10 Extraordinary Traditions of Indian Traditional Wedding

• 2021-07-20 05:02:34

1. Misri- The fact that Indian weddings often take three days is one of the first things to know about them. In between these three days, there are a slew of ceremonies to attend. The Misri ritual is the very first of these. Misri is just sugar, which the groom's parents present to their son's bride to be. In this ceremony families exchange prayers, flower garlands, and gold rings during this ritual. The groom's parents traditionally give the bride a basket of presents as well as misri (rock sugar), which symbolises future sweetness.
2. Sangeet Ceremony- In today's Indian weddings, elaborate Sangeet rituals are held, in which the bride and groom's tale is enacted via various role plays and told in a musical style. Sangeet can be held individually or in conjunction with the Mehendi ceremony. The bride and groom's families (or just the women) gather for song and dancing as part of the celebration.
3. Mehendi Ceremony- Only one day before the wedding, the Mehendi ritual takes place. Only ladies are invited to this event, where mehendi is used to create detailed patterns on their hands and feet (also known as henna). The designs represent a profound tie between the husband and wife. The Mehendi ritual is frequently paired with Sagri, in which the groom's female family members present the bride with gifts and flowers.
4. The RED Look- At a Hindu wedding, don't expect to see a bride dressed in white! "A South Asian bride will traditionally wrap herself in a red sari or a modern lengha on her wedding day," Patel says. "Her attire symbolises devotion and fertility because of the lovely patterns and richness of colour with gold embroidery." Many modern brides, on the other hand, like to wear gowns in a range of rich, saturated hues, from pastel floral designs to brilliant yellows and vivid blues adorned with lavish embroidery.
5. Haldi Ceremony- On the same day as the henna ceremony, this ritual takes place. The haldi and henna ceremonies are sometimes combined into a single pre-wedding festivity. Indian maharanis, or queens, were the first to employ haldi. It's a fragrant golden powder. The bride sits in the midst of her friends and relatives, who proceed to paste it around her hands, feet, and face.
6. Baraat or Groom’s arrival (A mini celebration)- The groom's and his party's arrival at the ceremony site, known as the vara yatra or baraat depending on the region, is a joyous occasion. As visitors arrive, they are split into two groups: bridesmaids and groomsmen. While the groom's guests join him on his processional entry, the bride's side will be escorted to a meeting area.
7. The main event: Wedding- While on vacation in India, the dynamic and culturally rich Indian wedding ceremonies are without a doubt the nicest thing to observe. All pre-wedding and wedding ceremonies follow Hindu customs and norms, with each state adding its own variation. In India, the day of the wedding ceremony is replete with several traditions and rituals, each with its own symbolic purpose and significance.
8. Wedding Offerings- The couple is surrounded by the sacred fire, which acts as a witness. A number of offerings are made. The bride's brother hands his sister three handfuls of rice, which she offers to the fire each time. This ritual is performed with the intention of wishing the couple a good married life. This custom is locally known as Laja Homa.
9. Mandap and ‘Saat Phere’- The wedding mandap, also known as the wedding altar, is a temporary structure built during the wedding ceremony. It may be displayed on a raised platform with a variety of decorations ranging from flowers and greenery to cloth and crystals. Their parents and the ceremony officiant customarily join the couple beneath the mandap. A fire is lit in the centre of the mandap. The delighted bride and groom's robes are knotted together as they circle the sacred fire to fulfil their religious duty. The unshakable tie between their clothing is symbolised by the knot between them. They untangle this knot once all seven steps have been completed, signalling that the ceremony is now complete.
10. Vidaai or Bride’s Departure- The bride is taken home by the groom's family after the ceremony. In India, the Vidaai ceremony is a source of both sadness and joy for the bride's and groom's families. On one hand, the bride's family is passionate about giving their daughter's hand in marriage in exchange for a lifetime pledge from the groom to love, protect, and care for her.