Weddings of the World - 12 Part Mini Series - Hindu Weddings
Hindu Wedding Traditions:
The engagement:
A traditional Hindu custom is arranged marriage; the parents select the prospective bride/groom for their son/daughter. An astrological chart at the time of birth (Jathakam) is used to check the compatibility of the match. Some also take advice from a Brahmin (Jothidar or Panthulu) who has the details of many people looking to get married.
Mehndi Ceremony:
Highly exotic, intricate patterns decorating the bride's hands and feet with henna is called Mehndi. It is believed that the color of Mehndi signifies the essence of love in a marriage, so it is put on bride's hand to strengthen that bond of love. The female friends and family members of the bride rejoice and celebrate this occasion, as henna gets painted on her hands and feet. Apart from the bride, the family members also get their hands painted with henna.
Older traditions show that the names of the bride and groom were to be hidden in the design, and on the wedding night the groom would search for the hidden names. In fact, the wedding night could not commence until the groom had found both names. After the wedding, the bride is not expected to perform any housework until her Menhdi had faded away.
Sangeet (Musical) Party:
On the Sangeet night, music is sung, played, and danced too. Family and friends eat, drink and dance the night away. Traditionally only the women celebrated this ceremony but however now both men and women participate in this celebration.
Eve of the Wedding:
On the eve of the wedding the Ghari puja ceremony is performed. This is the final and most important religious custom and is carried out in the respective homes of the couple. The priest performs the prayers with rice, coconut, wheat grains, oil, betel nuts, turmeric and a number of other spices.
During this event, the mother and close female relatives dress up in their finery. They carry earthenware pots of water on their head and plant a small stalk in their garden in celebration of the marriage. The son-in-law of the respective families cut the water with a knife to ward off any evil spirits. The groom offers a handful of grains to the priest indicating that although he is changing his lifestyle, he will always give to charity and look after those less fortunate than himself.
The bride and groom are dressed in old clothing. Their individual families then tear off their old clothes, symbolising the exit from their old, unmarried lives. Nowadays, the Ghari Puja is often combined with the cleansing ceremony (Pithi) during which the bride and bridegroom are pasted with turmeric powder in a beautification process. The Pithi can also take place on the wedding day morning.
The Wedding:
The Hindu wedding lays emphasis on three essential values: happiness, harmony, and growth. The ceremony should be held on a day in the "bright half" of the northern course of the sun.
The Hindu wedding takes place under a mandap (tent), which is beautifully decorated and adorned with flowers. The main Hindu wedding ceremony is an elaborate affair, attended by a large number of relatives, and friends.
One of the most significant rituals the bride and the groom perform is the Saptapadi (Seven Step) around a scared fire and light, which is symbolic to God. While the bride and the groom take the seven circles, the priest or purohit recites the mantras and speak of the real essence and significance of marriage. It is also during this time that the groom applies sindoor (red or orange-red coloured cosmetic powder) to the center parting of the bride’s hair and puts mangalsutra (an auspicious thread) around her neck.
Sacred Fire Ceremony:
The bride and groom walk seven steps together to signify the beginning of their journey through life together. Each step represents a marital vow:
Resources:
http://weddings.iloveindia.com/indian-weddings/hindu-marriage/hindu-marriage-rituals.html
http://www.weddingdetails.com/lore/hindu.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_wedding
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage_in_Hinduism
For the next little while I will be giving you a glimpse of different wedding traditions around the world. To truly be inspired one must dive into the rich cultures life has given us.
Our first stop was Tibet. Our second and third stop will be through South Asia the 1st being the Hindu wedding Traditions:
The engagement:
A traditional Hindu custom is arranged marriage; the parents select the prospective bride/groom for their son/daughter. An astrological chart at the time of birth (Jathakam) is used to check the compatibility of the match. Some also take advice from a Brahmin (Jothidar or Panthulu) who has the details of many people looking to get married.
After the selection procedure is over, the family members of the couple ask the priest to suggest an auspicious date for the engagement also known as a Ring Ceremony. The Ring ceremony or Mangni is held before the wedding. Both the families exchange gifts, sweets and good wishes. A formal ring ceremony is then done to solemnize the engagement ceremony. The prospective bride and groom are then introduced to each other’s family. A lunch or a dinner is organized for all the family members and guests.Jatakam or Kundali is drawn based on the placement of the stars and planets at the time of birth. The maximum points for any match can be 36 and the minimum points for matching are 18. Any match with points under 18 is not considered as an auspicious match for a harmonial relationship. If the astrological charts of the two individuals (male and female) achieve the required threshold in points then further talks are considered for prospective marriage. Also the man and woman are given a chance to talk and understand each other in the duration anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour. (Marriage in Hinduism Wiki)
Mehndi Ceremony:
Highly exotic, intricate patterns decorating the bride's hands and feet with henna is called Mehndi. It is believed that the color of Mehndi signifies the essence of love in a marriage, so it is put on bride's hand to strengthen that bond of love. The female friends and family members of the bride rejoice and celebrate this occasion, as henna gets painted on her hands and feet. Apart from the bride, the family members also get their hands painted with henna.
