Hindu wedding ceremonies are traditionally, though not always, conducted at least partially in Sanskrit, the language in which most holy Hindu ceremonies are conducted. The local language of the people involved is also used since most Hindus cannot understand Sanskrit. They have many rituals that have evolved since traditional times and differ in many ways from the modern western wedding ceremony and also among the different regions, families, and castes such as Rajput weddings and Iyer weddings. The Hindus attach a lot of importance to marriages and the ceremonies are very colorful and extend for several days.

In India, where most Hindus live, the laws relating to marriage differ by religion. By the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 passed by the Union Parliament of India, for all legal purposes, all Hindus of any caste, creed or sect, Sikh, Buddhists and Jains are considered as Hindus for the sake of the Hindu marriage Act — and can hence intermarry. By the Special Marriage Act, 1954, a Hindu can marry a non-Hindu employing any ceremony provided certain legal conditions are fulfilled.

The pre-wedding ceremonies include engagement (involving vagdana or oral agreement and lagna-patra written declaration), and arrival of the groom's party at the bride's residence, often in the form of a formal procession. The post-wedding ceremonies involve welcoming the bride to her new home.

Just as Hinduism is hard to grasp and contrast against the newer, book-defined, structured religions such as Christianity and Islam, India's prevalent wedding traditions are also hard to categorize purely on a religious basis. They have a closer similarity to ancient cultures such as Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Chinese.

An important thing to note is that despite the fact that the modern Hinduism is largely based on the puja form of the worship of devas as enshrined in the Puranas, a Hindu wedding ceremony at its core is essentially a Vedic yajña (a fire-sacrifice), in which the Aryan deities are invoked in the Indo-Aryan style. It has a deep origin in the ancient ceremony of cementing the bonds of friendship/alliance (even among people of the same sex or people of different species in mythological contexts), although today, it only survives in the context of weddings. The primary witness of a Hindu marriage is the fire-deity (or the Sacred Fire) Agni, and by law and tradition, no Hindu marriage is deemed complete unless in the presence of the Sacred Fire, seven encirclements have been made around it by the bride and the groom together.

Ancient system of Hindu-Vedic-marriages was fully scientific. It did not differentiate between male and female as is being done presently.

The basis for a fulfilling and happy life is –

Te santu jard—istayah sampriyau royisnu sumansyamanau|
Pasyema sharadah shatam jivema sharadah shatam shrunuyam shardah shatam||

“We should be able to live a graceful life that is full of mutual love and warmth. Our sentiments should be auspicious.
We should be able to see for hundred years, live a healthy life of hundred years and listen the music of spring for hundred years.”

The sage of the above mentioned vedic — aca, has emphasized that the basis of happy and fulfilling married life is the sense of unity, intimacy and love between husband and wife. Therefore, marriage is not for self-indulgence but it should be considered a life long social and spiritual responsibility. Married life is an opportunity for two persons to grow from life partners into soul mates.^[1]^[2]^[3]

The Main Rituals

Some of the rituals very based on family traditions. The names of the rituals also vary.

Prior to marriage

Conducted at homes of the parents of the bride and the groom.

Engagement (वाग्दान and लग्नपत्रिका)

A decision made by the parents in front of the community memebers to have the marriage, sometimes using a document.

Barni Bandhwana

Approximately 15 days prior to the actual wedding, on an auspicious day, the pandit will perform a puja to Lord Ganesh (the remover of obstacles). During this puja, a piece of mauli (thread) is tied to the hands of the groom, and his parents. This puja is done to make a humble request to Lord Ganesh that the wedding happen without any problems, beside the occasional mishap e.g. tripping over. After that day, the family performs a puja to Lord Ganesh every day until after the wedding is complete. ****

Mayara

The mayara is an important ceremony, common to both the bride and the groom’s families. This ceremony is performed by the maternal uncle of the groom/bride, who, along with his wife and family, arrives with much fanfare, and is received by the bride/groom’s mother with the traditional welcome. The clothes that the uncle gives are then worn by the family during the wedding.

Sangeet Sandhya (संगीत)

The sangeet sandhya is an evening of musical entertainment. The bride’s family puts on a show for the groom and bride. Included as part of this event is an introduction of all the family members for the bride.

Tilak Ceremony (तिलक‌)

Tilak is a mark of auspiciousness. It is put on the forehead using Kumkum, a red turmeric powder. The male members of the bride's family, like her father, brother, uncles place a tilak on the forehead of the groom. This is typically followed by giving some gifts to the groom and the groom's accompanying family members requesting them to take care of the bride later.

