LaddoThisParsi wedding ceremonies, in order
A Parsi wedding usually moves through 10 ceremonies: Rupia Peravanu, Adravanu, Madhavsaro, Adarni, Supra nu Murat, Lagan, Lagan nu Bhonu & Reception, Fire Temple Visit, Homecoming and Chahrum & Post-Wedding Visits. Below is each one in order, when it usually happens and what it means. Customs vary between families and regions, so treat this as the common sequence, not a rule.
10 ceremonies104 checklist tasks in the app
At a glance
- 6+ Months BeforeRupia Peravanu રૂપિયા પેરવાનુThe informal engagement — exchange of silver coins
- Adravanu અદરાવાનુThe formal engagement ceremony
- 4 Days Before — MadhavsaroMadhavsaro મધાવસરોThe tree-planting ceremony — start of the four-day festivities
- 3 Days Before — AdarniAdarni આદરણીThe bridal shower — groom's family brings gifts
- 1 Day Before — Supra nu MuratSupra nu Murat સુપરા નુ મૂરતThe turmeric paste ceremony — the day before the wedding
- Lagan લગનThe sacred Zoroastrian wedding ceremony
- Wedding DayLagan nu Bhonu & Reception લગન નુ ભોનુThe grand Parsi wedding feast and celebration
- Post-WeddingFire Temple Visit અગિયારી મા જવાનુThe couple visits the fire temple for blessings
- Wedding DayHomecoming પહેલી આવકThe bride's formal welcome into the groom's home
- Post-WeddingChahrum & Post-Wedding Visits ચહરુમPost-wedding family visits and the fourth-day dinner
Rupia Peravanu રૂપિયા પેરવાનુ
6+ Months Before
The informal engagement — exchange of silver coins
Rupia Peravanu is the first formal step in a Parsi wedding, marking the unofficial engagement when both families acknowledge and accept the marriage alliance. Five to nine women from the groom's household visit the bride's home carrying silver coins in a red brocaded bag, along with gifts.
The bride's mother performs the Achoo Michoo ritual — circling items from the ses tray (coconut, raw egg, betel leaves, betel nut, rice, water, dates) around the guests seven times to ward off evil and sanctify the occasion. After exchanging gifts and sharing refreshments, the groom's relatives return home.
The bride's family then visits the groom's home, adding more silver coins to those presented and carrying similar gifts, where the ceremony is reciprocated.
Why it matters
The exchange of silver coins (rupia) symbolizes shared prosperity and mutual respect. The reciprocal visits underscore the Parsi value of equality between the bride's and groom's families — neither side is considered superior. The ceremony invokes the blessings of Mithra, the Zoroastrian guardian of contracts.
In LaddoThis: a Rupia Peravanu checklist with 8 tasks, 8 of them things to buy or prepare.
Adravanu અદરાવાનુ
6+ Months Before
The formal engagement ceremony
The Adravanu officially seals the marriage alliance. The groom's family arrives bearing gifts — a complete red/maroon saree set with accessories, shoes, red bangles, an engagement ring, and a Dahi Machli tray (fresh fish, sweet curd, sugar, and turmeric). The bride's family prepares the engagement ring for the groom, gold shirt buttons, a Sakar Tapka tray (crystallized sugar), and monetary gifts.
The bride stands on a patla (low wooden platform). A coconut is placed in the couple's hands, garlands are tied around their necks. A piece of sugar crystal dipped in yogurt is placed in the couple's mouths to encourage sweetness in their communication. Two divo (oil lamps) are lit, symbolizing fire's central importance in Zoroastrianism.
The couple exchanges engagement rings — the groom places the ring on the bride's finger first. Family members present cash gifts and blessings.
Why it matters
The Adravanu is a sacred contract witnessed by the community and invoked before Ahura Mazda. The lighting of the divo invokes the sacred fire central to all Zoroastrian worship. The sugar-yogurt offering represents the couple's commitment to speak sweetly and kindly throughout married life. The Dahi Machli (fish and curd) is one of the most auspicious items in Parsi tradition.
In LaddoThis: a Adravanu checklist with 16 tasks, 13 of them things to buy or prepare.
Madhavsaro મધાવસરો
4 Days Before — Madhavsaro
The tree-planting ceremony — start of the four-day festivities
Madhavsaro marks the official beginning of multi-day wedding celebrations, held exactly four days before the Lagan (wedding day). Each family independently plants a young mango sapling in a decorated flower pot at their respective homes.
The pot is painted with turmeric and red kunkun designs. The soil is enriched with symbolic items: gold and silver flakes (for wealth), paan and supari (for love and fertility), haldi (for health), kharak (for sweetness), plus an egg, yogurt, rice, wheat, and milk. A male family member officiates the planting while wearing a traditional turban.
