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Another unique ritual in a Bengali wedding is that of inviting the River Ganga. Some members of the family march towards the river while blowing conch shells. They carry items like a betel leaf, betel nut, haldi or turmeric and they also light a diya. Those who live far away from the Ganga can do the same at a nearby pond or lake.
Variations of the customs mentioned here may are definitely present. Customs may differ from family to family. Some families have the ritual of odhibash where the groom’s mother is sent symbolic gifts from the bride’s family on the eve of the wedding. Others celebrate pati-patra – a variation of adan pradan – where the families write the date and other important decisions associated with the wedding on two sheets of paper – one for each family.
