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Hindu weddings epitomize three important tenets: happiness, harmony and growth. The ceremony and reception are bright and include a blend of tradition and celebration. The attire worn to Hindu weddings reflects the ancient rituals and festive nature of the event. Whether you are the bride, groom or a guest, you should be aware of certain elements of dress to honor both the celebratory occasion and the bridal couple.
The Hindu calendar corresponds to phases of the moon, with each month beginning with the new moon. Each year consists of 12 months with 29 1/2 days, totaling 354 days. Festival dates move back 11 days each year, so an extra leap month is added once every three years. The year is divided into six seasons and two halves. Throughout the year, Hindus consult the calendar to decide the dates that festivals will be celebrated on.
Tamil weddings are colorful, festive celebrations that, true to Indian tradition, often last for several days of more. The Tamil people are an ethnic subgroup that originated in India and Sri Lanka over 2,000 years ago. Tamils are a traditionally Hindu people. Because the Tamils believe in modest living, wedding ceremonies are not known to be extravagant affairs. They are however steeped in ritual and tradition, and attract friends and family from near and far.
The Hindu marriage ceremony is ripe with ancient traditions and rituals that bond the bride and groom together in marital union and join the two families. The ceremony centers around the values of happiness, harmony and growth, which are reflected in the many aspects of the wedding.
A Hindu marriage ceremony is a traditional ritual that brings two people together as soul mates, and may also focus on the combining of the two families. Commitment, love, concern and emotion are common themes of all Hindu wedding ceremonies. Family traditions and the local community dictate which specific rituals are performed. Central to all ceremonies is the Sapta Padi, where the couple circle a ceremonial fire and recite seven specific vows to each other. Hindu wedding ceremonies often involve hundreds of people and last for days.
The traditional Hindu wedding practiced by many Indian families is a lavish affair. The betrothed and members of the wedding party participate in a dozen or more individual rites and ceremonies. Most weddings embody ancient and modern traditions, with part of the service usually spoken in Sanskrit. Guests, who often number in the hundreds, are expected to present a small gift to the married couple. The bride's family and the groom's family exchange gifts before and after the wedding.
Beauty, pageantry and deep religious overtones fill Hindu weddings. The vows and commitment to life together as equals traveling on life's journey together are taken quite seriously. The lavish ceremonies also expand upon the incredible joy shared by all at these events. Whether you are planning a Hindu wedding or are just curious about this deeply revered ceremony, read on to find out more about this tradition.
Indian wedding traditions are about the coming together of families when a bride and groom unite. To honor Indian wedding traditions is to have a Hindu ceremony rich in heritage and ritual.
