Traditional Hindu Wedding Activities

Before the actual wedding takes place there are a few activities, that are equally important as the actual wedding. Each activity has it's own importance and meaning.

The very first ceremony is the "Misri" (engagement)- This is where the to-be bride and groom exchange the gold wedding rings. The couple welcome each other and their families with garlands and sweets. The engagement is complete after a dinner party which is held for friends and relatives.

A few days later a Sangeet Party takes place, where the bride and groom hold this event seperately and invite their relatives and friends to this occasion. This event would be held with people singing songs, dancing, eating and drinks.

Ghar Puja- is a religious ceremony performed on the eve of the wedding day in the respective homes of the couple. The priest performs prayers with rice, coconut, wheat grains, oil betel nuts and tumeric. While this event takes place the bride's family and close relatives dress up in their finery. They cary big pots of water on their heads and plant a small stalk in their garden in the celebration of the marriage. This ceremony is also combined with Pithi (cleansing ceremony) during which the bride and groom are pasted with tumeric powder in a beautification process, so that they seem to have glowing skin on their wedding day.

Mehndi Rasam (Henna Function)- one of the customs in a Hindu wedding. The day before the wedding is Mehndi Rasam night. On this night henna is applied on the hands and feet to the bride.

The Wedding Ceremony

There are several ceremonies. Which are done in the following procedure:

• Ganesh Puja- This is to be done on the wedding day, in the morning. Where the family of the bride and groom pray seperately to Lord Ganesh whose divine grace dispel all evils and promotes a successful and peaceful completion of the ceremony.
• Grah Shanti (Worshipping the nine planets)- This is where the families pray to the nine planets of our solar system. Ancient Indian studies show that various celestial bodies have an influence on the destiny of every individual. During this praying ceremony the Gods associated with these planets are asked to infuse courage, peace of mind and inner strength to the bride and groom to help them endure life's sufferings.
• Baarat- The groom travels to the wedding venue on a horse, he is accompanied by his family members, relatives, friends and other guests that he may have invited. The baraat may become a large procession, with its own band and the guests dance along to the music. The guests and family members may dance along, though the groom does not dance.

• Parch (Welcoming)-  The baaratis are welcomed by the bride's family and relatives with garlands and aarti, with the sounds of shehnais. Shehnai is considered auspicios at weddings by hindus.The bride's mother escorts the bride groom to the mandap. The father of the bride then washes the right foor of the bridegroom with milk and honey.
• Arrival of the Bride- The bride is escorted to the mandap by her maternal uncle, female cousins and friends.
• Kanyadaan (Entrusting of the Daughter)- The bride and groom exchange flower garlands. The the consent of the parents is obtained for the wedding to proceed. The bride's parents give their daughter to the groom by putting the bride's right hand into the groom's right hand while reciting sacred verses. The groom holds the bride's hand and they both take vows to love cherish and protect each other throughtout life.

• Ganthbandhan (tying the knot)- The priest tells the groom's elder family member to tie the wedding know, which symoblizes the permanent union between the bride and groom as husband and wife.

• Agni Puja (evocation of the holy fire)- The priest sets up a small fire in a kund (copper bowl). Fire is the mouth of Vishnu and symbolises the illumination of mind, knowledge and happiness. The remainder of the ceremony is conducted around the fire.
• Laja Homa (putting parched rice into the sacred fire)- Three obligations are offered to the sacred fire. The brother of the groom puts parched rice in the groom's hand, half of which slips into the bride's hand. Mantras are chanted. The bride prays to Yamraj, God of Death, that he grants long life, health, happiness and prosperity to the bridegroom.
• Saptapadi (seven encirclements)- The bride and groom take seven encirclements around the fire together. It is believed in Hindu Philosophy that if two people walk around the sacred fire seven times together, then they will remain life partners forever. They exchange sacred vows at the beginning of each encirclement. At the end of each of each encirclement, the open palms of the bride are filled with puffed rice by her brother-in-law signifying wealth and prosperity.

• Saubhagya Chinha (blessing the bride)- The groom blesses the bride by putting sindoor (vermillion powder) in the parting of her hair and by placing the mangal sutra (nuptial neacklace) around her neck. The mangal sutra represents the couple's togetherness, love and sacred union.
• Haridaya-Sparsha (touching of hearts)- The bride and groom toush each other's heart reciting promises to each other.
• Chaturti Karm- The bride and groom feed each other four times for the nourishment of the bones, muscles, skin and soul.
• Aashrivaad (blessings)- The priest blesses the bride and groom. Rose petals and rice are given to the guests to shower them on the bride and groom with blessings. The married couple also get blessings from the elders of both families.
• Bidaai (Bride's departure)- The farewell to the bride by her family and friends is a very emotional moment. The bride leaves her parents home to create a new life with her husband and his family. She leaves with tears of joy and sorrow.