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Hindu wedding
- 2. 1. Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality. 2. Hindus believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns are God's word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion.
- 3. 3. Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution. 4. Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds. 5. Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved, and moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained. Not a single soul will be deprived of this destiny. 6. Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments and personal devotionals create a communion with these devas and Gods.
- 4. 7. Hindus believe that an enlightened master, or satguru, is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry, meditation and surrender in God. 8. Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, noninjury, in thought, word and deed. 9. Hindus believe that no religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine paths are facets of God's Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.
- 5. The brides family has to give a lot of presents, money, gifts and food to the groom family. The bride is not allowed to wear white, its a color of grief. The bridal dress is a sari and the bride dons all the ornaments. Her hair is usually in a bun and covered with a crown and veil. Sandalwood is artistically applied on her face in the design of the crown.
- 6. The groom will wear a Dhoti, which is an unstitched garment, and a shirt. On arrival at the brides house he will change into another similar outfit. He will cover himself with a sheet and wear the topor (paper mache headdress). The groom may wear a white silk brocade suit, sword and turban as his wedding outfit.
- 7. Traditions changes from one region to another but there are some very important commons points. The main point of a Hindu wedding is to found a family and create an alliance between the brides and the grooms families.
- 8. The ceremony can last from one to twelve days. Hindu weddings are mostly arranged weddings. If the wedding is sumptuous it will take away the evil eye.
- 9. Jaimala (Exchange of Garlands) The couple exchanges garlands as a gesture of acceptance of one another and a pledge to respect one another as partners. Madhupak (Offering of Yogurt and Honey) The brides father offers the groom yogurt and honey as the expression of welcome and respect. Kanyadan (Giving Away of the Bride) The father of the bride places her hand in the grooms hand requesting him to accept her as an equal partner. The concept behind Kanyadan is that the bride is a form of the goddess Lamxi and the groom is Lord Narayana. The parents are facilitating their union.
- 10. Havan (Lighting of the Sacred Fire) The couple invokes Agni, the god of Fire, to witness their commitment to each other. Crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar rice and oil are offered to the ceremonial fire. Rajaham (Sacrifice to the Sacred Fire) The bride places both her hands into the grooms and her brother then places rice into her hands. Together the bride and groom offer the rice as a sacrifice into the fire.
- 11. Gath Bandhan (Tying of the Nuptial Knot) The scarves placed around the bride and groom are tied together symbolizing their eternal bond. This signifies their pledge before God to love each other and remain faithful. Mangalphera (Walk Around the Fire) The couple makes four Mangalpheras around the fire in a clockwise direction representing four goals in life: Dharma, religious and moral duties; Artha, prosperity; Kama, earthly pleasures; Moksha, spiritual salvation and liberation. The bride leads the Pheras first, signifying her determination to stand first beside her husband in all happiness and sorrow.
- 12. Saptapardi (Seven Steps Together) The most important rite of a Hindu Wedding The bride and groom walk seven steps togehr to signify the beginning of their journey through life together. Each step represents a marital vow: First step: To respect and honor each other Second step: To share each others joy and sorrow Third step: To trust and be loyal to each other Fourth step: To cultivate appreciation for knowledge, values, sacrifice and service Fifth step: To reconfirm their vow of purity, love family duties and spiritual growth Sixth step: To follow principles of Dharma (righteousness) Seventh step: To nurture an eternal bond of friendship and love
- 13. Jalastnchana (Blessing of the Couple) The parents of the bride and groom bless the wedded couple by dipping a rose in water and sprinking it over the couple. Sindhoor (Red Powder) The groom applies a small dot of vermilion, a powdered red lead, to the brides forehead and welcomes her as his partner for life. It is applied for the first time to a woman during the marriage ceremony when the bridegroom himself adorns her with it.