siraman

Siraman is a traditional Javanese ritual performed as a purification and blessing before a wedding. It is part of adat (customary) practices in Indonesia and is usually conducted for the bride and groom in the days leading up to the wedding, emphasizing spiritual cleansing and readiness for married life.

The ceremony typically involves pouring water over the couple, often from a decorated pitcher or small teapot into a basin or over the head and body. Elders, usually parents or other respected relatives, perform the act and often use water infused with flower petals, fragrant oils, or herbs. The rite may be carried out for the bride first and then for the groom, or sometimes for the couple together, depending on family preference. The setting is informal and intimate, often held at the family home or a venue prepared for the wedding, with prayers and blessings accompanying the act.

Symbolically, siraman represents purification, humility, and the family’s blessing for the couple’s future. Water is seen as cleansing both physically and spiritually, preparing the bride and groom to begin married life with sincerity and harmony. The ritual is frequently followed by other ceremonies in the Java-inspired wedding sequence, such as the midodareni or paes, and its exact form can vary by household and regional tradition.

Regional variations exist, with some families modifying the materials, order, or timing of the rite, but the core meaning remains consistent: a solemn blessing and purification as couples approach marriage.