Tradition of “Joota Chupai”: Please don’t steal my shoes!

One of my favorite traditions in Indian weddings is that of “Joota Chupai” or stealing shoes. So the tradition starts when the groom sits for the puja, he takes off his shoes. At that point, his saalis or the bride’s sisters/cousins/bridesmaids steal the shoes and return them for some money. It is the job of groomsmen/groom’s brothers/cousins to not let the bride’s entourage to steal the shoes, and at the same time the bride’s side has to try their best to get the shoes and hide them.

Image Courtesy: Flickr

It is not about the money, but the fun that comes along with the tradition. The bride’s side usually comes up with crafty ways of hiding the shoes. In the movie “Hum Aapke Hain Kaun“, Madhuri Dixit and other cousins of the bride hid the shoes in a “laddoo” box. Once the time comes to return the shoes to the groom, the “saalis” negotiate with the groom and his side for the money.

"Joote de do Paise le lo" from Hum Aapke Hain Kaun

The tradition of “joota chupai” is a really fun way of involving the family and friends in the wedding. I will end this post with the video of “Joote De Do, Paise Le Lo” for your entertainment. We would love to hear about your “joota chupai” experiences!