Ghunghat (Veil) Practice in Rajasthan :

In ghoonghat practice, facial veiling observed by married women is known as Laaj (Sanskrit: Lajja - modesty, honor, shame). In veiling practice, it literally means "To keep (one's) modesty, shame and honor".

Origin :

The practice of the ghungat is said to have come about during the Muslim invasions of India. It is said that in the 14th century a Muslim invader, Alahuddin Khilji, was visiting the Rajput king Rana Ratansen of Chittor Garha. The guest wing of the palace, where the Mughal ruler was staying, was right across the queen’s quarters. One day the Mughal ruler was strolling outside his quarters when he saw the reflection of Queen Padmini’s uncovered face in the lake that divided the two quarters. He fell in love with her breathtaking beauty and planned an attack on Chittor Garh to win her. On his return he only finds the ashes of the queen, who decided to burn herself than to submit to his lust. From then on, women of Rajasthan and the surrounding states, started to cover their faces in the presence of anyone outside their immediate family, sometimes even members of her own family.

But what is astonishing is that even while making a valuable contribution to the family kitty, and without smoking or drinking away a chunk of this income, rural women continue to play second fiddle to the men. It is clear that the women are donning the ghunghat at the behest of the men. Just as most Muslim women wear purdah not out of personal choice, but because their elders, mainly male, want them to do so.

In these villages, when the men were not around, the women removed their ghunghat without much fuss. In Rajasthan, more than 98% of Hindu women said they practice ghunghat. Although urban areas show some age gradient in the practice, rural areas show little.

Significance :

In ghoonghat practice, facial veiling observed by married women is known as Laaj (Sanskrit: ?????, Lajja - modesty, honor, shame). In veiling practice, it literally means "To keep (one's) modesty, shame and honor". Earliest attested word Laaj in context of veiling is found in Valmiki's Ramayana. However, it is unclear whether it refers to facial veiling.

During a marriage ceremony, the bride wears a veil given by her parents. Later, during the ceremony the bride's mother-in-law covers her face with ghoonghat; she therefore simultaneously wears the veil given by her parents and that from her in-laws, symbolizing her passing from the protection of one's household to another.

Muh Dikhai (Devanagari) : is a post-wedding ceremony, where the bride is formally introduced to the groom's relatives and extended family. The ceremony takes place once the bride arrives in her new home; each family member lifts her veil, looks at the bride and gives her a welcoming gift. She receives Shagun from her mother-in-law, which is typically jewelry, clothing and silverware. After this ceremony the bride observes full veiling for the next few months or until her parents-in-law advise her to unveil.

In State demand has arisen to make law against veil. The veil or veil of curtain is more prevalent in the state than other states and this also spoils the image of the glorious Rajasthan in the world. The state of the state in the human resources index falls in the bottom line. The state is considered backward or sick in many criteria. So it is important for government as well as civil society to get rid of this evil custom.