How to Honor Hindu Wedding Traditions
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.
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Instructions
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Honor the tradition of "Bariksha," in which the parents of the bride-to-be indicate they are interested in a particular man and his family agrees the couple should wed. This is common in arranged marriages, which are still paramount in India.
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Participate in the "Tilak," in which the bride's mother and father go to the groom's family to declare the impending marriage. A large dinner is given by the groom's family in honor of this announcement.
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Prepare for the wedding to take place under a "mandap," which is a canopy. Hindu weddings generally take place in the evening, outside under the stars.
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Celebrate the groom's arrival with his procession, which is called the "Baraat." This is the beginning of the actual wedding ceremony. As soon as the groom arrives, he and the bride meet together to swap garlands in what is termed the "Jaimala." Friends then give the couple gifts and enjoy some food, after which time, they leave the bride and groom alone with their families.
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Continue the Indian marriage ceremony with the bride and groom sitting by a fire while a priest repeats hymns and the couple exchanges vows. This ceremony is said to take place in the presence of Hindu gods and goddesses.
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Honor the "Phere" by tying together a piece of the groom's garments with that of the bride's. This symbolizes their union. Thus entangled, they will walk around the fire for a total of seven times, with the bride leading the first three and the groom taking charge for the final four.
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Finish the ceremony with the groom placing red powder called "sindoor" in the part of the bride's hair. He will also adorn his bride with a necklace called "mangalsutra."
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Pronounce an end to the wedding activities with a breakfast at the bride's home on the morning following the wedding. When the groom and bride leave her home, the bride's family will toss white rice in their wake.
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Tips & Warnings
Have the bride adorn her hands and feet with henna, one of the traditions that is becoming popular in other countries as well.
Always remove shoes before entering the canopy under which the wedding will take place.
