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1. The Hindu marriage is considered to be a
sacrament, which implies that dissolution is
not permitted. Many of the rites testify to
this concept. The Vedic marriage is the
universal form and the rites associated with it
are a recurrent motif in Hindu marriages
throughout the country.
2. The customs and traditions in a Hindu
marriage are multifarious, yet, by and large,
they have some underlying similarities. For
example, the venue of a Hindu marriage is very
identifiable; strains of the shehnai are a
common feature. In the past, artistes were
generally present in person. Today, electronic
equipment helps create the ambience.
3. Some important rites are performed after
the ceremony, often away from the site of the
marriage; the initiation of the bride into the
groom's household is elaborate as well as
beautiful. The general idea is that she is
Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity) who will
bring prosperity to the household. Her feet are
dipped in milk reddened with alta, a red colour
used for dressing feet and she must leave her
foot prints all over the house. Rice grains are
strewn at her feet suggesting the promise of
opulence; milk is made to boil over, oil is
spilled all to the same purpose. She is
ceremoniously given charge of her new duties -
these vary from people to people.
A marriage consists of various stages:
1. Selection of the Couple
2. The Betrothal
3. Pre-Wedding Rituals
4. Traditional Decoration
5. Beautification of the Couple
6. The Wedding Ceremony
7. Post Wedding Rituals |
