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5 Hindu Wedding Ceremony Traditions You Need to Know

As per Hindu beliefs, marriages are made in heaven, and once the couple is married, the bond would last for seven lifetimes. It is a turning point and crucial even as they enter the second important phase of their life. There is no doubt that Hindu weddings are intricately planned, culture-rich festivities and vibrant events that are full of tradition and celebration. It is a holy ceremony that includes the emotional, spiritual and physical union of two people. It may be noted that there are eight different types of Hindu marriage that have been recognized by Hindu society. These are Daiva, Brahma, Asura, Arsha, Prajapatya, Rakshasha, Paiscaha and Gandharva. Hindu marriage includes some unique traditions that are very interesting, and if you are all set to face your life’s big event, then you should know about these traditions. And for that, we have covered five important Hindu wedding traditions. As you will be going through these traditions during your marriage, you should capture all your moments through Hindu wedding photography. Now, let’s talk about those traditions.

Some Important Traditions of Hindu Marriage

1. Mehndi- Frame it through Hindu wedding photography

Speaking about the mehndi, it is a beautiful pre-wedding event where the bride and her loved ones will apply henna on their hands as well as feet in unique patterns. As per the tradition, this party is generally hosted by the parents of the bride, and sometimes, it may include choreographed dance programs for entertainment as the Mehndi event can last for hours. And they hire the best Asian wedding photographer to capture unforgettable moments. The Hindu wedding tradition says the darker the henna appears on the skin, the more love they will get from their in-laws. The tradition is believed to bring good luck.

2. Sangeet and Garba

The meaning of sangeet is sung together, and this event represents the song and dance-filled prewedding event where the ceremony truly begins. This is also known as Garba. On the other hand, other traditions of the wedding, such as Haldi and more, are solemn and primarily focused on wedding elements; the sangeet is all about fun. This tradition reveals the joy and happiness of the occasion. During this occasion, the family and friends will perform dances. This tradition has two primary purposes, first to celebrate the big day, and the second purpose is to connect the families together.

3. Vara Yatra or Baraat

The Barat, also called Vara Yatra, is the occasion of the arrival of the grooms to the wedding. This tradition includes lots of dancing as well as singing as the groom enters with a grand parade of family members and friends. The groom is dressed up in traditional Indian wedding attire, and all his dearest and nearest will join him.

Generally, the groom rides in on an elephant or a horse. But in modern times, some grooms ride fancy cars. Upon the arrival, the groom and whole groups are traditionally welcomed by the family of the bride. Don’t forget to hire a professional Asian wedding photographer to capture all these lovely moments.

4. The Sacred Space

A Hindu marriage will remain incomplete without creating a sacred space. The process of creating a sacred space has been celebrated as well as cherished through the rites of beautiful Hindu customaries. One of the great ways to honour the unique tradition is to have the wedding ceremony under a canopy with four pillars and a raised platform.

It is called a Mandap, and if you look at the structure of the Mandap, it will look like a temple. The sanctity of the temple will emulate the act of taking auspicious blessings through Pooja. As per the tradition, the couple may sit on the throne of pillows. In some areas, couples stand at the altar.

5. Lighting the Holy Fire- Capture This Moment with An Asian wedding photographer

One of the major aspects of the great Hindu ceremony is to light the holy fire, made from wooden wicks and ghee to evoke the God, Agni and to bear witness to the ceremony. As per the tradition, the couple will pledge the vows around the Agni. This holy fire acts as a witness to the ceremony.

The bride and groom take seven steps around the sacred fire while reciting the sacred Hindu marriage pledge. The spirit of the Holy Fire is invoked to cleanse the evil eyes and words and build on transparency and purity. The highlighted part is The Seven Steps. As per the tradition, the sari of the bride is tied to the kurta of the groom.

In some cases, a sari shawl can be draped from the shoulder to the sari. While walking around the fire, they agree to seven vows. With every step, they throw a little amount of puffed rice into the sacred fire and pray for prosperity in their new journey of life. This is an important part of any Hindu wedding ceremony as this creates a great bond between the couple.

The vows that they recite are:

  • The couple will offer support to each other throughout their life.
  • They will develop spiritual, physical and mental strength during their journey.
  • They both will share their worldly possessions.
  • They promise together to acquire peace, happiness as well as knowledge.
  • The couple promises together to raise virtuous and strong children.
  • They promise each other to enjoy the fruits of every season.
  • They will cherish each other and will always remain friends.

Before entering the mother-in-law’s house, the bride and groom are sprayed with saltwater. The bride then steps in a mixture of vermillion and milk and then kicks a pot full of rice while entering the house. This process ensures prosperity and fertility between the couple.

So, these are some of the important Hindu wedding traditions without which the ceremony will remain incomplete. Marriage is a big event in your life, and you should frame all the sweet memories in the photos. And for that, you can always hire the best Asian wedding photographer to get this done. Enjoy your life’s most important day and start a new journey together with some unforgettable memories.

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