Hindu Weddings like other Indian weddings are spread over a span of four to five days. The weddings of the Hindus are popular for their great eclat and show. Money flows like the water of a river on the occasion of the marriage and all this elaborated pomp is done to solemnize seven vows of the marriage. Indian wedding is generally associated with Hindu Wedding as its traditions pervade in many sects such as Jains, Baniyas, and even in Punjabis. The wedding rituals differ by place or sect, but by and large, the wedding traditions remain same with very few alterations.
Among the Pre Wedding Rituals in the Hindu Marriage, the very first place goes to the engagement which is followed by tilak, sagai, sangeet and mehandi. In the engagement ceremony, the bride and groom exchange the rings. In the Tilak Ceremony, the to-be bride's brother applies Tilak on the forehead of the groom. On Sagai, both parties exchange gifts and on Sangeet, the ladies dance and sing to show their happiness. On Mehendi, special artists are called to decorate bride's palms and feet with mehendi.
On the wedding day Vara Satkaarah is done to welcome the bridegroom and his relatives on the entrance of the wedding hall. Then Madhuparka Ceremony is held to welcome the bridegroom at the altar where the bride offers a yogurt and honey mixed in a bowl to the groom and then garlands him. The groom also reciprocates by putting the garland in the bride's neck.
Then the father of the bride performs Kanya Dan by pouring out some holy water as a mark of giving away his daughter to the groom. To begin the sacred ceremony of taking vows in pure aura, Vivah-Homa, i.e., the sacred fire ceremony is held. Pratigna-Karan Ceremony is followed to bind the bride and the groom in the promises of loyalty, love and fidelity and the bride and the groom Circumambulate round the fire.
In Shila Arohan the bride's mother assists the bride to step onto a stone thereby preparing her to lead a new life. Then the bride performs Laja-Homah ceremony where she offers rice to the Gods seeking their blessings. The Mangalsutra is the mark of a wedded woman in Hindu culture. This pious sutra is tied in the neck of the bride by the groom. Without the seven vows, Hindu marriage can't be called complete. The ceremony of taking seven vows is known as Pradakshina. The groom holds the hand of the bride and takes seven vows by Circumambulating round the fire for seven times. The elders then bless the couple and the couples get bonded in wedlock. The Hindu Weddings in India are a reflection of the ancient beliefs and purity associated with the marriages.
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