indian weddings they are easily among the most colourful, elaborate and lively in the world. Unlike in the West, where it is the bride and groom who are the featured characters, at an Indian wedding, it is the immediate and extended families on both sides who are the stars! A wedding is a social affair and announces the union not only of the couple but also of their families. So it should come as no surprise that most young people comply with their family’s wishes even today and enter into arranged marriages.
A typical Indian wedding is made up of three broad segments: the pre-wedding ceremonies (which are almost as elaborate as the wedding itself), the wedding, and some post-wedding rituals.
India is a vast and diverse country, with North, South, East and West, each with their own distinctive languages, cuisine, customs and traditions and wedding rituals.
north indian weddings
A traditional North Indian wedding takes place in the brides’ home. North Indian marriages are characterized by various pre- and post-wedding ceremonies. The most important pre-wedding ritual is the Mangni or Sagai (engagement ceremony). The boy and girl exchange rings in the presence of a religious priest and close family and friends.
On the day of the wedding, the boy’s family makes their way to the girls’ house for the evening amidst much cheering, dancing, and general merriment. The groom rides a brilliantly adorned horse, usually with the youngest child in the family sitting up front with him. He is preceded by a crowd of his relatives and friends, men and women, dressed in all their finery and accompanied by a music band. His face is covered with a curtain of flowers (the sehra that is tied by his sister). The noisy procession, with the band blasting out the tunes of the latest Bollywood blockbusters, winds leisurely past residential houses, busy streets before finally arriving at the girl’s house.
The groom and his family are warmly received by the young woman’s family, the new members greet each other by exchanging flower garlands.
Finally, the bride and groom, seated on a dais, rise to exchange garlands at the Jaimala ceremony, one of the most important of North Indian wedding traditions, to much good-natured cheering.
The next part is the most symbolic: the Saat Pheras (or the seven steps) that the bride and groom take around the ceremonial fire. Therefore, it is usually held very late, usually after 12 o’clock at night, long after the guests have eaten and left, and only the very close relatives of both sides remain. Both surround the fire in fear, making vows to love and honor each other throughout their lives. The groom then applies a streak of vermilion to the bride’s head, after which they become lawfully married husband and wife.
The family then tearfully bid the bride farewell as she leaves with her new husband to start a new life.
south indian marriages
The biggest difference between North Indian and South Indian weddings is that the latter takes place during the day instead of at night. The basis of the rituals is the same except that they are carried out differently.
The wedding venue is usually a hall where the wedding mandap (a small covered enclosure) has bananas tied to both doorposts, top festoons made from strung mango leaves, and Rangoli designs (intricate designs made from colored powder). ) at the entrance.
On the night before the actual wedding day, the bride’s parents lead the groom in a flower-bedecked procession from a temple to the wedding Mandapam (hall). Once there, the formal betrothal ceremony takes place. The elephant-headed god Ganapati, the God of Initiation, is invoked and begged to lead the couple away from all obstacles.
The ritual is followed by the presentation of clothes to the couple. Interestingly, marriage ceremonies are performed separately by the bride and groom.
The marriage ceremony is formalized in the hall by a Vedic priest who sings ancient hymns and verses, recalling the names of three generations of ancestors of both the bride and groom, before all who have gathered to witness the wedding. The bride and groom exchange garlands when they are raised on the shoulders of their respective uncles.
The bride then sits on her father’s lap for the ‘Kanyadan’ (gifting of daughter) ceremony to the groom. The bride is presented with a Mangalsutra (the scared necklace that indicates her married status), as well as a new sari that is wrapped by the groom’s sister.
After this, the groom walks seven steps with his bride, holding her hand. The seven steps are the most important part of the wedding ceremony.
The wedding is followed by an elaborate and delicious wedding feast, usually vegetarian.