Hindu Wedding Ceremony Traditions & Rituals You Need To Know
Marriage is a union between a man and a woman, which is granted social and religious permission so that they can live together for life. Hence, it is a very special occasion for a new couple, which they want to celebrate with the blessings and best wishes from their families and friends.
How long is a Hindu wedding?
Normally, a Hindu wedding is a 3-day long celebration, comprising of several rituals followed in the bride’s place and then at the groom’s place. Pre-wedding rituals last for 2 days before the actual wedding ceremony, followed by the reception arranged by the groom’s family.
Wedding invitation card
Hindu brides and grooms always make sure to invite all their relatives and friends to their weddings. So, their foremost job is to select a beautiful wedding card and place the order for its printing as per their enlisted number of guests. Now, plenty of Hindu wedding invitation designs are available online, in the catalogs of reputed wedding card makers.
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Mehendi Ceremony in Hindu Wedding
Mehendi ceremony is held at the bride’s place, only 1 or 2 days before the wedding date. The reddish orange Mehendi paste is applied on the hands and feet of the bride, in intricate designs. The name or the initial of the groom is sometimes hidden within the Mehendi design made on the bride’s palms.
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Sangeet Ceremony
Sangeet ceremony is a cultural function held a couple of days before the wedding at the bride’s place. Both families take part in it, enjoying music and dance together. Thus, they get a chance to know each other while making much fun.
Tilak Ceremony
This ceremony is also a pre-wedding ritual where the bride’s father or brother visits the groom’s house. He puts a tilak on the forehead of the groom with sandalwood paste or kumkum, as well as gives him some presents. It is organized to show the acceptance of the groom by the bride’s family.
Haldi Ceremony
It is a prime pre-wedding ceremony that is held on the day of the wedding. Turmeric paste and water are applied to the groom first and then sent to the bride’s house, to apply to her in a similar way. Normally, married women conduct this ceremony in the early morning of the wedding day.
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Roka Ceremony
This is the first ritual performed for confirming the decision of marriage taken by both families. It is the same as the engagement party, officially declaring the wedding of the couple. The word ‘roka’ is derived from the Hindi word ‘rok’ that means ‘stop’, sealing the relationship between a man and woman.
The Baraat
This is a wedding procession led by the groom and his family members and friends singing and dancing all along the way. The groom and other people of the Baraat are heartily welcomed by the bride’s mother and other family members when they reach the bride’s place.
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Ganesh Poojan
According to Hindu custom, Ganesha is worshiped before starting any important work. Thus, Ganesh Poojan is an essential part of starting the wedding ceremony. It is done by the groom after his bride arrives in the mandap.
Varapooja
The groom and his family members are taken to a decorated room, where the family deity of the groom is worshipped. The groom is showered with various gifts by the bride’s family while his family members are offered refreshments and various delicacies.
Exchanging Garlands
The bride and groom exchange flower garlands with each other, which is a primary step of a Hindu wedding. It signifies their acceptance of each other as life partners.
Kanyadan
The bride’s father or elder brother offers her hand to the groom, which is called a sacred act as per the Hindu tradition. By this ritual, the father passes on the responsibility of his daughter to her husband.
SaatPhera
The bride and groom take seven vows while moving around a sacred fire seven times. It is the most important wedding ritual, as all these marital promises are stated in the Vedas for every Hindu couple.
Sindhoor & Mangal Sutra
The groom puts red vermilion or Sindoor to the forehead of his bride at the end of the wedding ceremony. Finally, he ties a Mangalsutra around the neck of the bride, which is another symbol of a married woman.
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Vidaai Ceremony
This is the last part of a wedding at the bride’s place when the bride is officially bid farewell by her family. Then she leaves with her husband to her in-law’s place.
These are all the Hindu wedding rituals that every Hindu couple needs to go through, amidst lots of joy.