What are the wedding traditions of an Indian wedding? The wedding traditions of an Indian wedding have their own set of rituals attached to them. Different states of India have different definitions and values associated with the wedding and the related ceremonies. Some of the states define a wedding as a combination of rituals and social gatherings that mark the day when two persons tie the knot and become husband and wife.
In the ancient times, marriages were arranged by the parents of the bride and the groom. The wedding would start with a puja, which was conducted by the priest or priestess concerned with the family. This would mark the initiation of the marriage ceremony. The wedding ceremonies were always conducted in the presence of the family and friends.
The wedding traditions of an Indian wedding vary according to the age and the social status of the bride and the groom. Traditionally, the wedding ceremonies start with the ‘Dahi Handi’ ceremony in the morning. This is a ceremony in which the hands and feet of the bride are decorated with lotus flowers, which is considered auspicious. The groom then takes his bride home and performs the ‘Nishchitaram’. The marriage ceremony then follows the next day in the ‘Saptapati Bandh’ at the residence of the bride.
The wedding day is celebrated in various ways. In some states, the bride and the groom have a traditional ‘Petrikettu’. This is a simple ceremony in which the bride steps into the water while the groom steps into the holy water carrying the ‘Rakta’ along with him. The couple then takes nine rounds around the holy fire to complete their marriage. The wedding is closed with a sumptuous feast.
In some states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, the wedding is completed with a grand dinner. A cowherd or Jain priest presides over the gathering after which the couple is welcomed with traditional Jain dance and music. Following this, a sumptuous banquet is prepared for the guests. The gifts given to guests at the wedding also serve as the ‘Rakta Bhavan’, which signifies the lord of gifts.
The wedding day is not only about the celebrations but it’s also about the preparations as well. There are different kinds of rituals that are performed on this special day. For the first two days of the wedding, the bride and the groom have to go through purifying rites. The bride has to wash her hands with milk & eucalyptus, while the groom has to fast for twenty-four hours. On the wedding day itself, they have to wear new clothes, as old clothes have to be disposed of. There are special prayers chanted by the priest during the Purifying ceremonies.
A Brahmari (priest) performs the ceremony of tying the knot with the bride. After the marriage, the couple takes seven rounds around the sacred fire, where they pray to please their gods and goddesses. After the marriage, the guests are blessed with water, fruits and grains as a token of blessing the couple. After this, the family of the couple head to their new home, where they celebrate the wedding feast. This can last for two days, or for a week, depending on the size of the reception hall.
In today’s modern weddings, there are a lot of things that have been changed from the age-old Indian traditions. However, one thing remains the same – the exchange of wedding vows between the bride and the groom. In fact, it’s still considered as one of the most important parts of the wedding. What are the traditions of an Indian wedding? It’s really nothing special, but it does symbolise the love between the two people. What are the things we can learn from them?
