Uttarakhand’s Garhwal villages have new wedding rules: Only three gold ornaments, no alcohol, and Rs 50,000 fine for violators

Villages across Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region have introduced new wedding guidelines that limit women to wearing only three gold ornaments and prohibit alcohol at ceremonies, according to a report in the Times of India. The move, driven by local panchayats in Chakrata’s tribal areas and Uttarkashi’s Dunda block, is part of a collective effort to make weddings simpler and more affordable while discouraging displays of wealth.

In Chakrata’s Kandhad and Indroli villages, the panchayat decided that women can wear only a nose pin, mangalsutra, and earrings during weddings. Any family that violates the rule will face a fine of Rs 50,000. The resolution came after discussions among women who said that the cost of gold and social pressure to wear heavy jewellery were putting financial strain on less affluent households.

“For weddings, women are invited for a community meal — it's part of our tradition before the marriage of the elder son,” said Leeko Devi, 45, from Kandhad. "But gold had turned that into a burden. Every year, the pressure grew — more ornaments, more judgement. Now, we've decided we'll all wear the same three pieces, and that's enough."


Following this rule, villagers also turned their focus to banning alcohol. "It doesn't add anything meaningful to our ceremonies. It just turns weddings into shows of wealth," Devi added.

In Uttarkashi’s Dunda block, Lodara village took the lead by passing a gram sabha resolution to ban alcohol at weddings and ‘mundan’ ceremonies. A fine of Rs 51,000 will be imposed on violators, and any family that serves liquor will face social boycott.

“No one from our village will attend a wedding where alcohol is served,” said Kavita Butola, Lodara’s village head. “The idea came after discussions involving the Mahila Mangal Dal and Yuvak Mangal Dal. People are fed up with weddings turning into expensive shows rather than cultural traditions.”

Villagers said these steps were essential to curb the growing social pressure to spend lavishly on jewellery, catering, and drinks. “Jewellery once symbolised joy,” said Arjun Singh, a village elder from Kandhad. “Now it causes anxiety. Parents lose sleep before their daughter’s wedding, worrying about how to afford it all.”

Supporting the reforms, Tikam Singh, 56, said, “Earlier, weddings were about rituals, food, and music. Now they’ve become about DJs, imported liquor, and staged photos. These new rules help us return to our roots.”