North India Weddings
Vivah (wedding) in India is a sacred and special occasion for Indians. It is known for its colourful attire, mehendi, singing dancing, and variety of food. Of course not to miss the elaborate decoration and spectacular presentation.
Apart for the lengthy days and nights of celebration, it involves lot of rituals, traditions and meaning for the family, relatives and friends of the Bride and groom. Indian performs these wedding rituals with full devotion and faith to make the marriage last for a lifetime.
Now, what are the main traditions or rituals performed during wedding in north India and their significance?
In North India Sagai also known as the ring ceremony is an Indian ritual that is organised before the date of the final wedding. This day the bride and groom exchange rings and family from both sides are united. On this day, the pandit or the astrologer would study the janam kundali or horoscope of both bride and groom announces the date of the final wedding. This ceremony is an official announcement of marriage.
Haldi is a ritual that takes place a couple of days before the wedding. It is performed at the respective homes of the bride and groom. On this day Haldi or turmeric powder is mixed with rose water and this fragrant paste is put on the face, hands and legs of the couple- to- be by their respective family members.
Mehandi and Sangeet
‘Mehandi’ is the temporary design applied by heena on the hands and feet of the bride. It is said to be one of the 16 ornaments that a bride needs to wear during her wedding. Its considered to be very auspicious and essential in north Indian wedding. The ritual is followed with singing, dancing and good food. However, music does not have any religious significance to north Indian wedding but it symbolises happiness and celebration. These days Sangeet ceremony is held with Mehandi for convenience.
Baraat and Tilak Ceremony
On the day of the final wedding the Groom and his family arrives at the venue formally. This formal procession is known as baraat. The groom arrives on a horse or a slow chariot along with his family, relatives and friends. They all come dancing and singing along with a musical band. On arriving, the bride family welcomes the Groom and his family members with a Tilak or Tika on the forehead. The tika is in red colour with rice grains. It is auspicious and blessing in nature.
Var Mala Ceremony.
The bride arrives at the mandap along with her family members and friends dressed in traditional attire with jewellery. The bride and groom exchange garland and made to seat next to each other. The is followed by everyone meeting them and giving their blessings along with gifts.
Pheras.
Soon after Var, mala the bride and groom are made to sit at the mandap, which is decorated with banana trees, flowers and kalash (mud pot filled with water and mango leaves). The Bride and groom sit to hear the chanting of mantras that invoke blessings of the gods, their ancestors, family members, relatives and friends in order to tie the couple together in holy matrimony. The Groom ties the mangalsutra or the holy necklace around the brid’s neck and applies sindoor on her forehead. This signifying the bride as married. Then comes the Phera wherein the couple takes around the holy fire and makes promises to each other. Once the 7 rounds are completed, the couple are said to be married to each other. Many parts of India the phera are more than 7 rounds depending upon the customs and roots of the family.
Kanyadaan
The most important ritual in Indian wedding. It is said to be the time when the bride’s father gives her hand to her husband and pours water over it. From that moment, the girl now belongs to her husband and his family. In case the bride does not have father, mother’s brother (mamaji) can do it. It is considered very auspicious, pure and the best offering ( Daan) in Hindu customs.
Vidaai
The last ritual of the north Indian wedding. However, each customs or rituals may vary from cast to cast in India with each state having their own customs. However, Vidaai is one ritual that takes place in every part of India. It is the last moment when the bride leaves her home and goes with her husband. It indicates the last ceremony of the wedding and is an emotional moment for the bride’s family. They all say adieu with tears and the bride moves forward by throwing rice and coins towards her parents home without turning her back.
The significance in this ritual is that the parent’s home should remain prosperous even when the daughter leaves forever. As daughters are considered lakshmi the goddess of prosperity.
Usually all these rituals takes place in the night in most part of India, the reason is historic. The customs has been followed since ages and it may vary from community to community but these are the main, which are followed. The most important aspect of north Indian wedding is the time and the movement of stars. All these are taken care and decided well in advance based on astrology. It is calculated or decided based on the Kundali matching between the bride and groom to be.
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