Article by James Gunaseelan
Traditional Hindu wedding ceremonies can continue for days and comprise of rituals in Sanskrit, which may be comprehended only by the priest performing the ceremony. This ceremony is significantly shorter and is meant to be comprehensible even to a non-Indian audience, therefore making it ideal for intercultural marriages. The priest conducting the service does not have to be a Hindu priest who has gone through formal training. However, he or she should at least have adequate knowledge or Hindu weddings and at ease in directing participants, giving out details of the service to the audience and conducting the overall ceremony. It is sometimes permissible for the priest to have a script in hand during the event.
There are a few things you might want to know about Hindus and Hindu marriages. For one, Hindus consider a marriage relationship to last well beyond one life. Hindu marriages are viewed as a sacred relationship between two souls and not just between two physical entities. The bride is first married to gods and then offered to the bridegroom under his safeguard and as a gift from the gods. Traditionally, the bride and the bridegroom are known as divinities. When marriage commences, the bridegroom ties a sacred cord around the bride’s neck and takes her hand in marriage. This is known as panigrahanam. Next, they both make seven steps together around the fire saying vows of friendship and mutual loyalty.
Hindu marriage tradition emphasizes on the significance of a woman in the family. She is to share chores of the home like a goddess and take pleasure in the love and devotion of her husband and children. Consistent to the Hindu marriage Act 1995 in India, the eligible age for marriage is 21 years for a boy and 18 years for a girl. This law was passed essentially to ban child marriages.
Hindu sacraments are known as sanskars, and the sacraments conducted during a wedding are known as Vivah Sanskar. This sanskar highlights the beginning of the second and the most essential stage of life known as the Grihistha Ashrama, which is about starting a new family unit. Two people who are deemed compatible build an enduring partnership at this ceremony wherein the tasks and responsibilities of a householder are enlightened. The exact details and rituals conducted in a wedding ceremony differ from one region to the next and usually last many hours to accomplish.
The main stages of a Hindu wedding include Jayamaala, Madhu-Parka, and Gau Daan and Gau Daan and Kanya Pratigrahan. During Jayamaala, the bride’s parents receive the bridegroom and his family at the boundary of the home where the wedding is held. A red type of powder (known as kum-kum) is applied on their forehead. Members of both families are officially introduced, which highlights the beginnings of a relationship between two families. The bride and bridegroom finally exchange garlands and declare their acceptance of each other and unison. With Madhu-Parka, the bridegroom is lead to a specially adorned altar known as mandap and presented with a seat and welcoming beverage. With Gau Daan, gift exchanging commences. The groom’s mother offers a lucky necklace, or mangala sootra, to the bride. This is the symbol of marital status for a Hindu woman. With Kanya Pratigrahan, the bride’s father announces that their daughter has received the bridegroom and asks them to accept her.
Hindu weddings are indeed a colorful event. There are many customs practiced during the event, such as Vivaha-homa (recitation of sacred mantras), Paanigrahan (ceremony of vows), Shilarohan and Laaja Homa, Sapta-Padi (exchange of the seven vows and tying of matrimonial knot), Surya Darshan and Dhruva Darshan, and Ashirvada (Blessings).
Modern Hindu weddings are usually shorter and do not comprise of all the rituals conducted in traditional ceremonies. Rather, the families of the bride and groom select only particular ceremonies based on their family tradition, caste, and so on. Therefore, ceremonies differ among several ethnic groups that practice Hinduism.
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About the Author
James Gunaseelan writes for Hindus Matrimonial Portal http://www.hindusonlymatrimony.com/
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