Mehendi Lagwana (मॆह्न्दी)

Another name for “Vivaah” is “haath pila karna” or simply translated, making hands yellow. Mehendi (henna) is applied to the bride’s hands and feet. In the right hand, a round spot is left open for Hathlewa.

During marriage festivities

Barat Nikasi (बारात‌ and वधू गृहागमन)

The groom, often known as an "Anubhav Raj" leaves for the wedding venue riding a decorated horse or elephant. This is a very colorful and grand ceremony. The groom is dressed in a sherwani (long jacket) and 'churidars' (fitted trousers). On his head he wears a 'safa' (turban) with a 'kalgi' (brooch) pinned onto it.

Before he departs, his relatives apply the ceremonial 'tilak' on his forehead and his sister feeds the horse or elephant sweetened grain. The baraat is headed by the dancing of the congregated folks. Accompanied by the rhythm of the north Indian dholak the baraat reaches the place of the wedding.

Upon arriving at the venue of the wedding, the groom is welcomed by a welcome song. This is called “talota.” Then the groom knocks on the door with his sword and enters.

Var Mala (वर माला) / Jay Mala (जय माला)

The groom is led to a small stage where he is “attacked” by the bride with flowers. A close family member of the groom defends him with a shield. The bride does this while circling the groom four times. Following this, the groom and bride exchange garlands (these are the "var mala") signifying their acceptance of each other as husband and wife. Then, the groom’s mother-in-law measures the groom’s chest, and pokes and prods him to make sure he is tough enough to defend her daughter. She then puts kajal on the groom to ward off evil spirits. This is followed by aarti.

Aarti (आरती)

The 'baraatis' (groom's party) are received by the bride's family and at the entrance to the wedding venue. The bride's mother welcomes the groom by performing the 'aarti' (traditional Indian welcome ritual with a lamp or 'diya' placed on a platter or 'thali') to welcome her son-in-law and placing a tilak on his fivehead

Baasi-Jawari

This event takes place the day of the wedding. The brides sisters hide the groom's shoes and ask for money if he (groom) wants them back and be able to go home with the bride.

Kanya Daan (क‌न्या दान)

Kanya Daan is performed by the father of the bride in presence of a large gathering that is invited to witness the wedding.

The father pours out libation of sacred water symbolizing the giving away of the daughter to the bride groom. The groom recites Vedic hymns to Kama, the god of love, for pure love and blessings.

As a condition for offering his daughter for marriage, the father of the bride requests a promise from the groom for assisting the bride in realizing the three ends :

dharma,
artha,
and kama.

The groom makes the promise by repeating three times that he will not fail the bride in realizing dharma, artha and kama.

This ritual is performed early on before Phere. Ideally, the parents of the bride place the right hand of the bride over the right hand of the groom and place their own left hands at the bottom and the right hands (the two of them) on top, securing the Conch with gold, betel nut, flowers and a little fruit (in it) placed in bride's hand. It is at this point that the purpose of the Kanyadaan is clearly stated per scripture ( kamo daata..., etc)and the names of the parents and forefathers are stated from both sides. Wedding can not legally proceed without this Kanyadaan step in which parents of the bride agree to the wedding.

This must be remembered that in Hindu Wedding, the bride and groom marry each other and the priest only assists with the Mantra. He can not declare them married as no authority is vested in him to do so. Agni, gods and the invited members of the family and friends are the witness.

NOTE : Also, Kanyadaan must not be treated like a Godaan in which the cow/ calf is given away with the rope with no subsequent rights on the objects gifted away. Knyadaan still leaves parents with certain rights on their daughter. It is in recognition of that residual right that the daughter can and does perform a partial shraddh on their demise just like the son does - only a more elaborate one.

Panigrahana Hathlewa (पाणिगृहण हाथलॆवा)

After being led to the wedding mandup, the bride and groom have their hands tied together. The Panditji does a puja to Lord Ganesh and then puts a coin & mehendi on the groom’s right hand where the round empty spot is (where no mehendi was put) and ties his hand with the brides. This puja is done schedule in advance based on an auspicious time & date.

gathabandhan(ग्रन्थि बंधन)

Tying a knot using the ends of the clothing worn by the bride and groom. The priest ties the end of the groom's dhoti or the kurta; whichever he is wearing, with that of the bride's saree, the knot signifying the sacred wedlock.

Laja Homa and circumambulation (लाजा होम and परिक्रमा)

The ritual connotes the actual core wedding ceremony, for the very meaning of the word "vivaah" is-marriage^[4]. The groom and the bride then circle the holy fire seven times, making seven promises to be fulfilled in the married life, after which they are considered to be 'married' to each other. This ritual is called "phere".

