India is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse and vibrant countries. It’s no surprise, then, that Indian wedding ceremonies are incredibly rich in culture and tradition. Indian wedding traditions are known for their opulent displays of colour, music, and dance, as well as their elaborate ceremonies and rituals that take place over several days.
The wedding rituals themselves begin 15 days before the wedding, with Barni Band-hwana, where a piece of thread, called Mauli, is tied to the hands of both the groom and his parents to humbly request a safe wedding day from the gods.
The next step is Mayara, the “Maternal Uncle’s Ceremony.” He brings gifts for the mothers of both the bride and the groom, including the dresses they will wear at the wedding.
The traditional Indian wedding itself is a ritual of three separate events: the Sangeet and Mehendi, the ceremony, and the reception celebration.”
The Wedding Ceremony
As part of Indian wedding traditions, the ceremony begins with Kanyadaan, a ritual where the bride’s parents give their daughter away to the groom. The Pandit then ties their ceremonial scarves together, and the bride and groom join hands to prepare for the Mangal Phera ritual. Hand in hand, the bride and groom walk around the ceremonial fire 4 times. Each turn represents a major goal in their future together: Moksha, spirituality; Kama, personal gratification; Dharma, morality; and Artha, prosperity. In a practice called Havan, the couple is then given a mix of herbs, flowers, and rice which they offer to the sacred fire to complete the prayers.
The next ritual is called the Saptapadi, where the couple takes 7 steps together to show their support for each other in a happy marriage. Each step represents a vow that they make to each other. The Pandit then offers blessings for an abundance of happiness, children, food, and prosperity.
Kumar
November 1, 2023Hello,
Just came across your website. Are your dates for 22/23/24 Feb 2024 free for a wedding. Rooms required would be approx 50-60, guests would be about 200-250.