What makes these wedding rituals so loved and waited for!
“As the curtains rise, and we see the couple walking hand in hand after a fairy tale and a new life journey starts with being together”
You would be the bride or the groom who has dreams to get married on lines of Romeo and Juliet already looking to honour all the traditions in the family.
Let’s look at the customary rituals that do make one a traditional bride or a groom.
Tilak Ceremony
You like to welcome the groom and his family with fanfare? Then this traditional ritual is for that moment when the groom starts to become a part of the complete ceremony suite that follows this with the exchange of gifts between the families, applying the tilak on the forehead and garlanding the family members while welcoming them to be part of the festivities.
Mehendi Ceremony
You want your hands to be cheerful while getting hitched on the day? Then say thanks to Mehendi on your perfect hands that speak about your vision for a future husband.
Brighter and long lasting the henna – more will be the love from your husband for you- how this age-old tradition speaks.
Sangeet Ceremony
Want to dance off before getting on with the actual wedding rituals? Then Sangeet Ceremony literally gives you wings to dance the night out with your loved and dear ones accompanied by a lot of varied food, entertainment, and drinks flowing to the stressed souls.
Haldi Ceremony
Turmeric not a cosmetic – as you would have heard in one of the ads resounding across all our televisions is part of the vital elements to keep the body ready for the major rituals coming up as part of the wedding.
Haldi is revered as change agents for both Groom and Bride to keep their skin healthy, anti-nervous agents and clear the insensitive cells.
Kashiyatra
Ever wondered to run away from getting hitched anytime after the marriage date is fixed? Then Kashi Yatra gives you a chance to be done, though this is a hilarious ritual where the bride’s family invites the groom to change his mind through consent for marriage with their daughter.
Saat Phere / Seven Vows
Ever wondered going around a pyre of fire for 7 rounds – This ritual makes the bride and groom become aware of the life rules and agree upon to bear the load equally, remain supportive of each other in all times, work together to get the best results and celebrate joy and sorrows together.
Kanyadaan
Ever sat on your father’s lap and felt emotional? Then this situation and ritual will make you one while the father is handing over his daughter on to the hands of her husband.
This ritual marks the beginning of a new journey for the bride as she looks at her new home and companion to share all her views.
Mangal Sutra Tying Ceremony
Mangal Sutra symbolises the bonding and entry of a new member into the family with 3 knots – one knot from the husband and the rest 2 from his sisters who wholeheartedly welcome her into their home.
Vidai / Bidai Ceremony
Ever felt bad when leaving your favourite home? This will make you weepy while heading from your father’s home to your new abode – husband’s place. This is the time when the relatives of the bride wish her success in her new journey and phase of life.
Gruhapravesh
How excited are you when entering your new home? This commemorates the entry of the new member of the family to her new home.
Marking the entry of Laxmi Goddess in the house with her footprints and welcomed by the relatives with aarthi.
Ever been to a Christian wedding and do not know the rituals they follow?
Welcoming the bride
How privileged you feel when welcomed and showered with gifts?
As a start to the rituals in Christian weddings, the groom’s family shower the bride with gifts laden with jewellery, fruits, and the blessed wedding dress.
Wedding vows & Solemnising the marriage
Marriages are made in heaven and solemnised in churches! The new journey for the couple is blessed with the oath to be supportive towards each other, be friends forever and be a hand for each other in times of distress.
Rings are exchanged and then the priest declares them husband and wife in front of the guests.
Wedding Reception
Ever wondered where is the glamour quotient at the wedding? Enter the reception party where the guests flaunt their best party wear, have the best buddies along to spend the time they couldn’t do in the actual wedding along with a lavish buffet spread. This marks the end of the ceremony and start of a new identity for the couple as wife and husband.
Overall, the wedding is a tedious process and has too many rituals across all religions and communities–some are shared, and some are unique, and all are picture perfect for memory capture, as you get married once in your lifetime.
Honouring our traditions that are showing a sharp decline these days.