doli

Doli is a term used in South Asia to denote a palanquin or bridal litter, traditionally used to transport a bride from her parental home to her husband’s home during wedding ceremonies. The word is common in Hindi and Urdu and is often translated as “palanquin” or “litter.” In traditional practice, a doli is a decorated platform or chair carried on poles by several bearers, with cloth, flowers, and other adornments enhancing its ceremonial appearance.

In wedding rituals, the doli is associated with the bride’s voyage from her family to the new household. The procession may be part of a larger sequence known in some communities as vidaai or bidai, which marks a symbolic departure from the bride’s natal home and entrance into the marriage family. The use and style of the doli vary by region and community, reflecting local customs, aesthetics, and religious observances. While some contemporary weddings retain the symbolic doli, urban and modern settings may use alternative conveyances, yet the term remains a cultural reference to this traditional practice.

Beyond its cultural usage, doli can also appear as a given name or surname in various languages, and may appear in geographical or literary contexts as a proper noun. The term’s primary association, however, remains with the traditional bridal palanquin and its role in South Asian wedding symbolism.