WedBlogs: Episode 1: What does a Hindu Wedding consist of?

What does a Hindu Wedding consist of?

Weddings are full of various religious customs and traditions of culture. They are always a very emotional and heartful moment for the family as their loved ones start a new journey in their lives. As an event Planner, One must have a good knowledge of all the rituals that a wedding culture consists of. All the arrangements should be according to the theme and culture of the ritual. Every particular ritual has its own sentiment and value which makes them unique on their own. Let’s learn about all the important rituals that a Hindu traditional wedding consists of:

Roka ceremony and Bariksha Ceremony

Roka or Shagun is a process of exchanging sweets, fruits, dry fruits, and clothes between a couple’s families. This event marks the consent of both families and the couple about their decision to get married. There could be a significant time gap between Roka and the wedding as people or families do need time to look after several aspects of Hindu wedding preparation.

Barikhsa is a ritual when all dear ones of the bride’s family, usually male members, gather and go to the groom’s home to bless him with gifts such as clothes, sweets, and fruits as shagun. The ritual meant that the boy will now be the son-in-law of the family. In some parts of India, a small puja also takes place with the help of a priest.

Engagement Ceremony

Unlike western culture, an engagement ceremony in India is celebrated as a public announcement that the two souls have decided to marry each other. With the acceptance of marriage proposals, a couple come face-to-face and exchange rings in a private event amid close family members of both families.

Mandap Ceremony and Lagan writing

The mandap is adorned with floral decorations and bells and consists of four pillars, symbolizing the four parents who worked hard to raise their children. The mandap is significant to Hindu weddings as it serves as the stage for which guests and family witness the couple wed.

Bachelorette Party

A Bachelor party is usually given to the groom/bride by their friend and it could be an evening party in the home town or could be some extravagant destination party! Mostly Bachelor party is attended by groomsmen and bridesmaids who warm his friend about all the big responsibilities coming his way.

Mehendi Ceremony

The Mehendi ceremony is held the night before the wedding and is beautifully applied to the hands and legs of the bride. In some families, the groom’s hands are also beautifully filled with henna designs.

The purpose of the ceremony is to wish the couple good health and prosperity. Not only this, but females of the house also apply henna designs on their hands. Earlier, the girls of the family took the responsibility of prep for the ceremony.

Haldi

The thick turmeric paste of Haldi is applied to the bride in the morning before the wedding. In north India and a few other parts of India, the Haldi ceremony happens after the Mehndi night. Applying Haldi brightens the skin by detoxifying the skin of the bride and groom for the big day, and the yellow color indicates purity and glowing health. In some parts of the nation, the bride and groom with all the relatives wear yellow colored dresses on that day.

Sangeet Ceremony

The sangeet ceremony takes place before or after the Mehndi according to the rituals of different parts of India. All the relatives and guests dance with joy, and everyone blesses the groom and bride for their bright married life. The sangeet function is commonly happening in a few parts of north India, but it is slowly expanding its legs over South Indian weddings.

Wedding Day

At the bride’s side, all the preparations begin to welcome guests and the groom for the wedding, but at the groom’s side, several rituals are followed as said by or performed from generation to generation. Let’s also have a look at these groom’s side wedding ceremonies.

Groom’s welcome and bride’s entry

Once everyone’s milni is done, the hero of the ceremony “the groom” arrives at the venue but he can’t enter without giving the toll. As of now it’s time for the bride’s side to get some cash out of the groom’s pocket and this is where the art of the deal, the real negotiation comes into play. After the groom arrives at the wedding venue, everyone is waiting for the bride’s grand entry! Usually, the bride is accompanied by sisters and brothers.

Varmala Ceremony

Jaimala or Varmala is a ritual in the Hindu wedding and the first ceremony that takes place at the wedding venue, in front of a large number of guests. The bride and groom put flower garlands around each other’s necks, which, in a contemporary marriage is followed by an elaborate photo session and exchange of gifts. The ceremony is considered to signify the union of two souls, two families, values, and customers.

The Vidaai

After the Hindu wedding rituals are done, the vidaai takes place and marks the completion of the ceremony. Vidaai suggests that the bride will now leave her family to move to her in-law’s house. This is an extremely emotional moment for the bride, where she has to officially say goodbye to her family, who she leaves behind to move to his husband’s house.

Reception Ceremony

The reception function is the official introduction of the bride to the groom’s family. A feast is thrown by the groom’s family that welcomes the family of the bride as well as all significant people from the community and neighborhood. These days, music and dance have become a common part of the reception ceremony.

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