Traditional Indian Marriage

India is a land of diverse culture and religion. Every region of the country has its own unique way of celebrating their marriage. Be it east, west, north and south all the four regions have its own wedding customs and rituals. Marriages in India are not just coming together of two individuals and exchange of vows and rings, but it marks the bonding of two souls, two families, their culture and their communities. Indian wedding is not an affair of few hours but it is a matter of several eventful days. All the family members and friends get together for the celebration. It is said that marriages are made in heaven but celebrated in country like India. The marriage rituals and customs unfold different stories behind it. Condensed over centuries of cultural admixture, Indian weddings showcase the rich culture and tradition of India. The practices of Indian wedding are different according to the particular region. There are various rituals with which you can associate an Indian wedding. The wedding celebration is divided into three parts pre wedding, main day and post wedding. The pre wedding rituals vary according to the region. But the ceremony of mehendi is prevalent more or less in every caste and region. The ceremony of mehendi is celebrated mostly at bride's place where female friends and relatives of the bride gather to put henna on bride's feet and hand. Among the other rituals garland ceremony is the most popular rituals, which is celebrated more or less in every part of the country. On this occasion the bride and the groom garland each other as a sign of mutual acceptance. On the main wedding day a wedding altar or mandapa is built on the wedding venue within which the marriage is conducted. The rituals, which were performed on that day is totally based on the regional customs and traditions. The ritual of putting sindoor or vermilion powder in the parting of the bride's hair by the groom is the ritual followed mostly in the northern and eastern part of the country. Rituals like kanyadaan, vidaii, tying of mangal sutra around the bride's neck, saptapadi (seven steps), in which the couple moves seven times together around the fire exchanging the wedding vows, here fire acts as a witness of their marriage. These are some of the common rituals practiced in all the castes.The wedding rituals were initially simple and easy to follow but nowadays it has become more complicated due to unnecessary customs like dowry. The custom of dowry is mostly prevalent in the marriages in villages. In educated and high society families dowry system is not seen so much. But whatever may be the rituals and customs the actual essence behind all wedding celebration is the union of two souls, two families and two communities. And that makes Indian wedding an unique celebration of culture and tradition.

The Wedding Day Preparations

Indian weddings are sacred religious ties between the families of the bride and the bridegroom. They are elaborate, expensive and emotional events, which are eagerly awaited, by all the young girls and boys when they are given royal treatment on this day. The traditional weddings used to be more than a week long though people cut short the events these days. There is an event for almost everything. The main day wedding function involves various rituals and customs, which are to be performed. There are various preparations to be looked after before the min day ceremony.The wedding itself is a long, stretched out process, when all the Hindu deities are called upon and asked to bless the new couple. The bride and the bridegroom take seven steps around the fire, vowing devotion and love to each other and agreeing to take care of each other in all circumstances. There are various events to ensure laughter in the wedding ceremony such as when the younger sister of the bride tries to steal the shoe of her new brother-in-law and asks money as ransom. After the ceremony, the bride leaves for her new home. This is the most emotional moment of any Indian wedding, when the bride take leave of all her family members to start a new life in her husband's home. In the bridegroom's home, an elaborate wedding reception is organized in the honor of the bride where all the family member from both sides are once again invited and dances and songs fill this happy night. There are special traditional songs for all the ceremonies in the Indian weddings that are sung at the various occasions. Elaborate costumes for the bride and the bridegroom add a touch of royalty to the marriage customs.