Every country all over the world has its customs and beliefs which they jealously hold on to over some ages past. When it comes to the issue of a wedding in India; we shall be taking a look at the expectations for the day; a practice that is held all over India. The custom of weddings in India is a beauty to behold.
The Expectations
The tradition of a wedding in India is not a one day affair. It is normally a multi-day affair and it involves many intricate ceremonies. We have the mehndi ritual-it is a must. This involves the intricate painting of the hands and feet of the bride. Indians believe in good luck; they are of the opinion that it brings success to the union. A typical Indian wedding involves a lot of flowers or rose petals that are thrown around with the belief that they will bring good luck to the newly wedded couple. There are usually invited guests of honor and garlands are presented to them as part of the wedding rituals.
The wedding is divided into three main divisions- the pre-wedding; the main wedding and the post-wedding. We shall make an attempt to give details of what goes on in each of the divisions classified under the wedding plans; you can get updates on this on any of the good
matrimonial sites online.
The Pre-wedding Rituals
This is the first and introductory part of the wedding. It is a night party that takes place the night before the day of the wedding. The night will involve all the parties involved in the wedding from the groom’s family to the family of the bride. It is a sort of getting together; an opportunity for each family to know each other and most importantly have fun through the night. A Pandit is responsible for selecting the day of the wedding based on the horoscope of the bride and groom. This same Pandit will be saddled with the responsibility of offering prayers for the couple to be.
The Wedding Altar
It is known in the local dialect as mandapa and it is built the day before. This is where the mother in law will welcome his son in law. The feet of the son in law is washed by the mother in law before she welcomes him into the mandapa. He will be offered milk and honey. While there; the sister in law will make an attempt to steal the shoes of the groom; if she succeeds; then the groom will be made to pay a fine before he gets his shoes back. There is this superstition about evil spirits; that is the main reason why you will see a typical Indian groom having his turban with a veil of flowers to protect him from the attacks from the evil spirits.
The Role Of The Bride’s Parents
They are the chief host for the wedding. It is customary for them to remain pure throughout the course of the wedding and for that reason; they will not eat on the day of the wedding until after all the rituals have been concluded. A visit to any of the credible
matrimonial website will confirm this.
The Vows
In some cultures; the ring is exchanged when making the marriage vows; it is not so in India. The Mangala Sutra is tied around the neck of the bride. It is a cord with two golden pendants with three knots and it symbolizes a bond between the couple that is to last for a 100 years.
The bride will now leave for her new home. She is expected to kick a bowl of rice placed at the entrance; spilling the contents on the floor which symbolizes wealth
