Shaadi.ca » Hindu Wedding

Datar

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:15:42 +0000

After friends and family have greeted the couple, they leave for the grooms house. At the entrance of their new home, the brides feet are rinsed by the grooms parents. A cover is placed over her head as she sprinkles milk in all corners of the house. This signifies that she will maintain the respect of the family and that if there are any misunderstandings within the family, she is supposed to help solve or “cool” them.

Surrounded by her new family, the bride picks up a handful of salt and places it in the hands of her husband. He passes it back into her hands without spilling any salt. This is done three times. Similarly, the «datar» is carried out with all members of the grooms family. Exchanging salt symbolises that just as salt blends in and gives taste to food, so must the bride blend in and become a part of her new family.

Ashirwaad

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:13:20 +0000

The priest explains to the couples their responsibilities to each other and then gives them his holy blessings. This completes the marriage ceremony.

Kanyadan

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:12:33 +0000

The brides parents entrust their daughter in the safe keeping of the groom and his family.

Wedding Ceremony

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:11:05 +0000

The wedding ceremony is performed by the priest in the presence of family and friends. The bride and groom are seated in front of a holy fire and the priest recites various religious sayings from the Holy scriptures. According to the Hindu religion, fire is considered the sustainer of life. It is believed that the Gods and Goddesses sit around this auspicious fire. The priest directs various family members to give offerings into the holy fire. The couple walks around the fire four times exchanging vows of duty and love, fidelity, respect and a fruitful union. the groom then places the brides hand on his forehead, to denote that he accepts her as his wife for better of for worse, in health or in sickness and that it his destiny to marry her. The couples heads are held together implying that although they are separate individuals, from this day onwards, they are one in body, mind and spirit.

Hathialo

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:07:50 +0000

In this ceremony, the corner of the brides sari is tied to a scarf which is worn by the groom. The right hands of the couple are tied with a thread that has been blessed with religious incantations. The typing of the hands signifies an eternal bond that will join them forever. The couple then pray to the Gods to give them strength and bless their union.

Swagatam

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:07:06 +0000

After the bride dresses up in her wedding ensemble, her sisters or female relatives escort the groom to the brides house. At the entrance, the groom places his right foot on the top of the brides foot, signifying that he should be the dominating strength in their life together. After the groom enters the house, the brides parents rinse his feet with milk and water. It is believed that due to all the prayers that have preceded this moment, the groom is an embodiment of Lord Vishnu on this wedding day.

Ghari Puja

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:06:20 +0000

This is the final and most important religious custom that is performed on the eve of the wedding day. «Ghari Puja» 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.

Married ladies grind wheat on a small old fashioned grinder symbolising that the home will always be prosperous. 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 mothers of both the bride and groom dress up in their bridal finery. Carrying an earthen pot of water on their heads, they walk to the threshold of their homes.

The son-in-law of the respective families cut the water with a knife to ward off any evil spirits. The parents are adorned with garlands of flowers and money by their friends and relatives. The bride and groom wear old clothes that are torn off by their friends and family members amidst merriment, illustrating the end of their old life.

Nav-Graha Puja

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:04:11 +0000

This is the prayer to the nine planets of our Solar System. Ancient Indian studies indicate that various celestial bodies have tremendous influence on the destiny of every individual, and among them the effect of the nine planets is “supposed” to be the most profound. During this puja, the Gods associated with these planets are asked to bless the couple and their families.

Sagri

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:03:23 +0000

The sisters and female relatives of the groom visit the bride-to-be in her home. They bring with them perfume, cosmetics and flowers that are strung together in the form of earrings, bangles, hairpieces and garlands. The sisters adorn their sister-in-law to be with the flowers, suggesting their affection for her. The purpose of this ceremony is to increase familiarity between the bride and her new family, creating an atmosphere that is fragrant and beautiful.

Sangeet Party

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:02:47 +0000

Music is the soul of any wedding ceremony, regardless of faith or origin. Without music & festivity, the wedding lacks sparkle. On the Sangeet night, entertainment is provided with the help of professional singers who sing popular Hindi film songs. Family and friends eat, drink and dance the night away.