Indian Wedding Functions: Exciting Events Associated With Indian Marriages
Here are some of the key events typically associated with Indian marriages:
Pre-Wedding Events
- Roka/Engagement Ceremony:
- This marks the official announcement of the couple’s intention to marry. Families exchange gifts, and the couple is blessed by elders.
- Mehendi Ceremony:
- The bride’s hands and feet are adorned with intricate henna designs. This is often a lively event with music, dancing, and traditional songs.
- Sangeet:
- A musical night where family and friends perform dances and songs. It’s a joyous occasion filled with dancing, singing, and celebrating the union.
- Haldi Ceremony:
- A purification ritual where turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom to bless them with glowing skin. It’s a fun and messy event with much laughter.
- Ganesh Puja:
- A religious ceremony performed to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha for a smooth and prosperous wedding.
Wedding Day Events
- Baraat:
- The groom’s procession to the wedding venue, often accompanied by music, dancing, and celebration. The groom typically rides a horse or arrives in a decorated car.
- Jaimala/Varmala:
- The exchange of garlands between the bride and groom, symbolizing the acceptance of each other.
- Kanyadaan:
- The father of the bride gives her hand to the groom, symbolizing the giving away of the daughter.
- Saat Phere:
- The couple takes seven vows while walking around a sacred fire, each step signifying a promise to each other.
- Sindoor and Mangalsutra:
- The groom applies sindoor (vermilion) in the bride’s hair parting and ties a mangalsutra (sacred necklace) around her neck, signifying she is now a married woman.
Post-Wedding Events
- Vidaai:
- An emotional send-off for the bride as she leaves her parental home to start a new life with her husband.
- Griha Pravesh:
- The bride’s ceremonial entry into her new home. She is welcomed with an aarti and enters the house by kicking a pot of rice, symbolizing prosperity.
- Reception:
- A grand celebration hosted by the groom’s family, where the newlyweds are introduced to extended family and friends. This event includes a lavish feast, music, and dancing.
- Pag Phera:
- A ritual where the bride returns to her parental home for a day or two and is then brought back by the groom, signifying her acceptance into the new family.
Regional Variations
- South Indian Weddings: Involves rituals like Kashi Yatra, where the groom pretends to leave for a pilgrimage, and is stopped by the bride’s father, promising his daughter’s hand in marriage.
- Bengali Weddings: Include the Ashirbad ceremony, where elders bless the couple, and the Shubho Drishti, where the bride and groom first see each other while holding betel leaves.
- Gujarati Weddings: Feature events like the Pithi ceremony, a pre-wedding ritual where turmeric is applied to the couple, and the Mameru, where the bride’s maternal uncle gifts her clothes and jewelry.
Each Indian wedding is a blend of joyous celebrations, age-old traditions, and vibrant cultural rituals that create an unforgettable experience for the couple and their families.