Part 1 of 2 : Preparing for the wedding
- spruce yourself up for the Haldi ceremony.
- This ceremony takes place two or three days before the wedding.during Haldi, a paste made of turmeric , gram flour, curd, sandalwood and rose waterare applied on the hands, feet and face of the bride and the groom. the yellow colour of the paste is believed to brighten the skin color before the wedding ceremony and bring good luck to bride and the groom.
2. Get your hands ready for the Mehendi Ceremony.
- The bride and all of her close family members get the palms of their hands and feet decorated by a professional henna artist. The henna is believed to enhance the bride's beauty. This ceremony usually takes place a day before the wedding.
3. Welcome the Baraat-the arrival of the groom and his family.
- Traditionally, the groom arrives at the wedding on a horse, accompanied by his closets freinds and family members. The large procession includes lots of singing and dancing. This signifies the groom 's and his family's happiness in accepting the new bride.
4. Have Milni- the meeting of the bride and grooms families.
- The bride's family , armed with garlands and traditional indian sweets, the welcomes the groom and his family mini is an important tradition where the groom's family is honored by the brides family.
5. Get devoted by performing Ganesha Puja.
- Before the ceremony begins, a Ganesh Puja is performed for good luck. this is important as Ganesh is the destroyer of all obstacles. The ceremony generally involves both bride's and the groom's primary family members.
Part 2 : Completing the traditional Marriage Ceremony
- Watch as the bride and bridegroom enter.
- First, will be the bridegroom. he will be brought to a decorated altar called a "mandap" and will be given a seat and a celebratory drink.- a mixture of milk, ghee, yoghurt, honey and sugar.
2. Let the garland speak during the Jai Mala (exchanging of the garlands)
- Once bride approaches the mandap (the altar area where the wedding rituals take place), the white cloth is dropped. the bride and the groom then exchange floral garlands. these garlands are to signify their acceptance of one another
3. Observe the ritual of Kanyadaan.
- At this point in the ritual, the father of the bride pours sacred water in her hand and then places her hand in the grooms sister usually ties the end of his scarf to the brides sari with betel nuts,copper coins, and rice. these items symbolize unity, prosperity and happiness for the couple. the knot specifically is meant to represent the eternal bond that comes with marriage.
4. Watch as the priest starts Vivaha-homa.
- At this point, a sacred fire will be lit and the purohit (the priest) will recite mantras in sanskrit. while the paryers are going on, oblations are offered to the fire. "Id na mama" is repeated over and over , meaning "it is not for me"
5. Experience the ceremony of Panigharani.
- During this ritual , the groom takes his bride's hand. this might be the first time the couple has physically touched one another. During this ritual the husband accepts his bride and vows to her and her parent that he will take care of and protect his bride for the rest of her life.
6. Watch as the bride and groom complete Shilarohan.
- This starts with the bride climbing over a stone or rock, symbolizing her willingness and strength to overcome obstacles in her new marriage.
7. Count the rounds known as Saptapadi (seven steps around fire)
- At this point in the ceremony, the couple walks around the fire with seven steps , each accompanied by a prayer and seven vows.
a) The first vows is for food
b) The second for strength
c) The third for prosperity
d) The fourth for wisdom
e) The fifth for progeny
f)The sixth for health
g)The seventh for friendship
8. Note the bride's neck during Mangalsutra Dharanam.
- The Mangalsutra is a sacred necklace that the groom ties around the bride's neck on their wedding day. After he ties the necklace , he gives the status of being his wife.
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