A baraat is the groom's wedding procession at an Indian wedding. The groom arrives on a decorated horse, in a car or on foot, surrounded by his family and friends, who dance their way to the ceremony to the beat of a dhol and loud music. The bride's family meets them at the entrance to welcome the groom.
If this is your first baraat, or you are half of a fusion couple whose family has never seen one, this guide covers what happens, how long it takes, the music, and what to ask your venue. It also explains what your DJ, MC and dhol player handle so the procession arrives on time and full of energy.
Where does the baraat tradition come from?
The word comes from the Sanskrit varayatra, which means the groom's procession, and the custom is practiced in many communities across the Indian subcontinent (see the overview of baraat traditions). The groom traveled with his family and friends to the bride's home or the wedding venue, often on a mare, a chariot or even an elephant, and arrived to music.
Every region does it a little differently. Punjabi baraats are known for dhol and nonstop bhangra, Rajput processions are traditionally more restrained, and Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali and South Indian families each have their own customs. In American weddings, the baraat is usually a short, joyful procession across the venue grounds just before the ceremony, and for many guests it is the most fun part of the day.
What happens at a baraat?
Details change from family to family, but most baraats follow the same basic order:
- Getting ready. The groom dresses, and in many families a relative ties on his sehra, a headdress or veil of flowers or beads.
- Gathering. The groom's side, called the baraatis, meets at a starting point a short distance from the ceremony entrance: a parking lot, a side lawn, a driveway or a hotel lobby.
- The procession. The groom mounts the horse (the ghodi) or gets into the car, the dhol starts, the music kicks in, and the family dances him toward the venue, stopping often to celebrate.
- The arrival. The procession pauses at the entrance, where the bride's family is waiting.
- The welcome. The bride's family greets the groom and his family. In Punjabi families this is the milni, where matching relatives from each side (the two fathers, the two uncles, and so on) embrace and exchange garlands or gifts. Many families also welcome the groom with an aarti or a garland.
- On to the ceremony. The groom is led inside to the mandap, the canopy where the wedding ceremony takes place, and the guests take their seats.
How long does a baraat take?
The walk itself is often short. What takes the time is the dancing, and a family that loves to dance will happily stretch every stop. Because the ceremony time is usually fixed (many Hindu families choose an auspicious time with their priest), the baraat has to be planned backward from that moment, with room for the welcome and for everyone to get seated.
These are the things that make it run longer or shorter:
| Makes it longer | Keeps it on schedule |
|---|---|
| A long route or a slow horse | A short, mapped route the venue has approved |
| Guests arriving late to the starting point | A clear meeting time on the itinerary, set earlier than the start |
| No one calling the next move | An MC or coordinator who keeps the procession moving |
| The bride's side not ready for the milni | A heads up to the bride's family a few minutes before arrival |
| Rain or heat with no backup plan | A covered or indoor route agreed on in advance |
Ask your planner and your venue how much time the full block should take for your guest count, then give the dancing a firm end point so the ceremony starts when it should.
What music is played at a baraat?
The baraat runs on rhythm. Most processions combine two sources of music:
- Dhol. The dhol is a double-headed drum, and its beat is the heartbeat of a Punjabi baraat. A good dhol player plays to the crowd, follows the dancers and lifts the energy at every stop.
- A DJ with mobile sound. Portable speakers, on a cart or a vehicle, carry recorded songs along the route so the whole crowd can hear and sing along.
Some families also hire a brass band, and many use the dhol and the DJ together: the DJ plays the songs, and the dhol player drums along with them and takes over between tracks.
What songs work for a baraat?
Fast, loud and familiar is the rule. Punjabi bhangra and well loved Bollywood wedding songs are the backbone, with classics such as "Aaj Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai" alongside newer hits like "Gallan Goodiyan" and "Kala Chashma." For a fusion baraat, a few hip hop or Top 40 songs your other guests know will pull them into the dancing. Give your DJ a short must play list and a do not play list, and let them build the order around the crowd.
Horse, car or something else?
