Randeep Hooda Ties The Knot With Model Lin Laishram In A Traditional Meitei Wedding: Unveiling The Marriage Culture & Bridal-Groom Attires!

One of Bollywood's most versatile actors, Randeep Hooda, hailing from a Hindu Jat family, recently married his longtime girlfriend, Lin Laishram. Lin, born in Manipur, is an actor and model. The couple celebrated their union in a traditional Meitei wedding, surrounded by close family and friends, belonging to the Manipuri community. This unique choice has left Bollywood in awe, as it deviates from the usual lavish weddings seen in the industry.

While the Meitei wedding tradition itself exists, Randeep's authentic embrace of it has fascinated and enchanted many, providing a refreshing departure from the typical extravagant Bollywood weddings. The videos and photos shared on social media created a wave of admiration, winning the hearts of many.

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For those wondering about the significance of the tradition and curious about the wedding attires worn by the bride and groom, we have the details on how a Manipuri wedding unfolds, from start to finish. Let's explore the cultural richness and meaning behind the traditional wedding attires that made Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram's union truly special.

Manipuri Wedding:

Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, Manipur boasts a cultural heritage enriched by its world-famous Raasleelas and classical dances. Manipuri weddings, much like other Indian weddings, involve various pre-wedding and post-wedding rituals.

Pre-wedding rituals:

1. Initiating the wedding process, prospective brides and grooms typically meet during the grand New Year Festival, providing a golden opportunity for young men and women to connect with their potential life partners. Celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm by the Manipuri tribe, the wedding journey commences with the Hinaba ritual. This marks the initial meeting of the parents of the bride and groom, involving the matching of horoscopes and the setting of the wedding date.

2. Another noteworthy pre-wedding custom is the Yathang thanaga, where the parents of the bride visit the groom's residence, granting their approval for the impending union. The Waraipot puba follows, where the groom's family presents food items to the bride's household. The Heijapot ceremony signifies the formal engagement of the couple.

3. Bor Baton & Leilenga: Embedded in Manipuri culture, this ritual entails a young boy visiting the groom's house early on the wedding day to extend an invitation. Concurrently, the Leilenga ceremony unfolds at the bride's residence. During Leilenga, the bride personally weaves two garlands, one for herself and one for the groom. In the presence of a priest chanting holy prayers, these garlands are crafted from a specific flower called Kundo in the local dialect. Following this, the bride shares her final lunch with her parents.

4. In Manipur, weddings come in two forms: elopement and arranged marriage. In elopement scenarios, 3, 5, or 7 male members of the groom’s family formally inform the bride’s family that their son seeks to marry their daughter. After this ceremony, the bride is escorted to the groom’s residence. In the evening, the bride joins elderly female members of the groom's family. The primary distinction between elopement and arranged social marriages lies in how the bride and groom meet. In elopements, the couple typically chooses each other, while arranged marriages follow a more conventional process. The groom’s family visits the bride’s family thrice before finalizing the wedding date.

5. As the wedding approaches, both the bride and groom's families collaborate to decide on appropriate gifts for the Pala, the woman responsible for singing Kirtans during the wedding ceremony.

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The Wedding-day, Luhongba:

On the wedding day, the groom and his family, accompanied by kinsmen, are warmly welcomed at the bride's house by a Meitei woman. The entire ceremony revolves around a central tulsi (basil) plant, symbolizing its significance. Greetings commence with the groom's arrival, where three elder female members of the bride's family offer betel leaves and nuts on a plate covered with a banana leaf.

The wedding mandap and seating arrangements are strategically placed around the tulsi plant. The groom, seated with the priest, engages in prayers, awaiting the arrival of the bride. The ceremony unfolds as the bride and groom join hands, bound together by the bride's mother with a thread. Blessings follow, accompanied by a plate containing coconut, banana, betel leaf, and betel nut. Additional blessings and monetary offerings from elders ensue.

The culmination involves the bride encircling the groom seven times, and the exchange of garlands between the newlyweds.

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Post-wedding rituals:

Following the wedding, three members from each family bless the couple with betel leaf and nut in the Vidaai ceremony. Subsequently, a ceremony at the groom’s house, called Phamnando, involves the bride carrying two beds to her in-laws – one single and one double. The single bed holds significance as the bride's uncle blesses her for a blissful fertile life. Elders then offer blessings while the bride is seated, followed by a joyous meal/reception.

After a Manipuri wedding, the Mangani Chakouba ritual occurs five days later, signifying the newlyweds' first visit to the bride's home. A grand feast is organized for both families and guests. Pre-wedding, wedding, and post-wedding rituals collectively form the Manipuri wedding, symbolizing immense joy.

Wedding Attires: A Tapestry of Tradition and Elegance

It is needless to say that any wedding ceremony is incomplete without the wedding dress and this stands true for both the bride and the groom. The wedding is a very happy occasion and also marks the beginning of their new life and hence both of them dress up to look their very best.

1. Outfit of the Bride:

The Manipuri bride, a vision of grace, dons a traditional Rasleela dress, showcasing the famed Potloi – a drum-like bridal dress embroidered with religious motifs. Bright, colourful skirts called 'Raslila,' complemented by a red and black sarong (Pindhan), a Silum blouse, and elaborate Merei jewellery sets, create a unique ensemble that resonates with tradition. The bride's attire is crowned with a distinctive headgear, completing the resplendent look.

2. Outfit of the Groom:

In contrast, the groom exudes simplicity and purity in a plain dhoti, kurta and turban ensemble. Covered in a white shawl, symbolizing purity and serenity, the groom's attire perfectly aligns with the sanctity of the occasion.

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Randeep Hooda's choice to embrace a Meitei wedding not only deepened the cultural significance of his union with Lin Laishram but also shed light on the beauty of diversity within the fabric of Indian weddings. Their wedding celebrations stand as a testament to the richness and beauty of Manipuri wedding culture.

As the echoes of their wedding celebrations continue to resonate, Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram have etched a chapter of love and tradition in Bollywood's annals, inspiring many to explore and celebrate the myriad cultures that make up the vibrant tapestry of India's wedding landscape.