Indian Hindu weddings are rich in culture, traditions, customs and celebration. Weddings are the celebration of the togetherness of two people and families Every ritual of a Hindu wedding has some hidden meaning behind it. Are you planning to marry Hindu men or women? However, if you are marrying a Hindu partner, you should learn about all the Indian traditions and customs as the people are very serious about their rituals.
As India is a diversity-rich country, Hindu wedding traditions and customs vary from one region to another. However, the marriage ceremony is incomplete without following all the rituals. Nowadays, couples are customizing their marriages based on their choices and the below write-up will help you to understand what to keep and what you can eliminate.
Dive into the roller coaster ride of Hindu wedding customs and learn how every ritual is related to the prosperity and happy married life of the couple.
Hindu Wedding Customs and Traditions
- Sangeet – The Ultimate Music fest
The desi musical night of big fat Indian weddings and sangeet is a time when two families celebrate each other’s presence in their life.
Sangeet is the most musical and colourful Indian tradition and custom of the Hindu marriage ceremony. The whole family gathers together to cherish the togetherness of the bride and groom. Both bride and groom side host either an individual sangeet night or a common one.
Besides this, it is a musical and dance battle among both families and lit up the evening with outstanding performances. Family members convey their feelings towards the bride and groom with melodious songs.
- Henna on Bride’s Hand and Feet
The Mehendi ceremony is one of the most auspicious Hindu wedding customs, usually the bride’s side hosts. This event usually takes a day before the wedding. The henna design focuses on the events related to marriage, bride and groom. Also, there is the name of the groom hidden in the henna artwork on the bride’s hand. Later the groom finds out his name which reflects his patience towards the bride and his relationship with the bride.
There are numerous beliefs associated with the Mehendi ceremony that “the darker the henna the more the mother-in-law will love her daughter-in-law”. The second one is that the darker the henna the stronger the marriage of the couple.
- Beliefs related to Red Colour
You will never see a Hindu bride in a white colour dress. According to Hindu, traditions red is a very auspicious colour as it symbolises the Goddess Durga. Also, Maa Durag signifies new beginnings and feminine strength. Usually, you will find the bride wearing a vibrant red colour lehenga or embroidered saree.
Nowadays, modern brides choose shades of orange, pink, yellow, pastels and bold blues with embroidery and zari work.
- Groom’s Arrival at the Wedding Venue
As per Hindu wedding traditions, the bride’s side makes all the arrangements for the wedding ceremony. The groom and his family side come to the wedding venue. The arrival is commonly called vara yatra or baraat and is celebrated with joy.
The bride’s family welcomes the groom’s side with a rice toss (akshat), garland and arati. Also, the groom’s mother-in-law put tilak on his forehead.
- Kanyadaan of the Bride
The bride is led to the ceremony by her brothers, uncles or bridesmaids. In Hindu wedding traditions, the father giving their daughter away to the groom is called Kanyadaan. Grooms can’t claim a bride until she is offered.
Kanyadaan is one of the most important rituals, where the bride’s father places his daughter’s hand into the soon-to-be son-in-law.
- Mandap Ceremony
A mandap or wedding altar is a temporary structure for the numerous wedding ceremonies. In the centre, a fire is lit up. Fire is the most sacred element and it is involved in the wedding ceremony as the witness of the togetherness of bride and groom in wedding traditions in India. The couple give offerings to the fire like handful of rice to the fire while the priest chants the mantras.
- Pheras (Vows)
Saptadi is important in north Indian wedding traditions, where newlyweds’ cloth pieces (bride-dupatta/ groom’s sash) tie together. Moreover, Bride and Groom take 7 pheras (vows) where they promise each other loyalty, harmony, family and martial accountability. Under 7 pheras both bride and groom rotate around the burnt fire – hand in hand.
In south India, the couple walks 7 steps together to establish a friendship.
- Mangalsutra Necklace and Sindoor
The new spouse drapes a necklace of black and gold beads around the bride’s neck. According to Hindu wedding traditions, the Goddess of wealth and fortune lives in the Mangala sutra the auspicious thread. The bride receives blessings for her happy life.
The husband applies red-orange sindoor (vermillion) on the bride’s forehead during the mandap ceremonies. Moreover, it is a sign of marital status. The colour of the sindoor changes from region to region.
After the marriage, the wife usually wears the sindoor regularly on their hairline.
- Exchange of Floral Garlands
Jai mala is a flower garland exchange by bride and groom. According to Hindu wedding traditions, Jai mala symbolises the partners welcoming each other into their respective families. Also, Jai-mala is the beginning of the wedding day rituals.
- Wedding Rituals Begin with Ganesha Prayer
Lord Ganesha is the symbol of fortune and obstacle remover, so before the beginning of the Hindu wedding traditions, the couple performs a Ganesh Pooja together. The couple offers salutations to the lord for a happy married life.
After the pooja, the priest announces the gotra of both sides to be Weds. Moreover, Hindus cannot marry in the same clan.
- Rice Shower
Bride and groom shower each other with rice as per wedding traditions in India. In South India, the ceremony is named talambralu where the couple showers each other with a mixture of rice, turmeric, saffron and even pearls.
The meaning of the tradition is fertility, prosperity and happiness in the new life of the couple.
In some parts of regions of India, the other family members also participate in the ceremony.
- Ashirwad and Blessings
Last but not least, the newlywed couple receives the blessings of their families after performing all the customs. The couple goes to their elders and touches their feet to take blessings.
The elders of the family wish them luck, give them shagun and bless them for a happy married life.
Conclusion
Hence, you are ready with the ultimate guide to the Indian traditions and customs of Hindu marriage. If you don’t understand the culture, you can’t keep your partner happy. Find your diverse yet perfect match on the Matchmaking Show.
Hence, get ready with your knowledge, wedding dress and matchmaking application form to land up on the location of a perfect partner.
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