2. Hindu Marriage In the Hindu religion, marriage is considered
more of a sacred ritual than a contract. Hindu marriage is a
life-long duty and commitment between husband and wife. It is
considered on of the strongest bond that a man and woman have. A
Hindu marriage isnt just a marriage between two people, it is also
between two families. The most important step in a Hindu marriage
is picking the bride and groom. Usually in a love marriage, the a
boy and girl select heir own life partners, but in arrange marriage
the parents of elders of the family choose the prospective life
partner for their son/daughter.
3. Pre-Marriage Ceremony and Preparations The night before the
wedding, the palm and feet of the bride are decorated with Mehendi
(also known as Henna). It is said that the color of the mehendi
signifies the essence of love in a marriage Both the bride and
groom perform certain rituals in their own home. They are covered
with yellow-colored dye which softens the skin, cleanse the body
and makes it fragrant. It is washed off in the morning on the
wedding day.
4. Since the wedding takes place at the brides home, a mandap
or canopy is set up and decorated. This is where the wedding
ceremony will take place. Lord Ganesh, the remover of all
obstacles. He is worshipped at the beginning of rituals and
ceremonies.
5. Wedding Day Preparations The wedding day starts with a
prayer to Lord Ganesh to remove all evil and help with a successful
and peaceful end of the ceremony. Then there is the Grah Shanti,
worship of the nice planets. According to ancient Indian studies,
various celestial bodies have a destiny of every individual. During
this ritual, the gods who are connected to the plants are asked to
instill courage, peace of mind, and inner strength to the bride and
groom to help them tolerate lifes sufferings. Traditionally, the
groom sets out to the brides home dressed in a traditional yellow
gown and a turban, riding a horse. He is usually accompanied by a
smaller younger brother/cousin/nephew, known as the sarwala. Then
sets of with the Baraat (Wedding Procession), dancing and singing,
to bring his bride home.
6. Drag picture to placeholder or click icon to add The Bride
is dressed in a traditional Indian Bridal Gown, usually red or
yellow. She wears a bindi (a dot placed in the middle of the
forehead, between the eyebrows) ,a tikka( similar to a bindi,
except it is put in the hair and falls right above the bindi), nose
ring, ivory and gold bangles, which also extends onto the fingers
as rings, earrings, necklaces and anklets. Basically all the
jewelry and decorations are to cover all the exposed parts of the
body of the bride. The brides face is usually covered with a
veil.
7. The Wedding Ceremony Milaap: The groom and the baraat arrive
at the brides home and meets the brides family. Dvar Puja: At the
entrance, the father of the bride and the father of the groom hug
one another. Vedic hymns are chanted by the Priest (pandit).
Parchan: Women of the brides family, beginning with the brides
mother, honor the groom with aarti ( a form of puja) and flowers.
They perform a ritual to fight off negative vibrations around the
groom. Janwaas: The groom and his baraat are led to Janwaas(place
of rest). The pandit of the bride officially welcomes the groom and
the baraat with prayers. Bride is brought to the Mandap: The brides
mother sits at the back of the bride, offering her final blessings,
and placing the crown on her daughters head. Then , the bride
performs the Lord Ganesh puja. Taak Paat: The brother of the groom
takes an oath to honor, protect and respect the bride as his
sister. He garlands her with a cord of protection. The bride leaves
the mandap temporarily. Var Puja and Madhuparka: The groom enters
the mandap. His feet are washed and he is offered Madhuparka ( a
sweet combination of honey, yogurt, and ghee (clarified butter)) by
the brides father.
8. Kanya Daan: Kanya Daan means the giving away of the daughter
in marriage. The bride sits in front of her groom with her parents
beside her. In her hand, she holds a loi (dough) with a secret gift
inside, which is only known by her parents. The brides parents give
their daughters hand in marriage to the groom while the brides
brother pours water continuously over the loi. Then her parents
officially hand their daughter to the groom, with whom she will
share the rest of her life. Gaatha Bhandan: Tying of the Nuptial
knot. Havan and Bhawar: The Pandit recite Vedic hymns as the couple
,make offerings to Agni Devata (God of Fire). This is known as
Havan. On completion of the offerings, the couple will go around
(bhawar) the sacred fire seven times. The bride leads first,
afterwards the groom will lead. They offer lawa (puffed grains) to
Agni Devata. Sapta Padi: The couple walks seven steps together to
mantras which express their principle duties and needs as
householders. 1. Today we join hearts, minds, and souls. 2. We will
encourage each others hopes and comfort one another. 3. We live
joyously and support our marriage through its trials and triumphs.
4. We will fly towards our dreams and walk through lifes obstacles.
5. We will share our responsibilities, speak and listen to one
another openly and honor one another. 6. We will fulfill our social
obligations and strive for a better future.
9. Dhruva and Surya Darshan: The groom says to the bride, Look
at the pole star (Dhurva). Oh Star! Your position is changeless.
May my wife be unchanging in her love for me. Facing East they say,
Oh Suryadev ( Sun God), may we live for one hundred winters
together with radiant health and energy. Varmala: The Couple
exchange garlands indicating their mutual acceptance. The bride
places her hand on the grooms heart. May we put our hearts together
for a common purpose. The Groom replies, Into my will I take your
heart. Your mind shall dwell in my mind. The Lord has joined you
and me. Shila Rohan (Shila means rock; Rohan means to thread on): a
rock is placed on the north east corner of the mandap and while the
bride places her right foot on the rock the groom says Oh Dulhan
(bride), set your heart as firm as this stone. Be firm in your
resistance to foes and difficult people. Vows: The groom will make
seven vows to the bride and the bride will make one vow to the
groom. The bride will then take her seat on the left side of the
groom, which officially makes her his wife. Sindoor Dhan: Under the
cover of the sheet, the groom privately rubs sindoor on the
hairline of the bride, indicating that she is now married. Rings
are then exchanged. Ashirwaad: Ashirwaad means blessing. The entire
gathering will stand and express their silent congratulations and
to pay respect to the newly married couple. They join the pandit in
his final blessings to bless the happy couple. Afterwards, the
newly weds leave the mandap to offer prayers in the brides home. In
the
10. The groom riding the horse to meet his future in-laws.
Sarwalla, father, groom Brides mother honoring the groom with aarti
and flowers Greeted by the Brides father Janwaas Bride making her
way to the mandap Bride and mother of the bride Bride performing
Ganesh Puja
11. Taak Paat; brother garlands his new sister Bride leaves the
mandap Temporarily Groom enters the mandap, accompanied by
Sarwalla, Father, and Brother The bride reenters the mandap In
style Kanya Daan Havan
12. Bhawar: Going around the Sacred Fire Sapta Padi: Seven
Steps Dhruva and Surya Darshan
13. Varmala: Exchange of garlands Hand on the grooms heart Hand
on the brides heart Sindoor Dhan Exchange of rings Ashirwaad