Jaggo Ceremony in Punjabi Weddings
What Is the Jaggo Ceremony?
Jaggo is a lively pre-wedding celebration in Punjabi weddings where family members carry decorated pots (often lit with lamps) on their heads while dancing through the streets to announce the upcoming wedding.
The word Jaggo comes from “jagran,” meaning to stay awake — symbolizing celebration through the night.
When Is Jaggo Held?
Jaggo is usually held one or two days before the wedding, typically in the evening or at night. It often takes place before or alongside the Sangeet ceremony.
Who Typically Celebrates It?
Jaggo is most common in:
- Sikh Punjabi weddings
- Hindu Punjabi weddings
- Families from Punjab or Delhi with Punjabi roots
It is especially prominent in traditional Punjabi households.
What Happens During the Jaggo Celebration?
Relatives dress in vibrant traditional outfits and dance to dhol beats. A decorated brass pot (called a gagar) with diyas is carried on the head of an aunt or female relative. The procession may move through the neighborhood, with singing, clapping, and high-energy bhangra.
Modern destination weddings sometimes recreate Jaggo as a staged dance event.
Is Jaggo Optional or Regional?
Jaggo is regional to Punjabi weddings and not practiced in most other Indian communities. It is optional but culturally significant in traditional Sikh and Hindu Punjabi families.