WEDDING VACATIONS

The Indian Wedding

Wedding marks the beginning of a new life for two individuals, a bond not only between two individuals, but two souls. Moreover, in India, it signifies the start of lifetime relationship between two families or even distinct cultures and communities. Indian marriage ceremonies are clustered with exotic rituals and customs, varying drastically from region and community. Hindu wedding is a jazzy affair in which family and friends get together to make the occasion a memorable one. Days of preparation preceed the actual marriage function which generally takes shape at the bride's place.

Wedding ceremony in India can be a costly and splashy affair, especially when the couple getting conjoined belong to the higher strata of the society...the ceremony can turn out to be an opportunity to display one's metal. The Indian wedding ceremony is fast gaining popularity around the world and even a huge number of foreign nationals visit the country just to get married again in traditional Indian style.

The Indian Wedding Tradition

The nuptial of Indian wedding is meant to bond two individuals and bless them for a journey in life together. The Hindu wedding ceremony lays emphasis on three essentials, happiness, harmony and growth, which is only possible when spirit unites with matter. The origin of this institution can be traced back to the vedic times. While ancient weddings were held over a period of 5 days, modern ceremonies are confined to just one day.

Indian Wedding Extravaganza

Wedding ceremonies in the northern part of the country differs in a huge manner from those in other regions. The primary ceremony takes shape at the bride's place where a mandap (pavilion) is erected decorated with beautiful flowers and other traditional decorative stuff. The wedding may take place in a large garden, courtyard, square or a temple, depending on the preference of the couple's family members. The rituals are followed by a lavish dinner and endless partying. The couple seeks everyone's blessings for a happy married life.

Hindu weddings are conducted in traditional style, making use of Sanskrit, the ancient language in which most of the holy Hindu rituals are performed. A number of rituals have evolved since the ancient times and modified to suit the present day needs. However, the basic ceremonies continue to be followed...and the fervor and joy is unmatched as ever. This is an aspect of Indian life that remains completely unswayed by the western culture.

Some of the inseparable components of an Indian wedding are:

• Jaimala (Garland)
  The couple exchanges garlands as a gesture of acceptance of one another for life.
• Madhupak
  The bride's father offers the groom, a mixture of yogurt and honey to show respect and acceptance.
• Kanyadaan
  The bride's father gives away his daughter to the groom by placing her hand in the groom's, facilitating their union.
• Havan
  The couple invokes fire in a pit full of sandalwood, herbs etc....a gesture seeking the blessings of the fire god (Agni Dev)
• Bandhan
  The scarves of the bride and groom are tied together symbolising their eternal bond.
• Saat Phere
  The couple takes seven circles around the fire in clockwise direction, representing the seven goals of life they promise to accomplish together.
• Mangalsutra
  The groom ties a necklace around the brides neck, a symbol of married women in India.