Hindu Wedding Ceremony

Hindu Wedding Ceremony has some special features that give it a distinct look from the marriage ceremonies of other religions. Actually in Vedic age, the life after marriage was considered to be an important stage of life and called the 'Garhastha Ashrama'. This term means, setting up of a separate family unit.

There are several rituals, through which the Hindu wedding ceremony occurs. Two People who are said to be compatible are brought together. Through the wedding ceremony they get into the form of a lifelong relationship at a ceremony called marriage. This is a new stage and responsibility as a householder.

The actual rituals that are performed in a Hindu wedding ceremony are different from region to region and usually take several hours to complete.

The Phases of Hindu Wedding Ceremony

• Vara Satkaarah - this ceremony constitutes the welcome of the bridegroom and his relatives at the entrance of the wedding hall where the priest chants a few sacred mantras and the bride's mother blesses the groom by applying Tilak made of vermilion and turmeric powder.
• Madhuparka - this ceremony constitutes the welcome of the bridegroom at the altar. The bride then offers a mixture of yogurt and honey to the groom as a sign of purity. The bride then greets the groom by a garlanding him and the groom reciprocates it.
• Kanya Dan - in this ceremony the father of the bride gives away his daughter to the groom. The father pours out a little of sacred water which symbolizes the giving away of his daughter to the bridegroom. This ceremony is done between the chanting of sacred mantras.
• Vivah-Homa - this sacred fire ceremony is done to ensure that all auspicious undertakings of the marriage start in an atmosphere of purity and spirituality.
• Pani-Grahan - in this ceremony the groom and the groom stand opposite to each other. The groom holds the right hand of the bride in his left hand. He recites some Vedic recitations praying for a long life and a long life.
• Pratigna-Karan - in this ceremony the bride and the groom walk round the fire, with the bride leading, and make promises of loyalty, love and fidelity to each other.
• Shila Arohan - in this ceremony the bride's mother helps the bride to symbolically step onto a stone. This in other words is preparing her for a new life.
• Laja-Homah - the bride in this ceremony offers rice to the Gods for their blessings. During the ceremony the palms of hers are in those of the groom.
• The Mangala suthra Dharana- this ceremony marks the tying of the sacred thread, which is a mark of either Vishnu or Shiva in the neck of the bride by the groom.
• Pradakshina - The bridegroom in this ceremony holds the hand of the bride and circles the nuptial fire either seven times. With this ceremony the marriage is considered complete, and they are wedded into matrimonial bliss.
• Saptapadi - the bride and the groom are symbolically brought together through the Marriage knot. The groom's scarf is tied to the bride's dress. Then they take seven steps, which represent nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, progeny, long life, harmony and understanding.
• Abhishek - this ceremony is done by sprinkling water and meditating on the sun and the pole star.
• Anna Praashan - the couple first offers food to the fire and then feed each other food which expressing mutual love and affection.
• Aashirvadah - this Hindu wedding ceremony marks the blessings received by the couple from the elders. All the people present in the ceremony express their happiness by showering flowers on the couple thus completing the marriage.