/3 min read
Jaago Ceremony Jewelry: What to Wear on Jaago Night
What the Punjabi jaago night is, what happens at it and which jewellery suits a night of dancing, from jhumkas and tikkas to parandis.
By Neha Parihar, founder
Jaago is a Punjabi wedding tradition held at night, a day or two before the wedding. The word means "wake up". Family members go out singing and dancing to tell everyone a wedding is coming.
It is one of the loudest and happiest events of a Punjabi wedding. The jewellery you wear needs to look festive and survive a lot of dancing.
What happens at a jaago
The jaago is usually led by the nanke, the maternal side of the bride or groom's family. A decorated pot is lit with small lamps or candles. One of the women carries it on her head. The group follows with singing and dancing.
- Women sing boliyan, short Punjabi folk verses, often funny or teasing.
- In Punjab, the group traditionally went from house to house in the village. Today many families hold it at home, in a hall or as part of another event.
- The night is full of giddha and bhangra, and it runs late.
Customs differ between families and regions. Some do a jaago for both the bride and the groom. Some combine it with the mehndi or sangeet.
What to wear
Most women wear a bright Punjabi suit, a lehenga or a sharara. Phulkari dupattas are common. Jewellery should match that festive mood, but it also has to stay put while you dance.
Jewellery that suits jaago night
Jhumkas and chandbalis
- Big earrings look great with a Punjabi suit.
- Choose ones with support chains if they are heavy.
- Pick a pair you can dance in for hours without sore ears.
Maang tikka or passa
- A tikka frames the face in photos.
- Pin it firmly. Use small clips along the chain so it does not slide.
- A smaller tikka is easier for a night of dancing than a heavy bridal one.
Parandi
- A parandi is almost part of the jaago look.
- Black with bright tassels is the traditional style.
- It moves when you dance, which is half the fun.
Necklace or choker
- A choker stays in place better than a long necklace.
- If you wear a phulkari dupatta, keep the necklace simple so they do not compete.
- Avoid long chains that can catch on the pot or other dancers.
Bangles
- A stack of glass or metal bangles adds sound and colour.
- The bride may already be wearing her chooda by this point if the jaago is close to the wedding, though many brides wear it only from the wedding morning.
- Keep at least some space on your wrists if you plan to clap and hold hands in a circle.
Practical tips
- Do a dance test at home. Jump, turn and shake your head. If anything moves, fix it before the night.
- Keep heavy kundan or polki for the wedding day.
- Bring safety pins, bobby pins and a small pouch.
- If you carry the jaago pot, skip anything that sits on the top of your head.
- Choose pieces that will not be ruined by a little sweat or spilled drink.
- Pick earrings you can take out quickly if your ears get sore.
Matching with family
Jaago is a group event. Many families choose a colour for the night and order matching jewellery for sisters, cousins and the nanke. Parandis and jhumkas are the easiest to match because they suit many outfits.
For the bride
The bride often joins the jaago once it reaches her. Her look is usually lighter than on the wedding day. A medium set of earrings and tikka, a parandi and her mehndi on show is a common choice. Keep your heaviest pieces for the wedding.
If the jaago is the night before the wedding, think about the morning too. You may be up early for the chooda ceremony. Choose pieces that come off quickly and pack them away before bed, so nothing gets lost.
How Outbox House can help
- Shipping is free across Canada on orders over $150, and across the US over US$200.
- Book a free appointment, in studio or on video, to see pieces up close and ask about sizing.
- Our studio is at 47 Humberstone Crescent, Brampton. See how to reach us.
We can help you plan jaago jewellery for a group, including matching parandis and earrings, over a video call.