Baraat

About Baraat

Baraat is the groom's ceremonial procession to the wedding venue — one of the most photogenic, energetic, and celebratory parts of a North Indian wedding. The groom traditionally arrives on a decorated white horse (ghodi), elephant (now rare), or vintage car, accompanied by a brass band (dhol players, trumpet, tabla, sometimes saxophone) and a dancing entourage of family and friends.

The baraat is met at the venue entrance by the bride's family in a ritual called milni, where the male elders of both families exchange garlands and gifts.

Baraat logistics affect venue choice:

• Need a clear approach road or parking lot for the procession
• Need permission from the venue for amplified music (the brass band is loud)
• Need an open entrance ceremony space for the milni
• Need time on the schedule — baraats typically take 30–60 minutes for the procession alone

Baraat is rare in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam weddings (which have different procession traditions) but central to Punjabi, Hindi-belt, Marwari, and Gujarati weddings.

Related terms

• Mandap — The ceremonial canopy under which a traditional Hindu wedding is conducted — typically a four-pillared structure with floral decoration, central platform, and seating for the couple, parents, and priest.
• Sangeet — A pre-wedding music-and-dance evening, originally a women-only Punjabi tradition, now mixed-gender and central to most North Indian weddings — features choreographed performances, DJ, and dance floor.
• Muhurtham — An astrologically auspicious time window during which a Hindu wedding ceremony is performed — calculated based on the bride and groom's birth charts and the Hindu calendar.