Significance of Rituals in Indian Marriage

India is a land of varied traditions. Since time immemorial, people of different casts and creeds have been living here peacefully and harmoniously. This concept of living together of many cast, creeds or languages has brought uniqueness to the Indian tradition.

Wedding is a social celebration which is celebrated by all the religions, casts and creeds. They have their own rituals for a wonderful, peaceful and successful married relationship. Different casts have their own religious beliefs and sentiments and their life is fully influenced by them. Due to all these different casts and creeds, the traditional values of India have been amalgamated here and a new blend of traditions and rituals has come into existence which is also very attractive and ideal. To be very clear and precise, Indian culture, traditional practices and ritualistic celebrations have got new dimension since then.

Rituals of the Hindus:

The Hinduism is the major religion in India. The Hindus celebrate many festive occasions but the wedding celebrations are really unique and all the rituals are wonderful and enjoyable. A wedding ceremony is generally conducted by a Brahmin. He chants the mantras from the Vedas. It is said that these mantras are chanted to invite the gods and goddesses in the wedding ceremony and to bless the new couple for a happy and peaceful married life.

The major rituals in a Hindu marriage are:

*Ashirwad: This is also called Chheka or Engagement in which the relationship between the boy and the girl is said to be finalized.

*Barat: This is basically the coming of the marriage procession to the bride’s place or to the wedding venue. It consists of the Groom, his relatives and friends and other close acquaintances. The marriage party is welcomed by the bride’s relatives and friends.

*Malabadal/ Varmala: This is a very interesting ritual of the Hindu marriage. In this ritual, the bride and the groom exchange their garlands in the presence of the friends and relatives of the groom and the bride.

*Kanyadaan: This is the most important and the most sacred part of a Hindu wedding. In this ritual, the father of the bride hands over his daughter ceremonially to the groom. This marks the confirmation of the relationship as the groom accepts his bride in front of a big gathering.

*Saptapadi: In this very important ritual, the bride and the groom move around the sacred fire for seven times. In these seven circles around the sacred fire, both the alleys of marriage take seven vows of faith, confidence, love, togetherness etc. Moving around the fire means the presence and witness of Agni, the god of fire, in the wedding relationship.

*Sindoordaan: This is the final ritual of the Hindu wedding in which the groom puts sacred ‘sindoor’ or vermilion in the parting of the hair of the bride. This confirms the relationship between them.

Rituals of the Muslims

A Muslim wedding is conducted by a Quazi. He is the authority of conducting a ceremony like this.

*Nikah: The wedding ceremony is also called Nikah. This ceremony is attended by the relatives and friends of both sides. It generally takes place at the residence of the bride. The priest reads a certain part from the Quran and the groom and the bride accept it and give his/ her confirmation. This mutual acceptance is of prime importance for the Muslims.

*Nikahnama: It is a legal document which is signed by both the bride and groom and some elderly persons from both the marriage sides. After the signatures are made, the marriage is said to have been completed. The elders bless the newly wed couple.

Later a wedding feast is arranged in which the friends and relatives of the groom and the bride are invited.

Rituals of the Christians:

The Christians get married in a church. Generally a Christian wedding ceremony is conducted by the priest of the church.

*Arrival of the Bride and Groom: Both the alleys of marriage arrive at the church with their parties. The bride is accompanied by the maid and the groom is accompanied by the Second man.

*Ring Ceremony: After getting the permission from the priest, the groom and the bride put rings in the fingers of each other. It is an attractive ceremony which is witnessed and enjoyed by on and all present in the church.

*Reading from the Bible: The priest reads a part of the holy Bible and the groom and bride give their consent to that. This is a very important part of the ceremony where the confirmation from both groom and bride is expected very eagerly.

*The blessings: After the confirmations are made, the husband and the wife are blessed by the priest and all the elders present in the church to witness the ceremony.

Rituals of the Sikhs

*Chuda and Ghara ghardoli: This is the first ritual of a Sikh wedding. A havan or a special puja is done before the bride gets ready for the wedding. This ritual is performed by the uncle and the aunt of the girl. At the end of this ritual, water is brought from the nearby temple and the bride takes a bath in this water.

*Sehrabandi and Ghodi Chadna: Here the groom gets ready for the final ceremony. He puts a veil on his face. He, then, rides a mare and departs fro the bride’s place for the final ritual. Surma is applied in the eyes of the boy by his sister.

*Varmala and Wedding: At the wedding venue, the groom and the bride exchange their garlands in the presence of the relatives and other invitees. Later, at night, the pundit i.e. a holy man from the community conducts the wedding ceremony.

*Bidaai: The next day, the bride leaves her home for her new home. She is given a farewell from there and later, is welcomed by her new relatives at her in-law’s house.

*Reception Party: A reception party is organized by the groom’s family to introduce the member in the family. It is attended by the relatives and other invitees from both families.

Indian wedding rituals are very attractive and are very enjoyable.