Bihar Weddings: Paddy Distribution in Tilak Ceremony Linked to Mata Parvati

• Bihar weddings feature a unique 'Dhanwati' ritual during the Tilak ceremony, especially in the Magadh region.
• Paddy distribution symbolizes the formal beginning of the relationship between the bride's and groom's families.
• Acharya Rajesh Kumar Mishra explains that paddy is considered the earth's greatest gift, linked to Mata Parvati as Annapurna.
• The ritual signifies prosperity and fertility, comparing a daughter's transition to a new family with a paddy seedling yielding abundant harvest.
• Paddy is used in various forms like 'laava' (puffed rice) and 'arwa chawal' (raw rice) in other wedding rituals, emphasizing its auspiciousness.

Why It Matters: The 'Dhanwati' ritual in Bihar weddings, distributing paddy during Tilak, symbolizes prosperity and new beginnings.