look at the way weddings are conducted as per the different
cultures and traditions in India.
Maharashtra
Wedding
Maharashtrian wedding are a simple affair. With great
emphasis laid on the rituals, the wedding ceremony of the Maharashtrians
reflects a unique sense of elegance. They follow various rituals like Ganpati
Pujan (worshipping of Lord Ganesha) , Gaurihar Pujan (bride prays to Goddess
Paravati in a yellow sari gifted by her maternal uncle) , Lagna Muhurat (is the
ritual where the bride and the groom stands facing each other with the garland
separated by a thin white cloth as a partition between them while the priest
chants the verses. This ritual is completed when the bride and the groom
exchange garlands) , Kanyadaan (biding good bye to bride), Laxmi Narayan Pujan
(The bride's parents now worship the couple as they are considered to be the
avatar of Lord Narayan and his wife Goddess Laxmi), Akshataropan (showering of
unbroken rice) , Mangalsutra bandha (Putting Magalsutra around the neck of the
bride) , Vivah Hom( The priest ask the couple to repeat the marriage oath in
front of the fire) Lajja Hom ( a ritual of putting ghee and puffed rice into
the fire), Saptapadi (is a ritual of taking 7 pheras around the fire).
They do have some lighter moments too, like the bride’s
mother twisting the groom’s ear, the couple feeding each other sweets and
taking names of each other in verses. With changing times, an element of
contemporary style has been infused into the traditional attire, Jewellery,
food preparation etc. And some rituals are given a go-by mainly because of the
lack of time.
Bengali
Wedding
Bengali weddings are traditionally in two parts: the 'gaye
holud, the wedding ceremony called Bibahobashor, and the reception known as
Bou-bhaat. These take place on separate days. The first event in a wedding is
Ashirvaad, where the elders of both families assemble to bless the bride and
groom to-be with gifts of gold, silken clothes and dhan-durbo(husked rice and a
special grass),signifying wealth, prosperity and well-being. The groom and
bride may as well exchange rings, but this is not a part of the tradition
Bengali wedding however. This marks the beginning of the elaborate wedding
rituals.
Muslim
Wedding
In Muslim wedding before the start of the ceremony they apply
Ubtan to the Bride and the Groom followed by functions like Haldi Mehendi and
the wedding ceremony where the Imam recites the sermons which is called Nikah
during which a Mahr( a marriage gift given from the grooms family which consist
of money or Jewellery) is given to the
bride from the grooms end, After the nikah sermons are over,the bride and the
groom accept each other by saying “Kabool Hei”(I accept).
The next day there is a dinner party at the Grooms house
which is called “Walima” (reception hosted for the bride’s family by the
groom’s family). There are many lighter moments like Brides sister hiding the
groom’s shoe and returning back only in exchange to the demanded amount of
money, sister of the groom putting surma in the groom’s eye wherein she gets
money in exchange, Bride and the Groom hunting a gold ring in the bowl full of
milk and water. Then there is Ruksati which is also called Bidai which I believe
is common in most of the cultures.
Gujarati
Wedding
Gujarati people are vibrant and lively people. They love to
celebrate all their festivals and ceremonies with great pomp and show and
Gujarati marriage ceremonies are thus no exception.
A typical Gujarati Wedding begins with Sagaii or engagement.
It is actually the first formal approval of marriage in the Gujarati community.
The wedding rituals of a Gujarati Wedding ceremony are very interesting because
of the traditional ritualistic pattern.
