Hinduism is among the oldest religions which adhere to wedding traditions in the world. Marriage is considered sacred, and its texts date back to 300B.C (The Knot, 2008). Many Hindu traditions have lasted for an extended period, and marriage institutes them all. The Hindu customs, practices, and rituals are crucial to couples and their family members (The Knot, 2008). Therefore, it is essential to understand different ceremonies that incorporate a Hindu union.
The core value of Hinduism is the Vedas which are the spiritual rituals in the culture of Indians. Life is divided into four different stages: studentship, householder, retirement, and self-realization (The Knot, 2008). Marriage is considered a sacrament or a samskara where an individual transitions from studentship to a householder. This ceremony is the primary foundation of the remaining stages. Therefore, three-quarters of an individual’s life is dependent on marriage success.
A traditional Hindu wedding occurs in three days, although some people shorten the events involved. The Knot (2008) explains that Ganesh pooja is the first occasion, and it involves the coming together of family members. The sangeet happens on the second day, similar to the mehndi ceremony, and is attended by many guests. The third day forms the occasion’s climax because it incorporates the primary wedding ceremony and the reception (The Knot, 2008). The groom’s and bride’s families are actively involved in the traditional Hindu marriage. This ceremony celebrates the two households’ unity and the sacred love shared by the two individuals.
The traditions and rituals conducted in a Hindu wedding have significant meaning. Smaller ceremonies such as the mendhi occasion kick off the festivities (The Knot, 2008). The hands and feet of the bride are decorated in unique henna designs before the ceremony begins. The occasion is held in a mandap, with a fire acting as a witness, and is placed at the center. The first official occasion is the Roka ceremony and is the initial marriage step. The groom’s and bride’s parents unite and bless the couple by accepting the union (The Knot, 2008). Both households spend adequate time together and exchange different gifts and sweets as a sign of consent towards the marriage. The Haldi occasion, also referred to as pithi, happens on the wedding day morning. The family members of the bride and groom paint them with a rich yellow haldi paste. The Knot (2008) explains that this color signifies fertility, purity, and beauty and drives off evil eyes; therefore, the couple is blessed with good luck. The bride and groom stay home after this ceremony and are restricted from seeing each other until the wedding happens.
Some Hindu occasions start with invocating Ganesha or Lord Ganesh, the salvation and wisdom god who is believed to have an elephant’s head. This invocation propels Ganesha to eliminate any potential wedding challenges during the Ganesh poojan event (The Knot, 2008). The groom’s party also referred to as the Vara Yatra party, arrives, and they are welcomed by significant dancing and singing from the bride’s guardians, friends, and family members. They are greeted with rice called Akshat, a forehead dot (tilak), a garland, and a lighted lamp plate (arati) (The Knot, 2008). The next occasion is Graha Shanti, where the nine planets are invoked to bless the couple’s life. The bride’s uncles or brothers lead her to the mandap. The bride’s guardians wash the couple’s feet with water and milk to purify them.
The hastamilap occasion involves joining the couple’s hands with a cotton thread to illustrate that their bond is unbreakable (The Knot, 2008). The bride and groom exchange floral garlands after the Ganesha prayer as a sign of welcoming each other to a new family. The couple sits in front of Agni, or the holy fire, as the priest recites various Holy scriptures’ mantras. The bride and groom perform Mangifera, where they walk four times around the fire as they pray and exchange vows of love, duty, respect, and fidelity (The Knot, 2008). Family members are also requested to make offerings into the fire. The saptapadi ritual is performed at the end of the ceremony, and the couple takes the seven vows, which seal their union forever. These vows symbolize their commitment to one another and their children in the future (The Knot, 2008). The newlyweds are requested to look at the pole star by the priest to make their union steadfast even though other people change. The woman’s hair is painted with red-orange powder to signify she is a wife.
In conclusion, all Hindu traditions and rituals are incorporated during a wedding ceremony. This occasion transitions a person from studentship to being a householder, which is contained in the Vedas Additionally, the ceremony unites two different families as they celebrate the love shared by the bride and groom. The traditional wedding is set for three days although some people shorten the events. The roka and haldi ceremonies, Ganesh poojan, grahashanti, kanyadan, hastamilap, dhruvadarshan, and sindoor, are among the significant events in a Hindu wedding ceremony.
Reference
The Knot. (2008). 11 Hindu wedding traditions. Web.