The traditional choice is a decorated white mare, and a groom on horseback under a ceremonial umbrella is still the classic baraat image. Many couples now choose a vintage car, a convertible or a decorated vehicle instead, and some grooms simply walk and dance with everyone.
Whatever you choose, check it with your venue first. Some venues do not allow animals on the property or limit where vehicles can go. If the horse is a must, ask the vendor about its experience with crowds, drums and loud music, and where it will be unloaded and parked.
How do you plan a baraat at a hotel or venue?
Most of the planning is about the venue. Before you settle the details, ask your venue coordinator:
- Where the baraat can start and which route it can take on their property
- Whether amplified music and a dhol are allowed outdoors, at what volume, and at what time of day
- Whether a horse or a decorated vehicle is allowed, and where it can be staged
- Whether any part of the route touches a public street or sidewalk, which may need permission from the local authorities
- What the rain plan is: a covered driveway, a loading area or an indoor hallway
- Where elderly guests can watch or ride along if they cannot walk the route
Share the answers with your photographer, videographer and DJ, so everyone knows where the procession starts, where it stops and where the milni will happen.
What do your DJ and MC do at the baraat?
The baraat is short, but it is one of the busiest moments of the day for your entertainment team. Here is what we handle:
- Mobile sound. Music that moves with the procession, so it is loud at the front and still clear at the back. Some couples add a DJ van, as in the review below.
- The dhol player. Our dhol players work with the DJ, so the drum and the songs build together instead of competing.
- Timing. An MC or party motivator keeps the energy up, keeps the timeline moving, and helps make sure the bride's side is ready for the welcome.
- The switch to the ceremony. While the procession arrives, the ceremony sound is ready inside, with microphones for the priest so every guest can hear the rituals.
Couples who have done it with us describe it best:
"We used Planet DJ for sound at our ceremony sites, dj, party motivator, some lighting, photobooth, dhol player and dj van during our traditional hindu baraat, so we used them for A LOT. They were always responsive and easy to communicate with during the planning process. The services provided the day of were stellar and our guests had an amazing time. We wanted to focus on a combination of hindi, farsi and American music and they delivered. Our guests from each different culture never stopped dancing which is a testament to how good the dj and motivator were. I would highly recommend them, especially for a fusion wedding."
Stephanie Smith and Akash Khanna
Baraat, sangeet and mehndi: how do they fit together?
The baraat happens on the wedding day itself, right before the ceremony. The sangeet, the music and dance night with family performances, and the mehndi (also spelled mehendi), the henna ceremony for the bride, usually take place a night or two before. Each event needs its own sound and its own plan, which is why many families book one team for the whole weekend.
Planning a baraat in Virginia, Maryland or DC?
Planet DJ Productions has been playing Indian, South Asian and fusion weddings across the DC Metro area since 1996, from the baraat to the last song of the reception. Read more from couples on our reviews page, then check your date or call us at 877-737-3262. We are happy to talk through your baraat, even if you are only starting to plan.
Frequently asked questions
Who walks in the baraat?
The baraat belongs to the groom's side: his parents, siblings, extended family and friends, known as the baraatis. The bride's family traditionally waits at the venue to welcome them. At many American weddings, friends of the couple from both sides join the dancing too, so it is worth telling guests on the itinerary where and when to meet.
Does the bride take part in the baraat?
Traditionally, no. The bride is getting ready, and her family is waiting at the entrance to receive the groom. Some modern brides watch from a window or a balcony, and a few surprise everyone by joining the dancing for a song. It is your wedding, so talk it through with both families and do what feels right.
What should guests wear to a baraat?
Indian or festive formal clothes are welcome, but comfort matters more than usual because guests will be walking and dancing outdoors. Comfortable shoes, layers for the weather and an outfit that is easy to dance in are all good ideas. Couples often put a short note about the baraat on their wedding website.
Can you have a baraat indoors or in bad weather?
Yes. If rain, cold or venue rules keep you inside, the procession can move through a covered driveway, a lobby or a long hallway to the ceremony room. It will be shorter and the volume may need to come down, but with a dhol player and good music it still feels like a baraat. Agree on the backup route with your venue in advance.
