Wedding at home · Water
Water at a Function: Drinking Water, the Halwai's Kitchen, Washing Up, a Handwash Point and Keeping Mud Out, with Tanks, Drums, Tubs and a Water Counter (Function Me Pani Ka Intezaam)
Everyone talks about the tent, food and decoration while planning a wedding, but water is often remembered only on the last day. Yet a function needs water constantly in four places: for drinking, in the halwai's kitchen, for washing up and for washing hands. Fall short in any one and guests notice first. And water flowing the wrong way turns the pandal into mud. This guide covers how to divide up the water arrangements. Bharat Tent & Light House, Khorra supplies steel tanks, drums, tubs, buckets, jugs, glasses and a water counter with the tent.
1. First: where will the water come from
Before the function, be clear about the source: the house tap, a tubewell motor, or a tanker.
- If water comes by motor, it must run during power cuts too, so add the motor to the generator calculation; see what size generator
- If you're getting a tanker, fix its timing so the tanks are full before the halwai starts
- Keep drinking water and other water separate
2. Drinking water
- A water counter a little apart from the food counters, so the crowd doesn't jam in one spot
- Drinking water always in covered containers; pour from a jug into glasses, never dip glasses straight into a tank or drum
- In a big pandal, water at more than one place: by the food, by the stage and by the elders' seating
- At a pangat, jugs and glasses for each row or servers going round with water; see buffet or pangat
- In summer water use rises sharply, so keep far more drinking water than usual and the counter in the shade
3. Water for the halwai's kitchen
The halwai starts first, and his work can't go an hour without water:
- Steel tanks and drums filled by the kitchen, so water needn't be carried from afar again and again
- Tubs and buckets for washing vegetables and kneading dough
- The kitchen tank separate from the drinking water
- The halwai's full kit is on the halwai and catering page
4. The washing-up area
- At the back, away from the pandal and dining area, out of sight
- Big tubs, water drums and separate dustbins for leftovers
- Pick ground where water drains outwards, not towards the pandal; dig a small channel if needed
- For a night function, light here too
5. The handwash point
- A handwash corner for before and after eating: a filled bucket or drum with a mug, soap and a towel
- For a pangat, on the way out; for a buffet, near the counters but away from the crowd
- Check first where the waste water will go; the handwash point gets muddy fastest
6. Keeping out mud and electrical risk
- Every water point (kitchen, washing up, handwash) downhill of the pandal
- Durries or mats on paths through wet areas so the elderly don't slip
- Electric wires well away from the water counter, coolers and washing-up area, and no touching switches with wet hands; more in tent safety
- For preparing the whole site, see preparing the space before the tent
7. By function
- Wedding: all four at the largest scale, with the water counter ready as soon as the baraat arrives
- Bhandara: a pangat in rounds, so a team serving water and full drums
- Jagran: water for the whole night, and thermos flasks for tea
- Kaaj and tehrvi: simple but complete water and handwash arrangements; see arranging a kaaj
Tell us your function and guest count on 99918 64283; tanks, drums, tubs, jugs, glasses and the water counter come with the tent in the quantity you need.
FAQ
How do I arrange water for a wedding?
Split it into four: drinking water (a water counter), the halwai's kitchen (tanks and drums), the washing-up area (tubs and drums) and a handwash corner. Fix the water source first, and keep drinking water separate.
Can I get water drums and tanks on rent?
Yes. Bharat Tent & Light House, Khorra supplies steel tanks, drums, tubs, buckets, jugs, glasses and a water counter with the tent.
Where should the water counter go?
A little apart from the food counters, in the shade, so the crowd doesn't jam in one place. In a big pandal, keep water near the stage and the elders' seating too.
Where should washing up be done?
Behind the pandal and dining area, where water drains outwards rather than towards the pandal. Keep tubs, drums, dustbins and lighting there at night.
How do I keep the pandal free of mud?
Put every water point downhill of the pandal, lay durries or mats on wet paths, and keep electric wires away from water.