The family priest blesses the sapling with prayers. A coconut is circled seven times around the plant and cracked to mark the ceremony's completion. The plant is placed near the entrance and watered daily for eight days, then transplanted permanently.
During the Madhavsaro period, Varadh Patra prayers are offered to honour deceased ancestors of both families, seeking their blessings for the union.
Why it matters
The mango tree is a symbol of fertility, abundance, and continuity of life. The items mixed into the soil each carry symbolic weight in Zoroastrian tradition. The daily watering for eight days reinforces the commitment to nurturing new beginnings. The Varadh Patra ancestor prayers acknowledge departed family members' spiritual presence.
In LaddoThis: a Madhavsaro checklist with 11 tasks, 9 of them things to buy or prepare.
Adarni આદરણી
3 Days Before — Adarni
The bridal shower — groom's family brings gifts
Adarni takes place approximately three days before the wedding and is the Parsi equivalent of a bridal shower. The groom's family visits the bride's home with an array of gifts — new clothes, jewelry, cash, sweets, and accessories. This is a significant gifting event where the groom's family demonstrates their generosity and formally welcomes the bride-to-be.
The ceremony includes the lighting of divo (oil lamps), which gives it the alternative name "Divo Adarni." The lit lamps symbolize Ahura Mazda's blessings. After gifts are presented, the bride's family serves a traditional meal — sev (vermicelli), dahi (yogurt), boiled eggs, and bananas.
The evening is filled with songs, blessings, and the warmth of two families coming together.
Why it matters
Adarni represents the formal acceptance of the bride by the groom's family. The gifts of clothing and jewelry symbolize the groom's family clothing and adorning the bride as their own daughter. The lighting of the divo invokes fire's purifying and sanctifying power in Zoroastrian tradition.
In LaddoThis: a Adarni checklist with 7 tasks, 6 of them things to buy or prepare.
Supra nu Murat સુપરા નુ મૂરત
1 Day Before — Supra nu Murat
The turmeric paste ceremony — the day before the wedding
Supra nu Murat is the Parsi equivalent of the Haldi ceremony, held the day before the wedding. Five married women participate: four form a square and one sits in the centre. Each outer woman receives a supra — a cane tray containing paan, supari, haldi, kharak, and coconut.
The four women exchange their supra bundles among themselves seven times in cross-wise, length-wise, and breadth-wise patterns while singing traditional Parsi wedding songs. The number seven holds deep significance in Zoroastrian theology.
After the exchanges, all five women jointly pound the turmeric in the khalbatto (mortar and pestle) with milk to create a golden paste. This paste is applied to the bride and groom by their family members amidst blessings, prayers, and joyful singing. Both families perform this separately at their own homes.
Why it matters
The turmeric represents purification and protection, connecting to the Zoroastrian emphasis on ritual purity. The number seven represents the seven Amesha Spentas (divine beings) in Zoroastrian theology. The participation of married women specifically channels their blessings of successful marriages onto the couple.
In LaddoThis: a Supra nu Murat checklist with 10 tasks, 9 of them things to buy or prepare.
Lagan લગન
The sacred Zoroastrian wedding ceremony
The Lagan is held in the evening at a Baug or hotel. The day begins with the Nahan — a purification bath where bride and groom consume taro and pomegranate leaves. The bride wears her white Gara saree; the groom his white dugli, fetah, and shawl.
At the venue, the bride's mother performs the Achoo Michoo, circling ses tray items seven times. In the Ara Antar, a white cloth is held between the couple while priests and married women circle them with thread. The curtain drops and they shower each other with rice — whoever throws first "rules the household."
During the Hathevaro, the priest joins their hands. Seven married women wrap thread around them and they light a devo together. The Ashirvad — a one-hour priestly service in Persian and Avestan — follows. The priest asks the bride three times; she responds "pasand kardam" (I agree). The groom is asked once. It concludes with tandorosti prayers, rose petals, rice, and ring exchange.
Playful games follow: Haath Borvanu (sister traps the groom's hand until he drops a silver coin), Pag Dhovanu (ransom for shoes), and Chero Chorvanu (untying strings). The sacred flame extinguishes naturally or with a rose.
Why it matters
Fire is the most sacred symbol in Zoroastrianism, representing Ahura Mazda's divine light, truth, and righteousness. The number seven permeates the ceremony, representing the seven Amesha Spentas and seven creations of Ahura Mazda. The Ara Antar (curtain) represents the barrier between single and married life. The Ashirvad is legally recognized under the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act of 1936.
In LaddoThis: a Lagan checklist with 24 tasks, 15 of them things to buy or prepare.
Lagan nu Bhonu & Reception લગન નુ ભોનુ
Wedding Day
The grand Parsi wedding feast and celebration
The Lagan nu Bhonu follows the ceremony and is the grand celebratory conclusion to the wedding day. The multi-course feast is a carefully curated progression of Parsi culinary heritage, traditionally served on banana leaves.
