Baraat

Baraat (Hindi: बरात) (Urdu: برات‎‎) is a groom’s wedding procession in North India, West India and Pakistan. In North Indian communities, it is customary for the bridegroom to travel to the wedding venue (often the bride’s house) on a mare, accompanied by his family members.

The baraat can become a large procession, with booking its own band, dancers, and budget. The groom and his horse are covered in finery and do not usually take part in the dancing and singing; that is left to the “baraatis” or people accompanying the procession. The groom usually carries a sword. The term baraati is also more generically used to describe any invitee from the groom’s side. Traditionally, baraatis are attended to as guests of the bride’s family.