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A wedding is the occasion of love, commitment, and celebration of religion and culture. One such ceremony is the Hindu wedding ceremony. Hindu wedding culture joins two souls spiritually, mentally, and physically. Actually in Indian marriage is not only about two couples, it joins two families together. In the modern era, this is more obvious as a wedding lies between the couple’s expectations while combining their family traditions. With most of the rituals and small ceremonies to big ceremony, it joins both couples and families forever.
Hindu weddings are very colorful, spiritual, tangled- planned, cultural festivals full of tradition and celebration. You went as a guest, as a member, or just simply curious about to know. There are some Hindu wedding ceremony rituals and traditions you should know. Let’s start
1. The wedding date is determined in the stars
Before the wedding, a propitious date which is basically known as muhurta is fixed for the event. Pandit Ji determines that actually how many qualities of the bride and groom are matched using the couple’s date of birth, they calculate the position of the planets and stars to reflect the celestial union of the couple. At the time of the ceremony, the gotra of both the couples is announced. What exactly the gotra is, it is the ancestral lineage or the ancestors’ original clan. According to Hindu law, marriages should not take place within the same clan.
2. There's a Pre-Party Called the Sangeet a Few Days Before the Wedding
Before the big wedding ceremony, there is a pre-party called the Sangeet. Where family come together to sing, dance, and revel in the joy of the upcoming union. They do some special performances. The bridal family sings traditional songs to welcome the groom.
3. Mehndi Ceremony
Bride’s hands and feet decorated with Heena. This function took place at the time of the Sangeet or after the Sangeet. There is a belief in the Hindu wedding ceremony first is the darker the mehndi the more mother-in-law fond of her daughter-in-law. And the second thing is that the more the darker mehndi the stronger the marriage will be mand the more husband loves her wife. But nowadays mostly Heena is applied to decorate the bride’s hand. And one more interesting fact is their groom’s name will be hidden in the mehndi and groom have to find his name in the bride’s hand. Actually, this is a very interesting and funny task. Where the groom’s patience has been checked. Mehndi ceremony took place one day before the wedding. Brides close family members and friends take place.
4. Bride Wears Red Dress
According to Indian rituals bride always wear a red dress. Like Sari or something modern lehenga. It looks so beautiful with beautiful patterns, rich in color, and with gold embroidery.
5. The Groom’s Arrival is a Celebration in Itself
Groom then arrives at the bride’s place or the wedding place. Which is known as Vara yatra or Barat. This is celebrated with great joy. And the bride’s family welcomes the groom and its family to the wedding hall. They sang traditional songs to welcome the groom. This is one of the important and enjoyable parts of the wedding it is such as fun experience with music and dance. The groom party is welcomed with a special rice toss, known as akshat and arati.
6. The Father of the Bride Gives Her Away
The bride will be led to the ceremony by either her brothers or uncles. Then the father does a very important ritual called Kanyadaan, which is a very emotional movement of the Hindu wedding culture. This is a Hindu ritual that no man can claim a woman until she is offered. During this ceremony bride’s father give her hand in the groom’s hand.
7. The Couple Weds Under a Mandap
The mandap is the temporary structure constructed for the wedding ceremony. It is decorated with flowers and greenery to give texture and crystals. The wedding couples sit under the mandap with family members.
8. A fire burns in the Center of the Mandap
Fire kindle in the center of the mandap. An Indian marriage is a spiritual bond, not a contract. To show the feasibility of the ceremony, fire is the witness of their wedding. And the bride’s brother gives three fistfuls of rice to the bride to wishing for her happy marriage. Each time bride offers rice to the fire. This ritual is also known as homam.
9. Hindu Wedding Rituals Begin With a Prayer to Ganesh
The main wedding ritual begins with worship Ganesh, who is known as the God of beginnings and worships for good fortune and the remover of obstacles. Greetings are offered so that Ganesha may asphalt the way for the couple’s married life.
10. The Couple Exchanges Floral Garlands During the Jai Mala
This is another ritual where Jai mala is exchanged between the bride and groom. Jai mala is a flower garland. The main purpose of the Jai mala is a symbol of partners welcoming each other into their families. Without Jai mala Hindu wedding ceremony not consider as completed.
11. The Groom Adorns The Bride With a Necklace Called the Mangala Sutra
Mangala Sutra is a black and gold bead necklace. Groom place this necklace on the bride. This was said in the past that, Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity, is come in the Mangala sutra, and the bride receives these blessings from her marriage.
12. The Bride and Groom's Garments Are Tied Together as They Circle a Fire
Saptapadi is one of the most important rituals of the Indian wedding ceremony. During this ceremony bride’s veil and groom’s sash tied together. Then they round the fire seven-time and make seven promises to each other for a lifetime. Actually, the main goal of this Saptapadi is establishing friendship in both of the couples.
13. Red Powder is Applied to the Bride’s Hair, This shows She is Married
Groom apply Sindoor, which is a red-orange powder that is applied to the head of the bride. It makes the wedding complete.
14. The newlyweds Shower each other with Rice
Actually, this custom is basically to enjoy in south India. Where it is known as talabralu, known as a ritual of happiness. In this custom bride and groom, both showered each other with rice, turmeric, saffron, and even with pearls. This ritual shows fertility, prosperity, and happiness.
15. Vidaai Ceremony
Vidaai ceremony is a very emotional movement. Where the bride leaves her parent's home. Actually, not all bride's farewells end with happiness, smile, or sparkles. The goodbyes are heartwarming and tearful during the Vidaai ceremony. The ceremony ends by walking away spreading happiness and prosperity with handfuls of rice and coins to be thrown over her head to show her appreciation for the time and love given to her in the home of her parents.
I hope you will love this article on 15 Hindu Wedding Ceremony Traditions You Will Definitely Love. You can also go through some other interesting blogs as well.