Indian weddings are known for their grandeur and opulence. They are often lavish affairs, with several ceremonies taking place over the course of several days. Marriage is considered a sacred bond in Indian culture, and wedding ceremonies are often incredibly elaborate.
The bride and groom usually wear traditional Indian clothing, such as a sari or sherwani. The ceremonies often include many rituals, such as exchanging garlands, feeding each other sweets, and tying the knot. Indian weddings are often very colorful affairs, with guests wearing brightly-colored clothing.
Music and dancing are also integral parts of Indian weddings. Often, there will be a band playing traditional Indian music, and guests will dance throughout the ceremony. The reception is usually a lavish affair as well, with delicious food and drink served to the guests.
Indian weddings are truly a spectacle to behold, and are an important part of Indian culture. If you have the opportunity to attend one, it is an experience you will never forget.
In America, many men and women see getting married as one of the biggest life celebrations. Marriages in the United States can vary greatly in terms of ceremony- from a Catholic church service officiated by a priest to a trip to the courthouse for two lovers.
Marriage is a beautiful thing that two people partake in when they decide to spend the rest of their lives together, whether it be through sickness and health, or poorer or richer. Marriage is a bond that many consider unbreakable. In India, weddings are considered one of the most joyous and sacred occasions. Families begin preparations months, sometimes even years in advance. Indian weddings usually take place over several days and include a plethora of ceremonies and traditions.
The first day of an Indian wedding is typically called the Mehndi ceremony. This is when henna is applied to the bride’s hands and feet in beautiful patterns. The second day is when the actual wedding takes place. The bride and groom exchange garlands as a sign of their love and commitment to each other. The third day, called the Vidaai ceremony, is when the bride says goodbye to her family as she leaves to start her new life with her husband.
Indian weddings are extravagant affairs with many traditions and ceremonies that are steeped in meaning and symbolism. If you have the opportunity to attend an Indian wedding, it is sure to be a memorable experience!
The United States recognizes marriage as the formal union between two people, typically recognized by the law, in which the two become partners. we are much more lenient with the idea of marriage and the actual wedding process than other cultures; in places such as Pakistan- a wedding symbolizes much more. Indian weddings are known for their extremely elaborate ceremonies- including before and after the “big day”, and their opulent celebrations (Husain, 120).
Marriage has always been a sacred institution in India, and weddings are seen as a joyous occasion for not just the couple getting married, but for their families and friends as well. In fact, Indian weddings are usually more of a celebration than just the act of two people getting married. The pre-wedding ceremonies, called shadi, can last up to several weeks before the actual wedding day (“Indian Wedding Traditions”).
These celebrations include Mehndi- where henna is applied to the bride’s hands and feet in beautiful designs, Sangeet- a musical evening where family and friends sing and dance together, Haldi- a ceremony where turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom to bless them with good health and luck, and lastly the Baraat- a procession where the groom arrives at the wedding venue on a horse or in a decorated car.
After all of the pre-wedding festivities, the wedding day itself is just as lavish. The bride and groom both wear brightly colored clothes, often times embroidered with gold thread. The bride usually wears a sari, while the groom wears a sherwani- a long coat that reaches down to his knees. The ceremony is conducted by a priest, who chants holy hymns and reads from religious texts. The bride and groom exchange garlands of flowers, called jai mala, signifying their love and commitment to each other.
In Indian culture, marriage represents not just the binding of two people, but also the coming together of two families and extended family networks. (Serhan, 24) The first step in any marriage process is usually engagement. (Husain, 119). In the past, engagements were typically set up between the bride and groom’s parents as arranged marriages; however, nowadays almost all marriages are love-based instead. (Gullapalli)
In some cases the boy and girl have known each other previously, but in others they may be meeting for the first time. Once the decision has been made that the two individuals are suited for each other, the next step is to set a date for the wedding.
The day of the wedding is decided by an astrologer who looks at the bride and groom’s horoscopes to find an auspicious day. (Serhan, 25) The parents also consult with religious elders to find a good day according to the lunar calendar. (Husain, 119). On this day, both families gather together at the home of the bride or groom to celebrate the occasion.
The actual ceremony takes place under a canopy called a mandap. (Gullapalli) The bride and groom sit on two separate chairs facing each other with their parents sitting behind them.
A holy fire is lit in front of them and they take seven vows around the fire, called the Saptapadi, which symbolizes their seven lifetimes together. (Serhan, 25) After the ceremony, the bride and groom exchange garlands as a sign of their love and commitment to each other.
The bride then puts a red mark, called a sindhur, on the forehead of the groom, which is a symbol of her love and faithfulness. (Husain, 120). Finally, they exchange rings and are declared husband and wife.
In the traditional courtship process, the bride’s parents would meet with the prospective daughter-in-law and her parents to formalize the marriage proposal. If all parties were in agreement, then the two families would be committed to each other for marriage.
If the proposal is not accepted immediately, there may be a period of deliberation before the families come to an agreement. In some cases, the young man’s family may visit several times before an agreement is reached.
The bride usually wears a red sari and covers her head with a dupatta (scarf) during the ceremony. The groom typically wears sherwani, a long coat-like garment, and a turban. Indian weddings are often very colourful and festive occasions, involving many people and lasting for several days.
In recent years, Western wedding traditions have become more popular in India, and many couples now choose to have a civil ceremony or even a destination wedding outside of India. However, traditional Hindu weddings are still very popular, and many families continue to follow the old customs.
