The Hindu Wedding Ceremony has a number of rituals and customs most of which are often labeled as superstitious or time wasting. However these rituals and elaborate ceremonies are an integral part of the charm of the Hindu Marriage Ceremonies.
The Ritual of the Hindu Wedding too is each symbolic of beautiful and noble sentiments. Unfortunately today many parents and couples perform them without an awareness of the rich meaning behind them.
The West Indian Wedding Traditions mainly include the traditions of the Maharashtrian, Gujarati and Marwari Wedding Traditions.
Maharashtrian Wedding Ceremony are elaborate fares stretching for three days or more. Usually, marriages among the Maharashtrian take place in the morning. An auspicious time or muhurat is chosen, which is known as the goraj muhurat.
During the Marriage Ceremony at the time of shubh muhurat, the girl's maternal uncle takes her to the Mandap. The girl and boy are not allowed to see each other. Then the shlokas are chanted and this is followed by the removal of Antarpaat. People shower Akshata (unbroken rice) on the couple. After that, the garlands are exchanged between the bride and groom. The couple takes 7 rounds in front of the holy fire while the priest chants mantras of happiness, commitment and faithfulness.
After the completion of marriage ceremony, Laxmi Narayan puja is conducted, in which the bride and groom are worshipped as Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narayan.
The girl's hand is formally given to the boy in the ceremony known as Jhal Phirawne or Kanya Daan.
According to custom amongst the Maharashtrians the girl changes her surname after marriage. This ceremony is held in the grooms house.
Reception Party is hosted on the night of marriage. An elaborate feast is prepared for the occasion.
Gujarati Wedding Ceremony begins by offering prayers to Lord Ganesha and seeking his heavenly blessings. It is followed by Sangeet and Mehendi ceremony which are considered important Pre wedding ceremonies. In the main day Jaimala or garland exchange takes place between the bride and the groom twice. First time, the groom is on a higher platform than the bride, while, the second time, they are at an equal level. In the Madhuparka ceremony, the groom's feet are washed and he is given honey and milk to drink. While the ceremony is on, the bride's sisters attempt to steal the groom's shoes, known as 'Juta Churai'.
One of the most important wedding rituals is Kanya Daan in which the bride's father washes the groom's feet and gives his daughter's hand to him hoping that he will take good care of her. The bride is considered to be a form of Goddess Laxmi and the bridegroom is considered to be Lord Narayan.
Hasta Milap ceremony involves the tying of the groom's shawl to the bride's sari. The tying of knot and the joined hands of the couple are emblematic of the meeting of the 2 hearts and souls. The family and relatives sprinkle rose petals and rice grains on them.
Pheras are rounds that the couple takes around the sacred fire, as the priest chants mantras. Saptapadi are the 7 steps that the married couple walks together and takes seven vows. Then, the couple seeks the blessings of their parents and other elders which are followed by a reception party.
In the Vidaai ceremony, the bride, with tearful eyes, bids farewell to her parents, friends and relatives and both of them move towards their home, with a new life awaiting them.
During the Marwari Wedding Ceremony, the Rajput Baraat has only male members. The groom generally wears a gold achkan and churidar or jodhpurs with an orange turban. The groom's marriage procession is conducted royally. There is no street dancing by the baraatis. Everyone including the bridegroom rides an elephant or a horse and also carries swords in their hands.
When the marriage procession of the groom arrives at the bride's home, the bridegroom is taken inside by the ladies. He is given a warm welcome by his mother-in-law by performing the traditional Aarti.
During the Wedding Ceremony the groom is escorted to the Mandap and he is usually accompanied by only one married male relative and his younger brother or a younger male cousin. The bride has to cover her face with a long veil. The wedding ceremony is mainly attended by the female members of the house.
In the Bidaai ceremony, the bride, with tears in her eyes, bids adieu to her family, friends and close relatives. At the time of Bidaai, a coconut is kept under the wheel of the car.
When the newly weds reach their house, the bride is received by the groom's family. This custom is known as Grihapravesh.
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