him to the place where the marriage ceremony is to take place. In areas like Kinnaur, the groom is presented with a white turban by bride’s father and he ties a sword or a dagger on his waist band to indicate the beginning ceremonies. During this time, the bride’s family presents wine cups to the match-maker and the groom. When the marriage party comes back to home, the bride it is greeted by the fellow villagers holding torches. At this time, goats are sacrificed and special rituals are performed to ward off evil spirits and ghosts.

Different people follow different kinds of customs in Himachal Pradesh. Usually in all areas, the bride and the groom are carried in palanquins except in the Lahaul area, where this custom is not followed. The girl seeks blessings of her father and touches his feet at the time of her departure. Whereas, in Kinnaur a matriarchal system is followed, where all the brothers share a wife and if there are more than six brothers then some other brother can also get married. When children are born, all the brothers are looked upon as common fathers. Amongst them, the eldest is known as Teg Bawal and the youngest is called as Gota Bawal.

Now coming back to marriage proceedings, a maid (barber's wife or Pachekan) temporarily accompanies the bride from her father's house to help her settle down in her new family. In Lahaul, after the wedding, when the groom departs with the bride, the friends of the bride block his path. They don’t let him go until he promises them that he will take good care of their dearest friend.

On the day when the bride enters the new household, a special Havan is performed in the presence of the family priest. The bride and the groom prepare kheer (rice pudding) and they serve it to all the assembled relatives who shower them with blessing for well-being and togetherness.