Indian Wedding Functions: Exciting Events Associated With Indian Marriages

Indian Wedding Functions: Exciting Events Associated With Indian Marriages

Indian Wedding are thrilling and involve the families in bringing an association of the soulmates. Being a secular country, marriage functions in India are different in all cultures but some unique characteristics are a part of every culture. Indian wedding function list begins from pre-wedding and post-wedding events that make the wedding ceremonies more memorable. The hosts arrange the various events that are as per their traditional values as well as adapted by celebrities in their weddings as well as their movies.

Indian weddings are vibrant, multi-day celebrations filled with various exciting and culturally rich events. Each function has its own significance and unique customs.

Here are some of the key events typically associated with Indian marriages:

Pre-Wedding Events

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Ganesh Puja:
    • A religious ceremony performed to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha for a smooth and prosperous wedding.

Wedding Day Events

  1. 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.
  2. Jaimala/Varmala:
    • The exchange of garlands between the bride and groom, symbolizing the acceptance of each other.
  3. Kanyadaan:
    • The father of the bride gives her hand to the groom, symbolizing the giving away of the daughter.
  4. Saat Phere:
    • The couple takes seven vows while walking around a sacred fire, each step signifying a promise to each other.
  5. 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

  1. Vidaai:
    • An emotional send-off for the bride as she leaves her parental home to start a new life with her husband.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.