Meitei wedding!

Radiant bride

The radiant bride on the morning of the day of the wedding ceremony, as she gets ready for the kundo lengba ceremony.

Kundo lengba ceremony

Stringing flowers during the kundo lengba ceremony. The bride prepares two garlands using kundo (jasmine) flowers. In Manipur, Kundo flowers are used in worship, and are an essential part of a marriage ceremony. The bride garlands the groom with two Kundo flower garlands. The groom then takes one of the two and garlands the bride.

Kundo lengba ceremony

Well thats one garland complete during the kundo lengba ceremony. The bride prepares two garlands using kundo (jasmine) flowers. In Manipur, Kundo flowers are used in worship, and are an essential part of a marriage ceremony. The bride garlands the groom with two Kundo flower garlands. The groom then takes one of the two and garlands the bride.

The amazing potloi

This is the crucial moment. The fully dressed bride is slowly lowered into the traditional bridal costume, the potloi. Well, OK, in this case the bride just jumped into it.

Traditional Manipuri wedding ensemble

The bride all dressed in the stunning traditional Manipuri wedding ensemble. Potloi (the round drum like skirt) and phanek on top. The origin of the potloi dates back to over two centuries and is used in the famous rasa leela dance.

Mandop

The mandop is prepared usually in the courtyard of the house. This is where the wedding ceremony is held.

Welcoming the groom

The groom is welcomed at the gate of the bride’s house with torches lit with fire and rice thrown over them. A gesture to ward off evil spirits.

Leikoiba

During the leikoiba, the bride walks around the groom multiple times, showering a handful of flowers over the head of the groom at the end of the round.

Newlyweds