THE HINDU CEREMONY

The Hindu ceremony starts off when the bride is brought in carried on a platform or “palanquin” by her closest male relatives to her groom who is sitting under a canopy or “mandop.” Under this canopy, a number of rituals can take place. For instance, the couple may exchange garlands of flowers or the groom may tie a pendant around the bride’s neck as a sign of happiness and fidelity.

The “kanyadan” is another ritual that consists of the parents of the bride wash the feet of both the bride and groom with milk and water. The couple then joins their hands together, with the bride’s fathers hand on top. The bride’s mother proceeds by pouring water on the fathers hands which ultimately reaches the couples hand.

The hastamilap where the bride and groom have their hands wrapped together in string, a traditional ritual done to signify the unbreakable bond the couple have now engaged in, the couple’s attire may also be tied together again to symbolize that they will always be together.
The last ceremony we will discuss is called the Agni or ‘holy fire.” The bride and groom walk around the sacred fire seven times during which they exchange their vows to one another. The groom may then end the wedding ceremony by chalking his brides hair or forehead with red powder called shindur to finally state the wedding has been completed and the two are finally married. The bride may also follow with something similar to this but instead places red paste to her husband’s forehead. As the couple is leaving, their guests shower them with flower pedals.

AN INDIAN RECEPTION

An Indian reception consists of a lot of upbeat music and a number of spicy entrees. Most couples stick to the traditional food such as kali dal, a traditional bean dish or the all time famous chicken curry and tandoori chicken. Rice is also very popular in the Indian culture. Indian food is great for it is not only enjoyed by Indians but a lot of other cultures. For your favors, try to be as creative as possible and add the Indian element too. For instance, giving your guests an Indian music CD or sweets from an Indian bakery are two great ways to introduce Hindu culture to your non-Indian guests. Henna kits are also another imaginative gift idea the couple can gift their guests, for henna is used by a lot of Indian women.

HINDU WEDDINGS

Hindu weddings are just so full of different traditional things when it comes to getting married. However, like in most traditions weddings the couple don’t focus fully on tradition in every aspect of the wedding mainly due to time restriction.

HINDUE WEDDING DAY ATTIRE

For a traditional Hindi wedding, the bride traditionally wears a red sari and a headpiece. The headpiece is often decorated with a small head ornament that comes over the forehead. The bride is also covered in expensive from head to toe! The brides hand’s may also be decorated with henna.
The groom traditionally wears fully white attire consisting of a kurtas, Punjabi/ dhoti, and mukut. The kurtas is a long loose pant topped with a Indian style tunic or dhoti, a one piece long material wrapped around the groom. Last, the groom wears a hat called a mukut.
The groomsmen and the bridesmaids follow the pattern of dress chosen by the bride and groom.

Hindu Wedding

Hindu Wedding

Hindu Wedding

Hindu Wedding

Hindu Wedding

Hindu Wedding

Hindu Wedding

Hindu Wedding

Hindu Wedding

Hindu Wedding

Hindu Wedding

Hindu Wedding

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