10 Elements in Vedic (Hindu) Wedding

The Hindu Portal

October 28, 2015

A Hindu wedding is no ordinary affair. It is a glorious union of not just two individuals but two families. When you consider of a typical Indian wedding all that comes to our mind is Glittery set ups, flower arrangements, gleeful guests dressed in beautiful Indian attires, limitless food stalls, blazing fireworks and of course to add to the charm the Band Baja and the dances. But fairly this is not what a Hindu wedding is all about. It is an intense process which is followed with every detail even today. Here are some inseparable elements of Hindu marriage.

1.Takka Bidha
It is a small ritual followed just after the marriage is fixed to show the approval from both the families. Elders from the families come together along with bride and groom and exchange sweets.

2. Sagai
It is an official ceremony where rings are exchanged between the bride and the groom. It officially marks the beginning of their relation as a couple. In this ceremony Shadi ka joda and jewelry of the bride is gifted to the bride by her in laws.

3. Smadhi Milap
On the day of the marriage the groom arrives at the Mandap (venue) along with his family and relatives and they are welcomed by the Bride’s family.

4. Poonyah Vachanan
Once both the families come together, Lord Ganesh is worshiped by reciting his prayers; to keep all the obstacles away, as it is done in Hindu tradition before starting any auspicious ceremony.

5. Haldi and Sangeet Rajni
It is custom where the bride and the groom are smeared with haldi (Turmeric mixture) while the relative rejoice by dancing and singing for the occasion. It is said that haldi helps in beautifying the skin and adds charm.

6. Barat or Var Nikasi
Var means Groom and Nikasi means clearance. This is a custom where the groom along with his family and friends leaves his residence with great zest. Usually he sits on a horse and live band baja is played as the relatives and friends dance their way out towards the brides house or the venue of the marriage.

7. Kanyadan
This is a ritual where the father of the bride gives her away to her new family. The father places the right hand of the bride over the right hand of the groom. This is considered as the greatest honor for the parents of the bride.

8. Saptapadi
It act is known as the seven scared steps of marriage where the couple makes seven vows to each other in front of the holy fire by walking around it.

9. Mangalsutrabandhnam
After the seven vows are taken the groom ties a holy thread of black beads and a gold pendant around the brides neck to signify his rights over her as his wife. He also applies Sindoor or Kumkum on the bride’s forehead to symbolize the marriage.

10. Bidai
Bidai means Goodbye; it is a tradition where the bride’s family sends her off with tearful greetings.

By: +Prof: Koti Madhav Balu Chowdary

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