The meal begins with Lagan nu Achar (wedding pickle with carrots, raisins, dried apricots), paper-thin rotlis, and sago wafers. Main courses feature Patra ni Machhi (pomfret in chutney steamed in banana leaves), Saas ni Machhi (fish in sweet-sour white sauce), Salli Margi (chicken with potato straws), Kid Gosht (lamb in cashew gravy), and Bharuchi Akuri (scrambled eggs with nuts). Rice dishes include Chicken Pulao and Masala Dar. Raspberry soda is the traditional beverage.
The feast culminates with Lagan nu Custard — a firm, blistered egg-and-milk dessert flavoured with vanilla and nutmeg, served exclusively at Parsi weddings — followed by ice cream.
--- Dahi Koomron ---
During the reception, the couple is served on one plate, feeding each other bites of food — symbolizing their shared life and mutual care. Toasts are raised, cash gifts are presented, and the couple takes the floor for their first dance.
Why it matters
The Lagan nu Bhonu is far more than a meal — it is a community celebration reinforcing the Parsi values of generosity and togetherness. Fish is considered highly auspicious for newlyweds. Lagan nu Custard is so exclusively tied to weddings that it is never served at other occasions, making it an edible symbol of matrimony. Dahi Koomron (eating from one plate) symbolizes shared life and equality.
In LaddoThis: a Lagan nu Bhonu & Reception checklist with 10 tasks, 6 of them things to buy or prepare.
Fire Temple Visit અગિયારી મા જવાનુ
Post-Wedding
The couple visits the fire temple for blessings
After the wedding, the newlywed couple visits their local Agiary (fire temple) or an Atashbehram (highest grade of fire temple) to seek divine blessings. They perform the Machi ceremony — offering sandalwood to the sacred fire and receiving blessings from the head priest.
As a special pilgrimage, many Parsi newlyweds also travel to Udvada in Gujarat — home to the IranShah Atash Behram, the oldest and holiest fire temple in India, dating to the 8th century. On the couple's behalf, their parents traditionally offer a machi (throne of sandalwood) at this temple.
Why it matters
Fire is the most sacred symbol in Zoroastrianism, representing Ahura Mazda's divine light, truth, and righteousness. Visiting the fire temple after marriage is a profound act of devotion. The offering of sandalwood is one of the most meritorious acts in Zoroastrian worship. The Udvada pilgrimage connects the couple to the Parsi community's thousand-year journey from Iran to India.
In LaddoThis: a Fire Temple Visit checklist with 5 tasks, 3 of them things to buy or prepare.
Homecoming પહેલી આવક
Wedding Day
The bride's formal welcome into the groom's home
The bride's family escorts the newlywed couple to the groom's family home. The groom's mother performs the Achoo Michoo ritual to welcome the bride and protect the couple. A silver coin is placed in an oil lamp which is lit.
The bride enters stepping with her right foot first. She holds a lit lamp and circles it around the groom as a protective gesture. The couple then steps on a metal plate with rice, symbolizing shared abundance.
The groom's mother presents the bride with an auspicious red saree and red bangles. The bride changes into this red saree — the mother-in-law puts the bangles on her, marking the bride's formal entry into her new family.
Why it matters
The red saree and bangles gifted by the mother-in-law carry deep symbolism — red represents fire, vitality, and married status in Zoroastrian tradition. The act of the mother-in-law dressing the bride represents full acceptance into the family. The right-foot-first entry is an auspicious custom.
In LaddoThis: a Homecoming checklist with 8 tasks, 7 of them things to buy or prepare.
Chahrum & Post-Wedding Visits ચહરુમ
Post-Wedding
Post-wedding family visits and the fourth-day dinner
The post-wedding period includes two significant family visits. The Bahana occurs the day after the wedding — the bride returns to her parents' home for lunch with her husband. The bride's mother prepares a special feast featuring fish (highly auspicious for newlyweds) and sweet dishes. This is an emotional occasion — the bride's first return to her natal home after marriage.
The Chahrum is a formal dinner hosted by the bride's family on the fourth day after the wedding, marking the completion of the initial marriage period. Both families gather once more for a celebratory meal.
By this time, the Madhavsaro plant (planted four days before the wedding) has been watered for its full eight-day cycle and is ready to be transplanted to a permanent location — symbolically mirroring the bride's transition into her new home.
Why it matters
The Bahana and Chahrum visits reinforce the Parsi value that marriage joins two families. The bride's return affirms her continued connection to her natal family. Fish served at these meals symbolizes fertility and new life. The Chahrum's timing on the fourth day connects to Zoroastrian reverence for sacred numbers.
In LaddoThis: a Chahrum & Post-Wedding Visits checklist with 5 tasks, 3 of them things to buy or prepare.