In the Second time when husband & wife go to married they did not take circle around the agni.

Saptapadi (स‌प्त‌पदी)

The bridegroom gets up from his seat holding his bride's right hand. He then goes around the Holy Fire (Agni) from the right side, by lifting his bride's right foot at each step. This is done for seven steps. With each step, he recites a mantra addressed to the bride with the following meaning.

:To provide for food always.
:To give you excellent health and energy.
:Todained in Vedas, during your life time.
:To give you happiness in life.
:To make your cows and good animals to grow in strength and in numbers.
:To make all the seasons be beneficial to you.
:To make the homams (sacrifices to be done in Holy Fire) to be performed by you in your life as ordained in Vedas, successful and free from hindrances.

The idea behind this is to pray to Lord Vishnu, the protector of life, for his blessings in marital life. The groom then recites a mantra to convey the following meaning:

After crossing seven steps with me thus, you should become my friend. I too have become your friend now. I will never discard this friendship and you should also not do that. Let us be together always. Let us resolve to do things in life in the same manner and tread the same path. Let us lead a life by liking and loving each other, having good hearts and thoughts, and enjoying the food and our strong points together. Let us have undivided opinions. We will perform the vrithas united. Let us have same and joint desires. I will be Sama (one of the vedas); you will be Rig (another Veda). Let me be the Heaven; you be the Earth. Let me be the Shukla (Moon) and you be its wearer. Let me be the mind and you its spokesman (Vak). With these qualities, you be my follower. You the sweet tongued, come to me to get good male children and wealth.

Blessings (आशीर्वाद)

Blessings by the parents, acharya and elders.

Vidaai (विदाई)

This is considered to be the most emotional ritual, when the bride leaves her parents' home and makes her way to her husband's. Family and friends, who also shower her with blessings and gifts, give her a tearful farewell. The male members of the bride's family bid farewell to the groom by applying the traditional 'tilak' (vermilion) on his forehead and shower him with gifts.
In earlier times the bride use to leave in a palanquin. These days the couple leaves in a decorated car.

At their new home

Dwar-Rokai (द्वार रोकाई)

After leaving the groom’s father-in-law’s house, the couple come home. They are stopped at the entrance of the house by either the groom’s sister or his father’s sister. There, in an earthen vessel, the sister/aunt uses a mixture of salt and water to ward off evil spirits from the groom. After this, the pot is thrown on the ground and destroyed. After this, the couple enter the house.

Griha Pravesh

When the bride arrives at her new home, her mother-in-law, who welcomes her with the traditional 'Aarti’. At the entrance, she puts her right foot onto a tray of vermilion powder mixed in water or milk, symbolizing the arrival of good fortune and purity. With both her feet now covered in the red powder paste, she kicks over a vessel filled with rice and coins to denote the arrival of fertility and wealth in her marital home.

Mooh Dikhai

The family now indulges in a series of games and post-wedding rituals, amidst much laughter to make the new member feel comfortable. One such ritual is the Mooh dikhai. Literally translated, Mooh Dikhai means 'show your face', but this is a ritual, which helps to introduce the newly wed to members of her husband's family! Each member of the groom's family comes in turn to make an acquaintance with the new bride.

Modern Hindu weddings

Modern Hindu weddings are often much shorter and do not involve all of the rituals of the traditional ceremony which sometimes were for five days. Instead certain ceremonies are picked by the families of the bride and the groom depending on their family tradition, caste, jāti etc. Hence the ceremonies vary among the various ethnic groups that practice Hinduism. The wedding is normally conducted under a mandap, a canopy traditionally with four pillars, and an important component of the ceremony is the sacred fire (Agni) that is witness to the ceremony. Sometimes, the bride comes to her husband's house in what they call a doli.

References

^ Marriage is a Sacred Bond and Pledge http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2003/Mar-Apr/MarriageSacredBond/
^ Official Website of All World Gayatri Pariwar http://www.awgp.org/
^ Magazine of All World Gayatri Pariwar http://www.akhandjyoti.org/
^ http://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AE लाजा होम

External links

[1] Marriage is a Sacred Bond and Pledge http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2003/Mar-Apr/MarriageSacredBond/

[2] Official Website of All World Gayatri Pariwar http://www.awgp.org/

[3] Magazine of All World Gayatri Pariwar http://www.akhandjyoti.org/

[4] ttp://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AE लाजा होम

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