This is a very common tradition across different cultures in India. While some have the tradition where the bride’s parents wash the groom’s feet, others make the bride herself wash his feet. While in earlier days, the tradition made some sense as grooms generally walked barefoot from one village to another for the wedding, in modern days with cars replacing feet and even horses, this tradition is outdated. In Assamese tradition, it is the bride’s sister who washes the groom’s feet. It only seems insulting to get two adults, as old as the groom’s own parents and deserving the same amount of respect, to wash the feet of the groom. Neither is the groom forced to walk barefoot anymore nor does he have to travel long distances…….
