Parojan is a traditional Marwari ceremony performed after important family events like the birth of a son or the marriage of a child. It is an elaborate ceremony similar to a wedding that takes place in the family's native village. As part of the ceremony, the wife goes to her parents' home to invite them and give gifts, and her family then travels to her in-laws for the ceremony. The ceremony involves the wife's brother placing a ceremonial headpiece on her and giving her money. If a couple does not have a son, they can perform Parojan by adopting a boy from the family.

1. ‘PAROJAN’
RESEARCHING THE TRADIONAL
AMEESHI GOENKA
-PDP 210

2. WHAT I ALREADY KNOW?

3. Parojan is a
traditional marwari
function that has
been going on for
many generations.
The function is quite
elaborate, similar to
that of marriage, and
is performed in one’s
native place.
It can be performed
only on those
auspicious days of the
hindu calendar on
which the hindu
marriages take place.

4. Parojan is performed by a
married couple after a son is
born and the marriage of any of
their children.
Families of both the husband and
wife have to be present
throughout the function.
Before the ceremony takes place
the wife goes to her parents
place and invites her side of the
family for the parojan ceremony
with gifts (which can be gold or
silver ware or dry fruits or
clothes and accessories) for them
from her in-laws. This is called
bhaat notna.

5. The family accepts the
invitation and when they arrive
one day before the ceremony.
The wife receives her family
wherein the wife’s brother puts
the odhna on her head and
gives her some money as
‘shagun’. This is called ‘bhaat
bharna’.
The gifts brought by the wife’s
family for the husband’s side is
then given to them .

6. The other things used

7. If the couple does not have a
son the parojan ceremony still
has to be performed before
their daughter’s marriage by
adopting a boy from the family.
There is another type of
parojan which is done for the
when they first get their ears
and nose pierced.

8. As for my grandfather’s story, he was adopted by his dad’s older brother since
he had five or six daughters.
He stayed with them forever.
He wasn’t adopted just for the pooja but was legally adopted before the pooja.

9. WHAT I’D LIKE TO KNOW?

10. • The other small functions that take place and their importance during
parojan.
• The other traditional items used during the ceremony.
• The importance of parojan.
• How did it start?
• How it varies from family to family?
• My grandfather’s complete story.
• More questions will arise as the above mentioned ones are answered.

13. THANK YOU