Older traditions show that the names of the bride and groom were to be hidden in the design, and on the wedding night the groom would search for the hidden names. In fact, the wedding night could not commence until the groom had found both names. After the wedding, the bride is not expected to perform any housework until her Menhdi had faded away.
Sangeet (Musical) Party:
On the Sangeet night, music is sung, played, and danced too. Family and friends eat, drink and dance the night away. Traditionally only the women celebrated this ceremony but however now both men and women participate in this celebration.
Eve of the Wedding:
On the eve of the wedding the Ghari puja ceremony is performed. This is the final and most important religious custom and is carried out in the respective homes of the couple. The priest performs the prayers with rice, coconut, wheat grains, oil, betel nuts, turmeric and a number of other spices.
During this event, the mother and close female relatives dress up in their finery. They carry earthenware pots of water on their head and plant a small stalk in their garden in celebration of the marriage. The son-in-law of the respective families cut the water with a knife to ward off any evil spirits. The groom offers a handful of grains to the priest indicating that although he is changing his lifestyle, he will always give to charity and look after those less fortunate than himself.
The bride and groom are dressed in old clothing. Their individual families then tear off their old clothes, symbolising the exit from their old, unmarried lives. Nowadays, the Ghari Puja is often combined with the cleansing ceremony (Pithi) during which the bride and bridegroom are pasted with turmeric powder in a beautification process. The Pithi can also take place on the wedding day morning.
The Wedding:
The Hindu wedding lays emphasis on three essential values: happiness, harmony, and growth. The ceremony should be held on a day in the "bright half" of the northern course of the sun.
The Hindu wedding takes place under a mandap (tent), which is beautifully decorated and adorned with flowers. The main Hindu wedding ceremony is an elaborate affair, attended by a large number of relatives, and friends.
One of the most significant rituals the bride and the groom perform is the Saptapadi (Seven Step) around a scared fire and light, which is symbolic to God. While the bride and the groom take the seven circles, the priest or purohit recites the mantras and speak of the real essence and significance of marriage. It is also during this time that the groom applies sindoor (red or orange-red coloured cosmetic powder) to the center parting of the bride’s hair and puts mangalsutra (an auspicious thread) around her neck.
Sacred Fire Ceremony:
Havan (Lighting of the Sacred Fire)
The couple invokes Agni, the god of Fire, to witness their commitment to each other. Crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar rice and oil are offered to the ceremonial fire.
Rajaham (Sacrifice to the Sacred Fire)
The bride places both her hands into the groom's and her brother then places rice into her hands. Together the bride and groom offer the rice as a sacrifice into the fire.
Gath Bandhan (Tying of the Nuptial Knot)
The scarves placed around the bride and groom are tied together symbolizing their eternal bond. This signifies their pledge before God to love each other and remain faithful.
Mangalphera (Walk Around the Fire)
The couple makes four Mangalpheras around the fire in a clockwise direction representing four goals in life: Dharma, religious and moral duties; Artha, prosperity; Kama, earthly pleasures; Moksha, spiritual salvation and liberation. The bride leads the Pheras first, signifying her determination to stand first beside her husband in all happiness and sorrow.
- To provide for food always.
- To give you excellent health and energy.
- Practice and follow Vedas, during your life time.
- To give you happiness in life.
- To make your cows and good animals grow in strength and in numbers.
- To make all the seasons be beneficial to you.
- To make the homams (sacrifices to be done in Holy Fire) to be performed by you in your life as ordained in Vedas, successful and free from hindrances.
The bride and groom walk seven steps together to signify the beginning of their journey through life together. Each step represents a marital vow:
- First step: To respect and honour each other
- Second step: To share each other's joy and sorrow
- Third step: To trust and be loyal to each other
- Fourth step: To cultivate appreciation for knowledge, values, sacrifice and service
- Fifth step: To reconfirm their vow of purity, love family duties and spiritual growth
- Sixth step: To follow principles of Dharma (righteousness)
- Seventh step: To nurture an eternal bond of friendship and love
Resources:
http://weddings.iloveindia.com/indian-weddings/hindu-marriage/hindu-marriage-rituals.html
http://www.weddingdetails.com/lore/hindu.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_wedding
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage_in_Hinduism
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