Hindu Ceremonies
TRADITION
Wedding
normally occurs in the bride's hometown or city.
It is organized and paid for by the bride's parents.
FACTS
For orthodox Hindus mixed faith marriages are considered impossible.
Other, less orthodox Hindus allow mixed faith marriages without
either partner having to convert.
The Hindu wedding is a religious ceremony and is one of the
most important of the sacraments. It is seen as a bond between
families.
The Hindu wedding ceremony is not recognized in British Law.
A civil wedding is required first before the Hindu wedding.
Some days are not permitted for weddings. There is one day in
each month called Amas, when it is forbidden to marry.
It is also forbidden to marry during Shraaddh, a two-week period
in September and 15 days before the festival of Holi.
These days are thought to be unlucky for marriage. (THESE DAYS
ARE NOT THE SAME EVERY YEARS AN SO THE CALLENDER MUST BE CONSULTED.)
BRIDE
The bride wears a fine white Sari with red and gold embroidery.
(A gift from her uncles.)(Represents purity)
During the ceremony she will put on a red sari. (A gift from
the groom's family)(Represents fertility)
She wears ornaments in her hair; there are bracelets on her
arms, a gold band round her waist and gold anklets on her ankles.
The day before the wedding the bride has the palms of her hands
and her feet painted with elaborate henna designs.
GROOM
The groom wears a lounge suit or traditional Indian dress. (A
Nehru jacket and trousers in white or ivory)
GUESTS
Guests can wear want they want though black is generally avoided.
Women wear suits, dresses or Saris.
It is no longer a requirement for women to cover their heads
unless they so desire.
ORGANSING THE WEDDING
The preparations and celebrations begin weeks before the actual
ceremony and continue far after.
The wedding takes place at a venue chosen by the bride's family.
It can be a Hotel, community hall.
Then there are blessings in the temple after the service.
Astrological charts are consulted to fins an auspicious day
for the wedding.
The couple meet the Brahmin before the wedding so that he can
explain the significance of the ceremony and answer any questions.
THE
DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING
A canopy of flowers is put up at the wedding venue.
The priest conducts Ghari Puja in both the bride and the groom's
homes.
(A ritual intended to welcome in the new life, get rid of evil
and co confer prosperity on the couple.)
CEREMONY
The ceremony can last up to one and half hours. But the preparations
and celebrations begin weeks before and continue afterwards.
The service is performed by a male Brahmin priest in accordance
with the holy verses, (mantras) from the Vedas, (The Hindu Book).
The groom cannot see the bride on the wedding day (unlucky).
He arrives at the venue in a convoy of vehicles.
A number of rituals are performed. - When he steps out of the
vehicle the bride's family welcome him.
The bride's mother places a small red
dot on his forehead and gives him a garland of flowers- signifying
her approval of the wedding.
The bride's female relatives and friends try to snatch the garland
and steel his shoes. They then demand a ransom.
Before entering the venue the groom steps on small terra cotta
bowl to signify his virility and strength while he waits for
the bride to arrive.
The bride s mother and father wash his feet.
The bride's mother accompanies the groom to the canopy.
The groom's sisters follow him shaking a metal pot covered with
white handkerchief containing rice and coins to ward of evil
spirits.
The bride's maternal uncles accompany the bride to the wedding.
She is either carried or walks between them. As she enters there
is music, which has been chosen by her.
The ceremony begins with the Hasta Melaap- the bride's right
hand is placed into the grooms right and the priest chants the
holy verse.
The couple are joined together by a piece of cloth- one end
tied to the corner of the bride's sari and the other to the
grooms scarf.
A fire is lit in the centre of the canopy to invite the fire
god to witness the union and the right hands of the couple are
tied together with blessed thread. Their palms are filled with
rice, oats and leaves to signify wealth, health, happiness and
prosperity. These things are then offered to the fire.
The couple then walk round the fire three times. (Lawan Phere).
Each time round they stop to touch stone in their path that
symbolizes obstacles in life that they will have to overcome
together.
The ceremony follows a strict pattern and contains no reads,
although there is music chosen by the bride and groom.
Facing north, the bride and groom take seven steps together.
Each step calls on God to bless the couple with strength, food,
progeny, family, prosperity, happiness and life-long friendship.
The bride moves to the left hand side of the groom- leaving
his right hand free to take on the world.
The groom places holy red powder on the bride's forehead, to
welcome her into his life as his partner. He gives her a necklace
of black beads- a symbol of his love, integrity and devotion.
The bride and groom feed each other sweetmeats- a symbol of
fidelity and love.
The service ends with blessing's from the priest, relative and
friends.
TERMS
Dilhan- Bride
Dulha- Groom
Mancap- Canopy
For
more information on Hindu weddings visit web site-http://shaadionline.com/sol/asp/gimg/PunjabiSanatanDharam.gif
or
http://www.uuottawa.com/hinduweddingsmain.htm