Like other traditional Indian marriage Jaimala Varmala
(Garland exchange ceremony), Kanya Daan (which means giving away of bride) and Mangal Phera (walking around the fire)
are the rituals that are solemnized in the wedding apart from exclusive
Gujarati rituals like Madhuparka (Where Grooms feet are washed), Hastamilaap
(the groom's scarf or shawl is tied to the bride's saree), Saubhagyavati Bhava
(ritual wherein several elderly, married women from the bride's side of the
family whisper "aashirwaad" which is also called as blessings)and
Chero Pakaryo (This funny ceremony entails the groom catching hold of his
mother in law's saree and asking for more gifts). The post wedding ceremonies
are equally interesting. An emotional ‘Vidai’ (biding good bye to bride), ‘Ghar
Nu Laxmi’ i.e. welcome ceremony of the bride at groom’s home and ‘Aeki Beki’,
an interesting game to find out who will rule the household are some
interesting ceremonies of a Guajarati Ceremony.
Kashmiri
Wedding
Kashmiri wedding ceremonies are also quite simple and
conducted in accordance with their own customs and rituals. The wedding
procession is welcomed at the venue, wherein the fathers of the couple exchange
nutmeg as symbol of eternal friendship.
The bride and the groom are fed nabad (Misri, Sugar lumps)
and a dwar puja( this Puja is performed when the groom arrives with the baraat)
is conducted before going to the mandap for wedding ceremony. It is quite
similar to the Hindu wedding and consists of seven pheras in front of the
sacred fire, amidst mantras. After this the couple feeds each other with rice
and finally the Vidai ceremony takes place, as per which the bride leaves for
her marital home with her husband.
Parsi
Wedding
Parsi marriage is known as 'Lagan' and is conducted with
great zeal and fervor. The customs and traditions observed in the Parsi
marriage are quite different from the traditional Hindu marriage. This makes
them a lot more fun and interesting. The rituals performed during the wedding
are quite simple otherwise and provide full opportunity for enjoyment. For a
Parsi wedding a stage is set in a baug or agiary, the Fire Temple. The priest
circles the couple with a string, seven times. On the seventh round the couple
is supposed to throw rice at each other from over the curtain. Whoever does it
first, is supposed to rule the household.`
Punjabi
Wedding
Punjabi wedding are strong reflection of Punjabi culture.
Just like the opulent culture of Punjab, Punjabi weddings are quite fun. They
are conducted lavishly and celebrated with extreme gaiety. It is difficult to
resist the fervor of these weddings as they comprise of traditional folk dances
such as Bhangras and Giddas. To rejoice the special occasion like marriage,
there are number of rituals, which are performed before and after the wedding.
These rituals at times, seem to be just an excuse to celebrate and have fun.
To name few rituals
conducted Chuda (a set of red and cream ivory bangles arranged by Maternal
Uncle and Aunty that is touched by all present. People touch the chuda and give
their heartiest wishes to the girl for her future married life), Vatna (Four
lamps are lit and the bride is made to sit facing the lamp so that the glow of
the lamp is reflected on bride’s face. Vatna involves applying of paste made by
turmeric powder and mustard oil, Ghara Ghardoli (is a ritual where the bride
and the groom at their respective place are made to have bath with the holy
water before getting ready), Milni Ceremony (the brides close relatives gives a
warm welcome to the groom and their relatives by sprinkling rose water and
giving Shagun (small token of gift). Varmala (exchange of garlands between the
bride and the groom) Kanyadan (biding the bride goodbye) & pheras (going
around the sacred fire) these are few of the rituals in Punjabi wedding.
Catholic
Wedding
Considered one of the seven sacraments, or channels to God's
grace, the wedding ceremony is a serious affair in the Catholic Church full of
deep spirituality and rich symbolism.
Like other culture catholic tradition does not have so many rituals as
compared to the other culture we have seen so far, here’s what to expect.
Introductory Rites (Catholic weddings begin with an opening
prayer by the priest, naming the couple and asking for God's blessings on their
wedding day), Liturgy of the Word (The readers (often family members) read
Biblical passages selected by you and preapproved by the priest, followed by a
short sermon about marriage given by the priest. Rite of Marriage (couple declaring their
commitments & taking vows), Exchange of Rings (I think this is self
explanatory), Mass (Final Prayer where the priest as for sign of peace and
nuptial Blessings).
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