Roka
Roka and tilak invitation messages, in English and Hindi
By Ved RK, founder of Shubh Invitation · · 4 min read
The roka is the day two families say yes to each other, and the tilak is when the bride's family welcomes the groom with a mark of blessing. Both are close, family-first ceremonies, so their invitations are warm and short. Here are messages to copy for each, in English and Hindi, with WhatsApp lines and what to include.
In short
A roka invitation tells close family that the match is fixed and asks them to bless the couple, with the date, time and place, usually home or a banquet. A tilak invitation, sent by the groom's family, invites guests to the ceremony where the bride's brothers apply tilak to the groom. Keep both short, warm and personal.
What the roka and the tilak are
- Roka: the formal agreement between two families, mostly in Punjabi and North Indian homes. Families meet, exchange shagun, sweets and gifts, and "stop" (rok) looking for other matches. It is often small, at home, and can come weeks or months before the engagement, or on the same day.
- Tilak: in many families from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and nearby, the bride's brother and male relatives go to the groom's home, apply a tilak on his forehead and give gifts. It is usually held a few days before the wedding, and the groom's family invites the guests.
- Related ceremonies: Punjabi families may hold a chunni chadana, when the groom's family drapes a chunni over the bride. The same messages work with the name changed.
Roka invitation messages from the family
Roka invitations usually come from the parents, and go to close relatives and family friends.
With the blessings of our elders, we are delighted to share that our daughter Simran's roka with Arjun, son of Mrs. and Mr. Rajinder Malhotra, will take place on Sunday, 22 November 2026, at 12 noon at our home. Please join us to bless the couple. The Bedi family.
Rab ne bana di jodi! We invite you to the roka ceremony of our son Kabir with Ishita on Saturday, 28 November 2026, at 7 pm at Celebrations Banquet, Ludhiana. Your presence will make the day complete.
Two families, one happy beginning. Please join us for the roka of Ananya and Rohan on Saturday, 5 December, at 11 am at the Sharma residence, followed by lunch.
We are happy to share that Neha's rishta is fixed with Vikram. A small roka ceremony will be held at our home on Sunday, 29 November, at 5 pm. We would love to have you with us. Mrs. and Mr. Anil Kapoor.
Short roka messages for WhatsApp
For close family on WhatsApp, a short, happy message with the invitation link is enough.
Rishta pakka! Simran's roka is on Sunday, 22 November. Do come and bless the couple. Details in the link.
Big news from our family: Kabir's roka is fixed for 28 November! Please join us. ❤️
Shagun, sweets and lots of hugs: roka on Saturday at 11 am, at home. Please come!
It's official! Ananya and Rohan's roka is on 5 December. We can't wait to celebrate with you.
Small family function, big happiness. Please join us for Neha's roka this Sunday at 5 pm.
Tilak invitation messages
Tilak invitations come from the groom's family, often in Hindi, and name the families on both sides with respect.
With the blessings of Lord Ganesha, we invite you to the tilak ceremony of our son Aman, on Thursday, 3 December 2026, at 4 pm at our residence, 12 Civil Lines, Prayagraj. Your presence will bring us joy. Mrs. and Mr. Ramesh Tiwari.
Please join us for the tilak of Chi. Saurabh on 10 December at 6 pm, when the family of Sau. Kanchan will bless him. Dinner follows. The Mishra family.
Hindi
॥ श्री गणेशाय नमः ॥ आपको सूचित करते हुए हर्ष हो रहा है कि हमारे सुपुत्र चि. अमन का तिलकोत्सव गुरुवार, 3 दिसंबर 2026 को सायं 4 बजे हमारे निवास पर संपन्न होगा। आपकी गरिमामयी उपस्थिति प्रार्थनीय है। निवेदक: श्रीमती एवं श्री रमेश तिवारी।
Hindi
सादर आमंत्रण: चि. सौरभ के तिलक समारोह में आप सपरिवार पधारकर आशीर्वाद दें। दिनांक 10 दिसंबर, सायं 6 बजे, उसके बाद प्रीतिभोज। मिश्रा परिवार।
Roka invitations in Hindi
बड़ों के आशीर्वाद से हमारी बेटी सिमरन का रोका चि. अर्जुन के साथ रविवार, 22 नवंबर 2026 को दोपहर 12 बजे हमारे घर पर होगा। आप सपरिवार आकर जोड़ी को आशीर्वाद दें। बेदी परिवार।
रिश्ता पक्का हो गया! कबीर और इशिता के रोके में ज़रूर आइए, 28 नवंबर, शाम 7 बजे। आपके बिना ख़ुशी अधूरी है।
दो परिवार, एक नई शुरुआत। अनन्या और रोहन के रोके में शनिवार, 5 दिसंबर को सुबह 11 बजे शर्मा निवास पर पधारें, भोजन के साथ।
More Hindi lines for the next step are in सगाई निमंत्रण संदेश.
What to write on a roka or tilak invitation
| What | Roka | Tilak |
|---|---|---|
| Who invites | The parents of the bride or the groom | The groom's family |
| Guests | Close family and family friends | Family, neighbours and friends of the groom's side |
| When it is held | Weeks or months before the wedding | A few days before the wedding |
| Place | Home, a banquet or a restaurant | Usually the groom's home |
| Include | Both names, date, time, place, a line asking for blessings | The groom's name, the bride's family, date, time, place, dinner |
Send it with Shubh
On Shubh you can make a roka or tilak invitation free, in English, Hindi or both side by side, and send it as one WhatsApp link. Guests reply in one tap, and when the engagement and the wedding are fixed, you can add them to the same invitation.
Browse roka invitation designs, and read engagement invitation messages and Indian wedding functions, in order.
Questions
- What is written on a roka invitation?
- The names of the couple and their families, the date, time and place, and a line asking guests to bless the couple. Most roka invitations go only to close family.
- Who sends the tilak invitation?
- The groom's family, since the tilak is held at their home when the bride's family comes to bless the groom.
- Is the roka the same as the engagement?
- Not quite. The roka is the families' agreement to the match; the engagement or sagai, with the exchange of rings, often follows later, though some families hold both on one day.
- Can I send a roka invitation on WhatsApp?
- Yes. A short personal message with the invitation link works well, with a phone call to elders.
Roka designs to open as a guest
Make your roka invitation
Choose a design, add your words and functions, and send it on WhatsApp. Guests reply in one tap. Free to start.
