 It is a well-known fact that India is a melting pot
of myriad different cultures and religions, which is
what lends a unique flavor to this beautifully diverse
country. Naturally, in a country with so much variety,
one wouldn't really expect the weddings to be similar
in nature. Marriage Rituals in India are vastly different
and lends a special significance to the occasion of
the wedding.
Most of the marriage rituals in India have evolved
from the ancient Vedic marriage rites. A look at the
process of Vedic marriage is enough to see that how
the different wedding rituals all share similar elements,
and though the names might have changed, essentially
they remain the same.
The Vedic Marriage consisted of the following steps:
· NANDI
As a girl/boy reach the appropriate age for marriage,
their parents start looking for a prospective spouse
by matching the horoscopes to see whether the Gunas
of the girl and the boy matched or not.
· NISCHITARTHA
Nischitartha refers to the confirmation of the alliance
from both sides.
· ANKURARPANA
Ankurapana refers to the lightening of the ceremonial
sacred fire of the yagna
· LAJA HOMA
It referred to the oblations made in to the sacred fire.
· SNATHAKAM
It is the graduation ceremony for the boy
· UPANAYANAM
It is a sacred thread ceremony that all men have to
undergo before they are considered eligible for marriage.
It involves wearing a white thread known as jynau on
the upper part of the body.
· KASI YATHRA
Kashi Yathra was the indecisive journey of the groom
as he set out for Kasi for sanyasa before the bride's
parents reminded him of his responsibility and brought
him to the marriage mandap.
· KANYA DANAM
Considered one of the most sacred and pure sacrifices
that a man can ever perform, this ritual involved the
offering and giving away the daughter by her father
to the prospective groom for marriage
· VEEKSHANAM
Veekshanam is the auspicious moment at which the groom
and the bride look at each other during the wedding
ceremony.
· PANI GRAHANAM
It refers to the first physical contact between the
couple as the groom takes the bride's hand in his.
· SAPTHA PADHI
It refers to the seven steps that the couple must take
together around the Agni signifies that the bride and
groom go together in all the seven planes of consciousness
in performing the dharma
· AGNIPRADAKSHINA
This ritual marks the encircling of the ceremonial fire
by the groom and the bride seven times.
· MANGALASUTHRA DHARANA
This ritual involves placing a thread containing the
marks of the Vishnu or Shiva in the neck of the bride
by the groom.
· ASMAROHANA
It refers to the ritualistic trading on the grindstone
where the bride is helped by her husband as she places
her right foot on the stone and moves her foot against
it.
· ARUNDHATHI DARSHANAM
Here, the couple gazes out together on the Arundhati
star as a reminder to the pair about their cosmic responsibilities
that they have to perform in the coming walks of life.
· GRIHAPRAVESAM
Grihapravesam marks the entry of the wife into her husband's
home for the first time
· APPAGINTHALU
It refers to handing over the daughter to the groom
after the marriage ceremony is over.
· SOBHANAMU
Sobhananu refers to nuptials which first take place
in the bride's own house followed by in the groom's
residence. It denoted the beginning of the sexual life
of the couple.
· GARBHADANAM
It refers to the act of sex through which the mother
becomes pregnant and gives birth
to another life form or the Jiva.
Indian Marriages are highly unique and each community
has its own set of rituals and rites that make these
marriages different from the other while still retaining
the basic essence of a Vedic marriage in accordance
with the Indian traditions.
The different types of marriage rituals in India are:
Nikhil Bhide-The Wedding Planner is based in Mumbai,
and offers wedding planning services for all of India,
with a special focus on Mumbai and Goa
Nikhil Bhide- The Wedding Planner offers
information on Marriage Rituals in India and online
booking for wedding planning services.
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