Wedding Ceremonies in India
An Indian wedding is a period of immense joy and happiness for the families of the bride and the groom. And, the celebrations usually last more than a week and are marked by various ceremonies over this period. Here again, the ceremonies may differ based on the religion of the people or the region of the country. But some of the most common and essential ceremonies that are involved are:
Prior to Marriage:
Engagement
A decision made by the parents in front of the community members to marry their son and daughter, sometimes using a document. Both families will also come to an agreement about the date of the wedding.
Sangeet Sandhya or the modern day cocktail
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. This is almost always a feature of weddings in North India, but is not considered a staple of weddings in the South.
Mehendi Lagwana / Henna Party
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. It is also the norm for the hosts to provide for henna application services for the other guests present at the party.
During the Wedding:
Barat Nikasi
A Hindu wedding procession, baraat, with the bridegroom on a horse. The groom, 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 'sehra' (turban) with a 'kalgi' (brooch) pinned onto it [South Indian grooms typically will wear a dhoti instead of a sherwani-churidar, and will not wear a sehra]. The turban usually has flowers extending from it to keep the grooms' face covered during the wedding ceremony.
Before he departs, his relatives apply the ceremonial 'tilak' on his forehead and his sister feeds the horse or elephant sweetened grain. The 'baraat' (consisting of the groom seated on the horse or elephant, and relatives and friends of the groom) 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/Jai Mala
In most Hindu weddings, the groom is led to a small stage, known as mandap, where he is greeted by the bride's family. The maternal uncle, brother or brides' best friends bring the bride to the stage. The bride and the groom are handed the garlands while the priest is chanting the religious hymns. Following this, the groom and bride exchange garlands, which are the var mala or jai 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.
Aarti
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 forehead
Vidaai
A bride bids her family farewell at the end of the wedding ceremony.
Also called rukhsati in North India. 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.
Post Wedding
Wedding Reception
This is hosted by the groom’s family and this is much like the Wedding Reception you would see in any part of the World. It is held to mark the joyous occasion and to welcome the bride and her family into the groom’s family. This is usually a very opulent affair with lavish arrangements made for food and drink and in the modern times a d.j. at the venue is the norm.
Romantic Weddings in India:
India is the land for love and romance. Evidence of this is seen in the Taj Mahal, the epitome of love and one of the most beautiful monuments in the World, as also, in the temples of Khajuraho and the many tales of love and valor in the deserts of Rajasthan. With a history and culture of love like there is in India, there truly cannot be a better destination of choice to host your Romantic destination wedding.
From the beaches of Goa to the backwaters of Kerala; from the hills of the Himalayan states to the shores of the Ganges; from the temples of Khajuraho to the majestic Taj Mahal, Incredible India offers the most amazing locations to host the most romantic weddings.
Suggested Top Palaces & Forts in India :-
Jaipur - Rambagh Palce, Raj Vilas Hotel, Jai Mahal Palace, Samodh Palace, Shiv Vilas Palace
Jodhpur - Ajit Bhawan, Ummaid Bhawan, Taj Hari Mahal Palace
Jaisalmer - Fort Rajwada, Taj Rawalkot, Gorbandh Palace
Udaipur - Lakh Palace, Fateh Parkash Palace, Shiv Niwas Palace, Udai Vilas Palace, Devi Garh Palce
Bikaner - Gajner Palace
Forts -
Mandawa Fort and Neemarana Fort
Suggested Top Beach Wedding Destinations in India :-
Goa, Kerala, Lakshadweep Island, Andaman and Nicobar Island, Pondicherry, Puri in Orrisa and Tamil Nadu
Suggested Top Himalayan Wedding Destinations in India :-
Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Shimla, Srinagar, Pahel Gam, Gulmarg, Ladakh & Leh, Sikkim, Garhwal & Kumaon Valley, Nainital, Landsdowne, Ranikhet, Mussoorie, Darjeeling, Manali, Uttarakhand
Suggested Top Religious Temples for Destination Wedding in India :-
Chattarpur Mandir - Delhi, Iskcon Temple - Delhi, Lotus Temple - Delhi, Jamma Masjid - Delhi, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara - Delhi, Akshardham - Delhi, Vaishno Devi Temple - Jammu, Golden Temple - Amritsar - Punjab, Ajmer Sharief - Ajmer, Jagannath Temple - Puri - Orrisa, Pushkar Temples - Ajmer, Mahabalipuram Temples - Tamil Nadu, Meenakshi Temple - Madurai - Tamil Nadu, Sabarimala Temple - Pathanamthitta - Kerala, Tirupati Temple - Tirupati, Shirdi Saibaba Temple - Maharastra, Siddhivinayak Temple - Mumbai, Haji Ali Dargah - Mumbai, Basilica of Bom Jesus - Panaji - Goa, Church Of Our Lady Of The Rosary - Goa, Se Cathedral - Goa, Church of St. Francis of Assisi - Panaji - Goa, Ajanta & Ellora Caves - Aurangabad - Maharastra
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