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People of Himachal Pradesh are known as Kumaonis

The people of Himachal Pradesh are generally known as Kumaonis and their unique marriage ceremonies sets the Himachali's wedding apart. Though weddings are less expensive and simple but are duly performed with a number of rituals and traditions. Not only in villages of the state but almost in most of the Kumaoni traditional weddings a white flag known as 'Nishan' leads the marriage procession representing the bridegroom. The Nishan is followed by drummers, pipers and a white palanquin carrying the groom.

End of the Procession is Marked by a Person Carrying a Red Flag

-The end of the procession is marked by a person carrying a red flag who represents the bride. Once all the wedding ceremonies are over at the girl's place and when the marriage part returns back it is the other way round, where the red flag takes the lead followed by a red palanquin of the bride, succeeded by the white palanquin of the groom, and the white flag at the tail end of the procession.

Kumaoni Wedding nvolves the Kneading of the Wheat Flour

Usually among most of the religions in India as a part of engagement, rings are exchanged between the bride and the groom. But this is quite different in Kumaoni wedding for the ring is given to the bride by the brother of the groom to the would be sister- in -law and the groom's ring is given to the younger brother normally on the wedding day itself.

Suwal Pathai is one of the important ritual in Kumaoni wedding which involves the kneading of the wheat flour and rolled much thinner than the rotis and sundried. Then it is dipped in the dry flour and fried in oil and is first offered to God and then to all the guests. This is then followed by Duligargh and flowers are exchanged between the bride and the groom. This common folklore is followed in most parts of Himachal Pradesh.