Indian weddings are filled with the beats of dholaks, auspicious songs, and laughter. Among the wedding rituals, the most joyous and vibrant are the ceremonies of "Haldi" and "Ubtan" (also known as "Baan" or "Oil Chadhana" in many regions). When yellow paste is applied on the face and body of the bride and groom, everyone thinks that this tradition is only to make the face glow on the wedding day and to make good photographs.
But is this ritual merely a local beauty treatment to bring a temporary glow to the skin? According to ancient texts on wedding rituals, this centuries-old tradition of ours has deeper scientific, Ayurvedic, psychological, and health implications than just beauty. Let us understand in detail what is the real purpose of applying turmeric and paste just before the marriage ceremony and what hidden science works behind it.
Not Just A Beauty Product, But A Complete Ayurvedic 'Therapy'
According to scriptures and naturopathic principles, the ritual of applying "baan," or "ubtan," before a wedding is a natural way to enhance the bride and groom's beauty and glow. However, the ingredients used are anything but ordinary. Ubtan includes yogurt, oil, turmeric, and green durva (grass). When mixed in a specific proportion, it has magical effects on the skin and body:
The cooling effect of yogurt: Yogurt is naturally cooling and calming. Both the bride and groom experience mental stress and anxiety during a wedding. Applying yogurt helps calm body heat.
The chemical synergy of oil and turmeric: Oil deeply nourishes the skin, bringing moisture to it. When combined with turmeric and yogurt and applied to the body, it penetrates the pores and works as a panacea for dryness, acne, and all skin blemishes.
Medicinal properties of Durva (green grass): Green Durva is used in applying Ubtan. In Ayurveda, Durva is considered to enhance memory and improve eyesight. When mixed with oil, its properties are absorbed into the body.
Soap or modern chemicals dry out the skin, whereas this traditional scrub maintains the natural glow and softness of the body for a long time.
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Protection Against Bacteria And Infectious Diseases
In ancient times, before the modern medicines, sanitizers, and antibiotics we have today, large social events like weddings were particularly vulnerable to disease. Hundreds of guests would come and go at weddings, increasing the risk of infection.MTurmeric is a natural antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial agent. When turmeric and ubtan are applied to the entire body of the bride and groom three to five days before the wedding, it creates a protective shield around their bodies. This strengthens their immunity and protects them from external infections or illnesses caused by seasonal changes.
Relief From Stress And Anxiety
Marriage is not just a union of two bodies, but of two families and two lives. During the wedding season, it's natural to experience sleep deprivation, disrupted eating habits, and the mental stress of starting a new life. When the entire body is massaged with Ubtan, it improves blood circulation. Massage relieves muscle fatigue and calms the nervous system. This is a kind of natural spa treatment that refreshes the bride and groom mentally, leaving their faces with a genuine glow instead of tiredness.
Rules For Tying And Relaxing The 'Raksha Sutra'
After the ritual of applying the paste and bathing is complete, it's traditional to tie a "Raksha Sutra" or "Bracelet" on the bride and groom's wrists and feet. It consists of a cowrie shell, betel nut, yellow mustard seeds, an iron ring, and a lump of turmeric. According to scientific and practical reasons, according to material science, all these materials keep away negative energy and harmful effects of the environment. Additionally, a very practical rule regarding the tying of the Raksha Sutra is that the bride and groom are then excused from any strenuous or hazardous work. This is to ensure that they do not suffer any physical injury, fatigue, or illness before the main wedding day.
The life lesson behind filtering water through a sieve
A very beautiful tradition is followed in the last bath of the Ubtan ritual, the brother and sister-in-law of the bride or groom draw water from the well or tap, and the married women of the house filter that water through a sieve and bathe the bride and groom.
There's a profound psychological message behind this ritual: Until now, no one pays much attention to the decisions and mistakes a person makes during childhood or adolescence. But now, they are about to enter the most important responsibility of family life by getting married.
The idea of bathing them with filtered water means that in the future, their every behavior, word, and thought must be filtered through society's intellectual sieve. They must now live their lives with responsibility and maturity.
Science Embedded In Culture
The biggest beauty of Indian traditions is that our ancestors gave the principles of health, psychology and philosophy of life the form of customs and linked them with religion and festivals. The ritual of applying Ubtan or turmeric before the wedding isn't just a photo opportunity or a mere show. It's a wonderful 'scientific method' to physically detoxify the bride and groom, protect them from illness, provide mental peace, and prepare them for the start of a beautiful new chapter!
[Disclaimer: The content of this article is based solely on beliefs, and should be taken as general guidance. Individual experiences may vary. ABPLive.com does not assert the accuracy or validity of any claims or information presented. It is strongly recommended to consult a qualified expert before considering or implementing any information or belief discussed herein.]