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India is a diverse country with various regions and cultural traditions, which is reflected in its wedding cuisine.
Each region in India has distinct flavours and spices.
India is one of the world’s most culturally diverse and vibrant countries. It’s no surprise that Indian wedding ceremonies are steeped in culture and tradition and are recognised for their extravagant displays of colour, music and dance, as well as ceremonies and rituals that take place over several days. Among all, one of the most essential elements for any wedding is good food.
In Indian culture, food is a vital component of hospitality. It is regarded as a way to greet people and express gratitude for their presence. A well-designed wedding menu may bring families together, and sharing a meal is said to help people bond and connect with one another.
India is a diverse country with various regions and cultural traditions, which is reflected in its wedding cuisine. Each region has distinct flavours and spices. If you’re attending a North Indian wedding, you might find food options like Kadhai Paneer, Dal Makhni, Shahi Paneer and others, while if you go to the South, you might end up finding tasty delicacies like Dosa, Rasam and Sambhar among others.
Regional foods are an essential part of any Indian wedding as they reflect cultural customs and highlight the hospitality of the host. Also, it emphasises the country’s rich and diverse culinary heritage.
Why are regional cuisines important at weddings?
Symbolic: Food is symbolic at Indian weddings, with each dish representing something unique. Like biryani represents unity and togetherness and desserts such as halwa and kheer represent a lovely married life ahead.
Rituals: Food plays a major role in Indian wedding rituals and customs. Such as traditional sweets and fruits are exchanged between the families and also gifted to all the guests who arrive at the function.
Family Bonding: Food brings families together to celebrate the union of two individuals. The wedding feast provides an opportunity for families to express their hospitality and generosity.
Cultural Heritage: The food served at the wedding functions can reflect the cultural heritage and traditions of the region.
Types of regional Indian cuisines you can find at a wedding in India
- Northern IndiaNorthern Indian food shows a strong Mughal influence. It is characterised by a high dairy content: milk, paneer, ghee and yogurt which are all commonly used in Northern recipes. Some of the popular dishes include; Shahi Paneer, Chole, Mix Vegetable, Kadhi Rice, Dal Makhni and more.
- Southern IndiaSouth Indian weddings celebrate the region’s love of rice, coconuts and locally grown products. The traditional sadya or banana leaf meal is one such thing you must try at a South India wedding. It is an assortment of flavoured rice, sambhar, rasam and an array of vegetable dishes served on a green banana leaf to all the guests who arrive at the wedding.
- Western IndiaIn the West, the Gujarati and Rajasthani wedding are popular for their vegetarian delights such as Undhiyu, Dhokla, Sabudaana Khichdi, Sev Tamata, Gujarati Kadhi, Chana Batata, Dal Baati Churma, Ghevar, Shahi Gatte, Methi Aloo, Bejad Roti and others.
- Eastern IndiaThe Bengali wedding food is generally a mix of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options these include crispy vegetable pakora, Spicy Alur Dum, Cholar Daal with Kuchi Naarkol, Chili Phulkopi, Fish and Meat dishes, Mutton Biryani and others. Assamese weddings, on the other hand, include Chicken with black sesame and patot diya maas among others.Which of these weddings have you attended?