How to Do Haldi Kumkum

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Last Updated: September 16, 2021

The Haldi Kumkum ceremony is a Hindu (Indian) tradition where married women exchange haldi (turmeric) and kumkum (vermillion). Haldi Kumkum is a symbol of their married status and wishing long lives for their husbands.

Steps

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1
Place haldi (turmeric) and kumkum (vermillion) into two small bowls (usually special ones are available for this, but you don't need to have special ones). Also add flowers, betel nut leaves, betel nut and coconut (one per female).
- In addition, you may also choose to give bangles, sweets, small novelties and money or gifts.
Place money, coconut and betel nut on the betel nut leaves. Bangles can also be placed with the coconut.

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3
Offer haldi/kumkum to married women and unmarried women. A married woman would take the haldi, but an unmarried woman will only take the kumkum.
- Note: In some customs, haldi/kumkum can be placed on the woman by the person offering it.
She should accept the flower with both hands extended and should wear the flower in her hair.
5
Pick up the coconut with the betel nut leaf, nut and money and offer these to the woman. The woman should accept the coconut by holding out both of her hands.
- If there are more things to be offered, they can be offered now.
You can now repeat the process with the next person.

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Tips

The Haldi KumKum ceremony is more of a gathering for women than serving any religious function. Newly married women host this 'party' to get a blessing from many successfully married women. It is believed that to receive a blessing from married woman is to increase your husband's life.

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When inviting people over for the ceremony, have food available. It doesn't have to be a full-scale dinner, but snack-type items may be provided. Non-vegetarian food (meats) cannot be cooked for this.

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Haldi Kumkum is also called Arshina Kumkuma in Kannada (Karnataka). It is very popular in Western and Southern India.

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Things You'll Need

Haldi (turmeric)
Kumkum (vermillion)
2 two small bowls (usually special ones are available for this, but you don't need to have special ones)
Flowers
Betel nut leaves
Betel nut
Coconut (one per female)
Bangles, sweets, small novelties or money (optional)