India is known for its diverse culture and tradition and each tradition has its own peculiar religious structure confines with the large framework of wedding traditions. In India wedding is considered as a life milestone. Moreover, a wedding ceremony is an event where two souls make a lifetime commitment to each other. It’s an equal partnership between a man and woman. The wedding is a time when we mark our relationship to life. Wedding affair is a time of inexpressible joy. There are many different styles of a wedding in India, depending on the customs and rituals of the families involved. North India wedding tradition is a multi-day affair which includes the fusion of various wedding rituals proceedings like Lagan, Haldi, Sagai (Ring Ceremony), Mehandi, Sangeet, Saat phere, gorgeous attire and delicious food. Wedding in India is not only the bond of love and affection between two people but rather it’s about two families.
Depending on the regions like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana wedding the rituals, and customs are varied from family to family. Here we are telling you all the pre and post-Indian wedding customs and rituals and the significance related to them. The auspicious wedding ceremony starts with the first and the most important ritual i.e., Lagan Ceremony which is performed on the bride’s home where the Lagan Patrika (peeli chithi) is written by the priest in which the time of the Shubh muhurta of saat phere is decided. The second one is the Sagai ceremony and also known as Roka ceremony is being conducted. Where the tilak(tikka) is applied on the groom’s forehead by the bride’s father). The third one is the Engagement or ring ceremony, where the bride to be and groom exchange the rings. This Ceremony takes place a couple of days before the D-day. Another important ritual is the Haldi Ceremony which is held on the respective side of both the bride and the groom’s home. In this Ceremony, the Haldi( turmeric, sandalwood, and yogurt paste) is applied to the body of the would-be couple. Haldi has its own place in Indian wedding traditions and considered as a sacred ingredient or it’s a belief that it keeps off the evil eye away from the bride and groom. And that’s why after this ceremony bride and groom doesn’t allow to leave their home. Haldi has its anti- inflammatory properties too and also works wonders on skin and makes the skin glowing.
The next and big one is the Mehandi ceremony, where both the bride and groom- to -be hands painted with the Mehandi. Mehandi is considered as a Shagun or sign of good luck. It also signifies the love and the affection between the couple. It is said that if the color of Mehandi is dark than the love between the would-be couple is deep as well as the love and understanding between the bride- to-be and in her mother in law is more. The next day is the wedding day, where the bride and groom with their respective family, friends, and relatives come to the venue and the bride’s father welcomes the Barat. On arrival of the groom and the Baraatis, another ceremony “Var Mala” is performed by the bride and groom where they exchanged garlands in the presence of everyone. Right before the Pheras, a ceremony named “Kanya Daan” is being done where the bride’s father gives her daughter hand in the hand of the groom. Then the final and the most prominent tradition “Saat Pheras” in front of holy Agni Kunda is performed where the bride and groom circle the fire often holding hands and take promises to be beside each other throughout their lives. Then the groom applied the vermilion(sindoor) to the bride’s forehead and tie the “Mangal Sutra”. The wedded couple is showered with love and blessing by their respected elders for the Happy wedding life.
After the completion of pheras, the bride’s family bid adieu to their daughter with teary eyes. It’s the special moment of overwhelming emotions, happiness, and sorrow at the same time. Happiness for her daughter to start a new phase of Happy married life and sorrow for leaving the home.
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