Hindu god Ganesh

HINDU MARRIAGES

The Hindu Marriage is a spiritual union of two individuals performed in the presence of God.

The ceremony evolved from the Vedic period dating back to 2000 B.C. The ceremony is solemnized in accordance with the Vedas.

 

The Mandap

  • The ceremony takes place in the Mandap (altar), which is built to represent the universe. The 4 pillars signify the four parents and their role in raising the bride and groom.
  • The flowers signify beauty and joy.
  • The grains represent food necessary to sustain life.
  • The holy fire represents Agni (holy fire), which is the divine witness to the union and brings warmth throughout the couple’s life.

picture of a mandap

wpe22.jpg (17906 bytes)

The Marriage Ceremony

HASTA MILAAP (Joining of hands): The bride and groom place their right hands together. The priest ties the ends of their garments in a sacred knot and they take an oath to love, cherish, and protect each other throughout their lives. The knot symbolizes everlasting togetherness.

 KANYA DAAN (Giving away the bride): The bride’s father first symbolically offers her to God and then formally gives her hand in marriage to the groom. This is one of the holiest and greatest Daan (sacrifice) ever performed by parents.

Gujarati

MANGAL PHERA (Holy steps around the fire): The brides brother gives her rice which she offers to the fire, signifying that he will provide support and protection to his sister when required. The couple circles the holy fire four times, symbolizing four basic human goals: DHARMA (righteousness), ARTHA (prosperity), KAMA (family life), and MOKSHA (liberation).

SEVEN VOWS:

·        Step one we take for food, health and vitality.

·        Step 2 we take for strength and stability in life.

·        Step 3 we take for prosperity.

·        Step 4 we take for happiness and harmony.

·        Step 5 we take for healthy offspring.

·        Step 6 we take for a long and happy married life.

·        Step 7 we take for the fulfillment of life’s purpose.

SINDHOOR (Vermilion) & MANGAL SUTRA (Sacred necklace): The groom places vermilion on the bride’s forehead and along the parting of her hair as she represents symbol of a married woman. The groom also places the Mangal Sutra made of gold and black beads around the bride’s neck symbolizing his eternal love for her.

VIDAI (Farewell to the bride):

 Usually the bride is made to sit in a palanquin and taken to the groom’s house after the wedding. A touching farewell is given to the daughter who will now be a wife and part of the groom’s family.

LIST OF SOURCES:

  1. http://www.seasonsindia.com/marriage/7steps_sea.htm. This website explains the seven vows that the bride and bridegroom take during the wedding ceremony.
  2. http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/nehaflix/Devdas3. I took the picture of an Indian woman dressed in the complete Indian attire with mangal sutra and sindhoor.
  3. http://www.chennaionline.com/style/jewellery/mangalsutra.asp. This website briefly explains the significance of Mangalsutra and also has its jpeg.
  4. http://www.carnaticcorner.com/hig/ganesh01.jpg. This website has the jpeg. Of Lord Ganesha.

_____________________

Submitted anonymously by a student, Spring 2003