|
Hindu marriages have been known for their fancy wedding decorations and elaborative customs and rituals. The tradition of Hindu marriages has been believed to originate ever since this world was created. Though with the changing life-styles many of the customs have been shortened or modified but certain Hindu marriage rituals are still performed as they were performed since the day one.
Some of the interesting and basic Hindu marriage rituals are:
Mishri ritual
Mishri ritual is performed by seven married women who are believed to represent seven forms of God. They take a pot of sugar and make the image of Lord Ganesha on it. This image is similar to Swastika but is made clockwise.
Pithi
The tradition of Pithi is performed the night before the wedding day. The bride and the groom are bathed with a turmeric paste.
Shilarohoma
Since the bride is observed as a shy individual, therefore this ritual was created for her. As the vows are taken by the couple during the marriage ceremony, the bride places her foot on a stone in order to show her acceptance to these vows.
Laja Homa
In this ritual the rice is placed in the sacred fire in order to seek blessings from the God.
Mehendi ceremony performed before a day to wedding day has its own significance. It is believed to impart not just sensuality to the bride but is also believed to have fertility related benefits.
Vedic hymns play an important part of every Hindu marriage. Before the wedding day, Navgraha Puja is performed in the houses of both bride and the groom. On the wedding day it is a ritual for the groom to reach at the bride’s place on a white horse decorated just for the purpose. The Swagat of the groom is done by the mother of the bride who performs aorta of the groom in order to ward-off any evils. Apart from the other small Hindu marriage rituals, Jamaal, Kanyadaan, tying of magalsutra and Sindoor Daan are important.
|