Indian Hindu Marriage is one of the most important events in one's life and the purity that is associated with it is supreme. While religious rites, functions, ceremonies are there in every marriage, it is more so in the case of Hindu marriages. A traditional Hindu marriage is an elaborate affair and lasts for five to six days. Indian Hindu marriages connote complex rituals, customs and colorful celebrations. Every wedding ritual is hugely significant and is followed with much commitment. The function comprises three parts: pre wedding function, wedding day function and post wedding function.
The Hindu wedding is performed as per the customs and traditions of the community to which the Hindu bride and the Hindu groom belong. The wedding is not just limited to the bride and the groom but it implies the coming together of the two families and from now it assumes all the more importance.
Hindu matrimony is also called as Vivah (Shadi) in Hindi, before the wedding, the parent’s match the kundli (janmaksher) of the prospective bride and the groom, if it matches only then they proceed forward and fix the day and date of marriage after consulting the pundit.
Pre wedding ceremony
Occasion of Barni Bandhwana: This is a ritual that is performed 15 days before the main day wedding. In this ceremony prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha to invoke his blessings for the marriage to happen without any obstacles.
Occasion of Byaha Haath: During this ceremony a paste of sandalwood powder, rose water and turmeric is applied on the face hands and feet of the bride and the groom. After this ceremony the bride and the groom are not allowed to go outside of the house.
Melody of Sangeet Sandhya: This is one of the most important events before the marriage day. It is an evening of lively entertainment. The event is celebrated amidst much song and dance by the family and friends of the bride and the groom.
Memorable of Tilak Ceremony: Tilak is an auspicious mark that is applied by the male members of the bride's family on the groom's forehead. This is followed by giving gifts to the groom.
Mehendi Occasion: This event is celebrated by applying Mehendi on the hands and feet of the bride. It is believed that the deeper the color of the mehendi is on the hands of the bride, the luckier she would be after marriage.
Wedding ceremonies
Var Mala: This is the exchanging of the garlands between the bride and the groom. It signify the acceptance of each other a husband and wife. It starts the other rituals of the wedding day.
Havan: This is the most important ritual of the wedding day. The priest ties the end of the bride's saree to that of an end of the groom's dress suggestive of holy wedlock. The bride and the groom then take seven rounds around the sacred fire chanting marriage vows for a happy married life.
Kanya Daan: This ceremony is usually performed by the bride's father wherein he gives the hand of his daughter to the groom asking him to take care of her. The groom recites hymns and asks for blessings.
Post wedding ceremonies
Vidaai: This is an emotional occasion when the bride takes leave of her parents' house and proceeds towards her husband's house. She is given a tearful farewell by her family and friends.
Griha Pravesh: This is the rousing welcome that is given to the bride at the house of the groom. The bride kicks a vessel full of rice and coins symbolizing wealth and fertility and enters her new abode.
Mooh Dikhai: The groom's family next starts a series of rituals and wedding games. This helps the new member to be comfortable and at ease in the family.
The Hindu wedding is performed as per the customs and traditions of the community to which the Hindu bride and the Hindu groom belong. The wedding is not just limited to the bride and the groom but it implies the coming together of the two families and from now it assumes all the more importance.
Hindu matrimony is also called as Vivah (Shadi) in Hindi, before the wedding, the parent’s match the kundli (janmaksher) of the prospective bride and the groom, if it matches only then they proceed forward and fix the day and date of marriage after consulting the pundit.
Pre wedding ceremony
Occasion of Barni Bandhwana: This is a ritual that is performed 15 days before the main day wedding. In this ceremony prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha to invoke his blessings for the marriage to happen without any obstacles.
Occasion of Byaha Haath: During this ceremony a paste of sandalwood powder, rose water and turmeric is applied on the face hands and feet of the bride and the groom. After this ceremony the bride and the groom are not allowed to go outside of the house.
Melody of Sangeet Sandhya: This is one of the most important events before the marriage day. It is an evening of lively entertainment. The event is celebrated amidst much song and dance by the family and friends of the bride and the groom.
Memorable of Tilak Ceremony: Tilak is an auspicious mark that is applied by the male members of the bride's family on the groom's forehead. This is followed by giving gifts to the groom.
Mehendi Occasion: This event is celebrated by applying Mehendi on the hands and feet of the bride. It is believed that the deeper the color of the mehendi is on the hands of the bride, the luckier she would be after marriage.
Wedding ceremonies
Var Mala: This is the exchanging of the garlands between the bride and the groom. It signify the acceptance of each other a husband and wife. It starts the other rituals of the wedding day.
Havan: This is the most important ritual of the wedding day. The priest ties the end of the bride's saree to that of an end of the groom's dress suggestive of holy wedlock. The bride and the groom then take seven rounds around the sacred fire chanting marriage vows for a happy married life.
Kanya Daan: This ceremony is usually performed by the bride's father wherein he gives the hand of his daughter to the groom asking him to take care of her. The groom recites hymns and asks for blessings.
Post wedding ceremonies
Vidaai: This is an emotional occasion when the bride takes leave of her parents' house and proceeds towards her husband's house. She is given a tearful farewell by her family and friends.
Griha Pravesh: This is the rousing welcome that is given to the bride at the house of the groom. The bride kicks a vessel full of rice and coins symbolizing wealth and fertility and enters her new abode.
Mooh Dikhai: The groom's family next starts a series of rituals and wedding games. This helps the new member to be comfortable and at ease in the family.
