Wedding Functions · Bhaat
How to Arrange a Bhaat: Welcoming the Bhaatis, Seating, Pehravni and the Meal
The bhaat is the day before a wedding when the mother's side of the family, led by the maternal uncles, comes to "fill the bhaat" with clothes and gifts. Three things matter most on the day: a proper welcome when the bhaatis arrive, a decorated chowki for the pehravni (when the uncles dress their sister and her child), and seating and food for everyone. Bharat Tent & Light House, Khorra brings all of it to your home, sets it up and takes it back after the ceremony.
Here is the tent wala's view of what the day needs, in the order it happens.
When should you tell the tent house about the bhaat?
Tell us the bhaat date the same week the mother goes to her parents' home to invite her brothers (bhaat nyotna). That helps in two ways:
- If the bhaat is a day or two before the wedding, the wedding tent can go up early, so one setup serves both the bhaat and the wedding
- Knowing roughly how many bhaatis are coming lets us plan seating and food properly
1. Welcoming the bhaatis: gate and tilak spot
The bhaatis usually arrive together, and the songs start in the street. Outside the house we set up:
- A small gate dressed with flowers or drapes, where the sister does the tilak of her brothers
- A small table for the tilak thali
- Durries along the path if the street is wet or muddy, so elders can walk in comfortably
2. The pehravni chowki: the heart of the bhaat
The real ritual is when the uncles dress their sister and nephew or niece. Every photo is taken here, so this spot gets:
- A decorated chowki or sofa to sit on
- A backdrop of drapes and flowers behind it, for good photos
- A covered table next to it for the bhaat gifts (clothes, utensils, jewellery boxes), so they are on display and safe
3. Seating: bhaatis, family and the village women
There are three groups of guests, and it works best to seat them separately:
| Who | What we set up |
|---|---|
| Bhaatis (mother's side) | Chairs at the front, under the shamiyana |
| Women singing the bhaat songs | Durries and gadde next to the pehravni chowki |
| Family and village guests | Chairs or durries towards the back |
For a daytime bhaat in good weather an open shamiyana is enough; for an evening bhaat or uncertain weather, a pandal closed with kanat. In summer we also put coolers under the shamiyana.
4. Bhaat songs: mic and sound
The bhaat songs are the soul of the ceremony. So that guests at the back can hear, we set up a mic and speakers (on demand). If you want a DJ in the evening, it goes into the same booking.
5. Feeding the bhaatis
A bhaat isn't complete until the bhaatis have eaten. Our halwai sets up the bhatti at your home, and we bring:
- Large utensils and crockery, with a separate serving table for the bhaatis
- Durries, thalis and bowls if you serve in pangat
- A water counter
You choose the menu; the halwai can suggest dishes if you like. Our bhandara guide also helps you estimate food for a large group.
6. After the bhaat
In most homes the haldi-mehndi or ghudchadhi follows the next day. If the same items are needed for those, we leave them in place and only change the decoration; otherwise we pack everything up after the ceremony. Transport is free within 25 km of Khorra, and we plan the whole bhaat within the budget you tell us, agreeing up front what is included.
FAQ
What does a bhaat need from the tent house?
Usually: a small welcome gate outside the house, a shamiyana or pandal, chairs for the bhaatis, durries and gadde for the women, a decorated chowki and backdrop for the pehravni, a mic for the songs, and a halwai with crockery for the meal. Bharat Tent & Light House, Khorra brings and sets up all of it together.
Should we take a shamiyana or a pandal for the bhaat?
For a daytime bhaat in clear weather, an open shamiyana is enough and lets air through. For an evening bhaat, cold weather or a chance of rain, take a pandal closed with kanat. Tell us the guest count and we'll suggest the size.
Can the bhaat and wedding share one tent setup?
Yes, if the bhaat is a day or two before the wedding. We put the wedding tent up early, add the pehravni decoration for the bhaat day, then change the decoration for the wedding. That saves setting up and taking down twice. Give us both dates at booking.
Do you provide a mic for the bhaat songs?
Yes, a mic and speakers on demand, so the songs carry to the back. If you want a DJ in the evening, it goes into the same booking.
Can you provide a halwai for the bhaatis' meal?
Yes. Our halwai cooks at your home on a bhatti, and we bring the large utensils, crockery and serving tables. WhatsApp the expected number of bhaatis and the menu to 99918 64283 and we'll send a full estimate.