Marriage
The Hindu marriage ceremony is considered Holy, related to God. Connected to a religious purpose., binding a man and woman together for life. It takes the Hindu couple into the second Life stages described in scripture as 1 - student; 2 - householder and parent; 3 - retirement and grandparent; 4 - sannyasin: a life of complete renunciation (most Hindus don't get to, or attempt stage 4)..
Traditionally, the day before the marriage, the bride has her hands and feet decorated with beautiful designs made with Paste made form dried and crushed henna plant leaves which dies the skin a rich red colour, fading to orange..
On the morning of the marriage, the bride and groom take baths and put on perfumed oils to symbolise being pure and ready to commit themselves to each other. In some Hindu communities the bride and groom To go without food and drink for a set period of time. until the wedding ceremony is complete.
Features of the marriage ceremony
- Most weddings take place in a A square canopy under which many Hindu weddings take place. The four corners represent the four elements, four stages in life and four aims in life. which contains a sacred fire at its centre. The groom traditionally waits for the bride in the mandap with the priest and family members.
- Prayers and offerings are made to A Hindu deity portrayed with an elephant’s head - a god of good luck. Son of Parvati and Shiva..
- The bride and groom place flower A wreath of flowers worn on the head or hung as a decoration. around each other’s necks, symbolising an unbroken circle to show eternal union. The priest then ties the bride’s Garment traditionally worn by many Hindu women. to a scarf worn by the groom, symbolising the couple’s physical and spiritual union.
- The bride and groom throw offerings of grains into the sacred fire in the hope of fertility regarding both food supplies and children. They walk several times around the sacred fire with each circuit representing different aspects of marriage.
- The bride and groom take seven steps and make seven promises to each other, including respecting each other, to have children, to be together for life and to protect each other.
- The groom puts red powder into the bride’s hair to show that she is now a married woman.
- The parents, family members and friends give their blessing to the couple using rice as a symbol of fertility.
In a traditional Hindu marriage, the aim is for the couple to grow together and share their joys and sorrows with each other. They will take care of their children and later, share wisdom with their grandchildren.
