An Indian Wedding

1. An Indian Wedding Bharati Lallapersaud

2. Hindu Marriage • In the Hindu religion, marriage is considered more of a sacred ritual than a contract. • Hindu marriage is a life-long duty and commitment between husband and wife. It is considered on of the strongest bond that a man and woman have. • A Hindu marriage isn’t just a marriage between two people, it is also between two families. • The most important step in a Hindu marriage is picking the bride and groom. Usually in a love marriage, the a boy and girl select heir own life partners, but in arrange marriage the parents of elders of the family choose the prospective life partner for their son/daughter.

3. Pre-Marriage Ceremony and Preparations • The night before the wedding, the palm and feet of the bride are decorated with Mehendi (also known as Henna). It is said that the color of the mehendi signifies the essence of love in a marriage • Both the bride and groom perform certain rituals in their own home. They are covered with yellow-colored dye which softens the skin, cleanse the body and makes it fragrant. It is washed off in the morning on the wedding day.

4. Since the wedding take’s place at the bride’s home, a mandap orcanopy is set up and decorated. This is where the wedding ceremony will take place. Lord Ganesh, the remover of all obstacles. He is worshipped at the beginning of rituals and ceremonies.

5. Wedding Day Preparations • The wedding day starts with a prayer to Lord Ganesh to remove all evil and help with a successful and peaceful end of the ceremony. • Then there is the Grah Shanti, worship of the nice planets. According to ancient Indian studies, various celestial bodies have a destiny of every individual. During this ritual, the gods who are connected to the plants are asked to instill courage, peace of mind, and inner strength to the bride and groom to help them tolerate life’s sufferings. • Traditionally, the groom sets out to the bride’s home dressed in a traditional yellow gown and a turban, riding a horse. He is usually accompanied by a smaller younger brother/cousin/nephew, known as the sarwala.Then sets of with the Baraat (Wedding Procession), dancing and singing, to bring his bride home.

6. The Bride is dressed in a traditional Indian Bridal Gown, usually red or yellow. She wears a bindi (a dot placed in the middle of the forehead, between the eyebrows) ,a tikka( similar to a bindi, except it is put in the hair and falls right above the bindi), nose ring, ivory and gold bangles, which also extends onto the fingers as rings, earrings, necklaces and anklets. Basically all the jewelry and decorations are to cover all the exposed parts of the body of the bride. The bride’s face is usually covered with a veil.

7. The Wedding Ceremony • Milaap: The groom and the baraat arrive at the bride’s home and meets the bride’s family. • Dvar Puja: At the entrance, the father of the bride and the father of the groom hug one another. Vedic hymns are chanted by the Priest (pandit). • Parchan: Women of the bride’s family, beginning with the bride’s mother, honor the groom with aarti ( a form of puja) and flowers. They perform a ritual to fight off negative vibrations around the groom. • Janwaas: The groom and his baraat are led to Janwaas(place of rest). The pandit of the bride officially welcomes the groom and the baraat with prayers. • Bride is brought to the Mandap: The bride’s mother sits at the back of the bride, offering her final blessings, and placing the crown on her daughter’s head. Then , the bride performs the Lord Ganesh puja. • Taak Paat: The brother of the groom takes an oath to honor, protect and respect the bride as his sister. He garlands her with a cord of protection. The bride leaves the mandap temporarily. • Var Puja and Madhuparka: The groom enters the mandap. His feet are washed and he is offered Madhuparka ( a sweet combination of honey, yogurt, and ghee (clarified butter)) by the bride’s father.

8. Kanya Daan: Kanya Daan means the giving away of the daughter in marriage. The bride sits in front of her groom with her parents beside her. In her hand, she holds a loi(dough) with a secret gift inside, which is only known by her parents. The bride’s parents give their daughter’s hand in marriage to the groom while the bride’s brother pours water continuously over the loi. Then her parents officially hand their daughter to the groom, with whom she will share the rest of her life. • Gaatha Bhandan: Tying of the Nuptial knot. • Havan and Bhawar: The Pandit recite Vedic hymns as the couple ,make offerings to Agni Devata (God of Fire). This is known as Havan. On completion of the offerings, the couple will go around (bhawar) the sacred fire seven times. The bride leads first, afterwards the groom will lead. They offer lawa (puffed grains) to Agni Devata. • Sapta Padi: The couple walks seven steps together to mantras which express their principle duties and needs as householders. • Today we join hearts, minds, and souls. • We will encourage each other’s hopes and comfort one another. • We live joyously and support our marriage through its trials and triumphs. • We will fly towards our dreams and walk through life’s obstacles. • We will share our responsibilities, speak and listen to one another openly and honor one another. • We will fulfill our social obligations and strive for a better future. • We will respect our spiritual values.

9. Dhruva and Surya Darshan: The groom says to the bride, “ Look at the pole star (Dhurva). Oh Star! Your position is changeless. May my wife be unchanging in her love for me”. Facing East they say, “ Oh Suryadev ( Sun God), may we live for one hundred winters together with radiant health and energy”. • Varmala: The Couple exchange garlands indicating their mutual acceptance. The bride places her hand on the groom’s heart. “ May we put our hearts together for a common purpose”. The Groom replies, “ Into my will I take your heart. Your mind shall dwell in my mind. The Lord has joined you and me”. • Shila Rohan (Shila means rock; Rohan means to thread on): a rock is placed on the north east corner of the mandap and while the bride places her right foot on the rock the groom says “ Oh Dulhan (bride), set your heart as firm as this stone. Be firm in your resistance to foes and difficult people”. • Vows: The groom will make seven vows to the bride and the bride will make one vow to the groom. The bride will then take her seat on the left side of the groom, which officially makes her his wife. • Sindoor Dhan: Under the cover of the sheet, the groom privately rubs sindoor on the hairline of the bride, indicating that she is now married. Rings are then exchanged. • Ashirwaad: Ashirwaad means blessing. The entire gathering will stand and express their silent congratulations and to pay respect to the newly married couple. They join the pandit in his final blessings to bless the happy couple. Afterwards, the newly weds leave the mandap to offer prayers in the bride’s home. In the meanwhile, both families celebrate outside to the joyous occasion. There is dancing and singing and sometimes performances. Then it is time for the bride to leave her maternal home and go with her husband to her “new” home.

10. Greeted by the Bride’s father The groom riding the horse to meet his future in-laws. Bride’s mother honoring the groom with aarti and flowers Sarwalla, father, groom Janwaas Bride making her way to the mandap Bride and mother of the bride Bride performing Ganesh Puja

11. Taak Paat; brother garlands his new sister Groom enters the mandap, accompanied by Sarwalla, Father, and Brother Bride leaves the mandap Temporarily Kanya Daan The bride reenters the mandap …In style Havan

12. Bhawar: Going around the Sacred Fire Sapta Padi: Seven Steps Dhruva and Surya Darshan

13. Varmala: Exchange of garlands Sindoor Dhan Hand on the groom’s heart Hand on the bride’s heart Ashirwaad Exchange of rings

14. Celebrations

15. The End