Traditional Indian Marriage - A Grand Affair!

The Sanskrit word of marriage is 'Vivah' which brings two individuals in matrimony binding them eternally in a relationship that is sacred & pure. The union between the two takes place, as they vow, chanting mantras formally to live together with each other forever. The journey into life begins, with both holding hands, discovering each other along the way.

Indian wedding is a special occasion, an epitome of pride & joy, for the Bride & Groom, for their friends, family & relatives. For the gaiety of wedding, money is spent without consideration. Indian traditional wedding is a combination of meaningful rituals, traditions & the customs practiced have symbolic & spiritual meaning. The ceremony is performed in Sanskrit & sequences of rituals are the highlights of the wedding.

Shri Ganesha puja is a must for every wedding, seeking good luck & removing all obstacles from the way before beginning any ritual. Other deities are also evoked to preside over the wedding ceremony. On the wedding day, the bride's family welcomes the groom with a red tilak (mark with coloured powder) on his forehead, signifying the Lord's blessing upon him. He is then led to the mandap (wedding canopy) where the wedding ceremony will take place. The bride, who was so far hidden, comes to the mandap & a curtain between the two restricts them from seeing each other. After the curtain is lowered, they will exchange flower garlands accepting each other. The parents of the bride perform the Kanya Danam (giving away the bride). The bride's hand is placed on the grooms & the parents ask him to accept her. Agnideva (fire God) is evoked to witness the proceedings & the priest lights a sacred fire to which ghee, rice & other things are added. The bride and groom hold hands in union, his shawl is tied to her saree representing union of soul. With the groom leading the bride & then vice versa, they walk seven rounds around the fire, exchanging vows along the way, symbolizing the beginning of their journey. The groom then places sindoor (red powder) between the parting of the bride's hair & ties the Mangalasutra, marking her as a married woman. The newly married couple then seeks the blessings of the priest, family and friends & is adorned with gifts & flowers. They then proceed to have meal together.

The customs & rituals in the Indian wedding are being practiced for about 4000 years now. The wedding process unites the bride & groom & creates strong ties between the two families. The wedding is the beginning of a journey of a man & woman throughout their married life.

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