The engagement ceremony takes place on an
auspicious date fixed by the elders of the family after consultation with the
priest. As compared to the wedding, this is a small affair which is attended
mostly by close family members and friends of the girl and the boy. During this
ceremony, the couples exchange wedding rings. It is followed by exchange of
sweets between them as well as the members of both families. The occasion
concludes with music, dance and lots of fun. 'Mehendi'/'Sangeet' is another
fun-filled event that takes place at the bride's house just a day before the
actual wedding. On this day, henna (mehendi) is applied on the bride's palms
and feet with intricate patterns. Other women attending the occasion also get
mehendi done on their hands. This occasion is also celebrated with song and
dance. The wedding day customs include Jaimala, Kanyadan, Rajaham, Gath
Bandhan, Mangalphera, Sindhoor, Aashirvad, etc
Jaimala is related to the exchange of garlands between the
bride and the groom. It is a sign of accepting and respecting each other as
life partner.
Kanyadan
is very popular in almost all the Hindu marriages. In this custom the brides
father present the brides hand to the groom and requests him to accept her as
his partner all throughout his life. It is believed that the bride is a symbol
of Goddess Laxmi and the groom is a symbol of Lord Narayana and the parents are
only helping them to be united.
Rajaham is the sacrifice to the Holy Fire. The Hindu bride
used to place both of her hands into the hands of the groom and then the
brides brother presents rice into her hands. After that the bride and groom
put forward the rice into the fire as a sacrifice.
GathBandhan deals with the tying of the marital
knot between the bride and groom. The scarves that are placed around the
wedding couple are joined together to symbolize their eternal bond. It stands
for their oath before the God to remain faithful to each other and also to love
each other.
Saat phere deals with walking
around the fire The bride and groom take seven rounds of the fire to symbolize
the commencement of the journey throughout their life. Every step has got a
significance of its own.
Sindhoor
ceremony deals with the application of vermillion or the red powder on the
brides hair parting and welcomes the bride as her life partner.
Aashirvad ceremony the bride and groom take
blessings from their parents by touching their feet as a mark of respect.
Nidhijha(Kolkata)
