INDIAN WEDDINGS
Diversity of India reflects on every dimensions of Indian context and Indian wedding is not an exception. Heterogeneity of Indian society and culture essence seeps through Indian wedding affair. They say, “ marriages are made in heaven” and undoubtedly it is one of the prime event of life. In India where social and cultural restrictions are so strong, wedding is perhaps the most important part of one’s life. Its also a social occasion for an individual and their family. Indian wedding is nothing short of any festival when it reflects the social and Indian heritage in every possible way. Some typical Indian wedding include the Hindu wedding, Punjabi wedding, Indian Muslim wedding, and Christian wedding. In India every part has their own type of wedding ceremony and totally diverse customs and cultural connotations can flummox anybody.
Types of indian weddings
Hindu Indian Wedding:Selection of wedding day is an important tasks. Hindu marriages are executed by priests who chant sanskrit hymns and mantras in front of sacred fire. In north Indian wedding, music is also play an important part. Playing Shehnai in north indian and Nadaswaram in south is a ritual. The pocession of groom known as baraat is an exciting event. This happens in much fanfare and enthusiasm. In the mandap, a dias where the marriage ceremony is performed, groom ties knowt with bride and they together walk seven times around the sacred fire while the priests continue to chant mantras. The last stage of marriage is known as saptapadi, where the bride and the groom take seven steps together facing the north, after which the bride shifts to the groom’s left. The couple is now declared married.
MuslimIndian Wedding:Pre wedding ceremony consists of two ceremonies. First one is mangni where the would be husband and wife exchange rings. The bride wears an outfit gfted by future in laws. At mangni ceremony day of marriage is fixed. Another one is mehendi ceremony when bride sport attractive on her palm and feet. In the wedding day, groom comes with a procession with band of musicians. The groom shares a drink of sherbet with bride’s brother. The nikah or marriage is conducted in a close association of relatives and guests. The nikah is complete in presence of priest after proposal and acceptance of both bride and groom side. According to muslim law nikahnama is a document in which the marriage contract is registered.
Sikh Wedding: Punjabi wedding is one of the most exuberant marriage ceremonies of India. the atmospeher is set before one week of wedding ceremony. The shagun ceremony, where two families exchange gifts to confirm the engagement. The bangle ceremony is an unique and improtant ceremony, where bride maternal uncle and aunt put red bangles on the bride’s wrist. The procession of groom is same like in other marriages. In the marriage ceremony, bridal couple sit in front of Granth Sahib. The ardas are read and ten Sikh gurus are saluted. The last ceremony is doli or farewell of bride to groom’s house. Bride leave her hose throwing handful of rice over shoulder.
Kerala Hindu Nair Wedding: Kerala Hindu Nair marriages is something very different from other souht Indian weddings. The Nairs of Kerala are only the matrilineal community in the country. Ceremonies include announcement of engagement and exchange of rings, prenuptial blessings of bride, the bride and groom are blessed by elders. The wedding ceremony is a close affair, groom come to bride house with a procession but with less fanfare compare to other Indian wedding.
Diversity of India reflects on every dimensions of Indian context and Indian wedding is not an exception. Heterogeneity of Indian society and culture essence seeps through Indian wedding affair. They say, “ marriages are made in heaven” and undoubtedly it is one of the prime event of life. In India where social and cultural restrictions are so strong, wedding is perhaps the most important part of one’s life. Its also a social occasion for an individual and their family. Indian wedding is nothing short of any festival when it reflects the social and Indian heritage in every possible way. Some typical Indian wedding include the Hindu wedding, Punjabi wedding, Indian Muslim wedding, and Christian wedding. In India every part has their own type of wedding ceremony and totally diverse customs and cultural connotations can flummox anybody.
Types of indian weddings
Hindu Indian Wedding:Selection of wedding day is an important tasks. Hindu marriages are executed by priests who chant sanskrit hymns and mantras in front of sacred fire. In north Indian wedding, music is also play an important part. Playing Shehnai in north indian and Nadaswaram in south is a ritual. The pocession of groom known as baraat is an exciting event. This happens in much fanfare and enthusiasm. In the mandap, a dias where the marriage ceremony is performed, groom ties knowt with bride and they together walk seven times around the sacred fire while the priests continue to chant mantras. The last stage of marriage is known as saptapadi, where the bride and the groom take seven steps together facing the north, after which the bride shifts to the groom’s left. The couple is now declared married.
MuslimIndian Wedding:Pre wedding ceremony consists of two ceremonies. First one is mangni where the would be husband and wife exchange rings. The bride wears an outfit gfted by future in laws. At mangni ceremony day of marriage is fixed. Another one is mehendi ceremony when bride sport attractive on her palm and feet. In the wedding day, groom comes with a procession with band of musicians. The groom shares a drink of sherbet with bride’s brother. The nikah or marriage is conducted in a close association of relatives and guests. The nikah is complete in presence of priest after proposal and acceptance of both bride and groom side. According to muslim law nikahnama is a document in which the marriage contract is registered.
Sikh Wedding: Punjabi wedding is one of the most exuberant marriage ceremonies of India. the atmospeher is set before one week of wedding ceremony. The shagun ceremony, where two families exchange gifts to confirm the engagement. The bangle ceremony is an unique and improtant ceremony, where bride maternal uncle and aunt put red bangles on the bride’s wrist. The procession of groom is same like in other marriages. In the marriage ceremony, bridal couple sit in front of Granth Sahib. The ardas are read and ten Sikh gurus are saluted. The last ceremony is doli or farewell of bride to groom’s house. Bride leave her hose throwing handful of rice over shoulder.
Kerala Hindu Nair Wedding: Kerala Hindu Nair marriages is something very different from other souht Indian weddings. The Nairs of Kerala are only the matrilineal community in the country. Ceremonies include announcement of engagement and exchange of rings, prenuptial blessings of bride, the bride and groom are blessed by elders. The wedding ceremony is a close affair, groom come to bride house with a procession but with less fanfare compare to other Indian wedding.
