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You're getting married! Mazel tov! While you probably have a good idea of the customs and traditions accompanying a Jewish wedding, you may not be as familiar with the rituals of an Indian wedding.

In this post, we'll break down the most common Indian wedding rituals, explain what they mean, and give you some tips on how to prepare for them.

 

1. Indian Wedding Traditions

The tradition of Indian weddings goes back thousands of years and has been passed down from generation to generation. In many parts of India, the groom's family pays for the bride's family to receive a dowry of gold and silver jewellery, clothing, money, and sometimes land. Even today, many young couples still follow these traditions. Many families choose to get married in their hometowns. The team plans the wedding months before the big day and invites friends and relatives to attend. On the big day, the bride wears her traditional white sari, while the groom wears his best suit. After the ceremony, the guests dance and celebrate with food and drinks.

 

2. Indian Wedding Reception

After the ceremony, the guests gather at the groom's home for a feast. There are many dishes to eat, including snacks, sweets, pieces of bread, curries, and rice. Guests are seated according to rank and age. Everyone dances and sings songs together until late into the night.

 

3. Indian Wedding Food

Traditional Indian food includes vegetarian meals like kheema (minced meat), makhani (creamy buttermilk), curry, and biryani (rice dish). Other foods include roti (flatbread), paratha (a flatbread stuffed with potatoes or vegetables), samosa (savoury pastry filled with potato or peas), and channa masala (chickpeas cooked with spices).

 

4. Indian Wedding Dress

A woman's dress consists of two pieces: a skirt and a blouse. The top piece is called a dupatta, which covers the head and shoulders. Women may wear coloured silk or cotton dupattas. Men often wear long shirts and pants. Both men and women have different types of shoes. Women wear sandals or slippers, while men wear leather boots or sneakers.

 

5. Indian Wedding Gifts

Many people give small gifts to the bride and groom at the wedding. These gifts are given after the ceremony and consist of sweets, jewellery, and clothes. If the couple lives in India, they might receive a car if they are wealthy enough.

 

6. Indian Wedding Flowers

Flowers play an essential role in the wedding ceremony. Usually, only white flowers are used. White flowers symbolise purity and innocence. Red flowers represent love and passion. Indian brides use marigolds to decorate themselves. In addition, brides wear yellow or orange saris. The groom wears a red shirt and carries a garland of marigolds.

 

Indian Weddings Are Big, Colorful, and Full of Rituals.

Indian weddings are significant, colourful events that are full of rituals. While it can be daunting to try and understand all the ceremonies and traditions, we're here to help!

In this article, we'll break down the most important rituals of an Indian wedding. We'll explain why each ceremony is performed and what it represents. By understanding the significance of these rituals, you'll be able to appreciate Indian weddings even more!

 

The History of Indian Weddings: Indian Weddings Have Been Around for Centuries and Have Evolved.

Indian weddings have been around for centuries, and they've evolved a lot over time. In ancient times, Indian weddings were all about the bride's family. The bride's father would host a huge wedding ceremony, and the bride would be married to the groom chosen by her family.

These days, Indian weddings are more about the couple getting married. There are still plenty of rituals and traditions that are followed, but they now have a more personal meaning. For example, the ritual of tying the thali around the bride's neck is now seen as a symbol of love and commitment between the husband and wife.

 

The Meaning Behind the Rituals: Many of the Rituals in Indian Weddings Have Symbolic Meaning.

 

1. Greeting the Bride

In India, the groom greets his bride at the door of her house with folded hands. He then takes her hand and walks around the courtyard three times while saying “Namaste” (I bow to you). This ritual symbolises the idea that he is bowing before her and offering respect.

 

 2. Taking Off Shoes

When the couple enters their home, they remove their shoes. This is done to ensure that no evil spirits enter the house.

 

3. Cutting the Wedding Cake

After the wedding cake is cut, everyone eats some of the cake. This is symbolic of sharing the joy of the wedding day with those who could not attend.

 

4. Washing Hands

 Before eating any food, guests wash their hands. This is done to cleanse themselves and to show that they have no ill intentions toward anyone else.

 

5. Sharing Food

Guests eat together and share sweets. This is meant to bring good luck to the newlyweds.

 

6. Lighting Diya

A Diya is a unique lamp that is lit after the wedding ceremony. It represents the union between the bride and groom and brings prosperity to them.

 

7. Flower Arrangements

Flowers are arranged throughout the room where the wedding took place. These flowers represent the beauty of the bride and groom.

 

The Most Common Rituals: Several Rituals Are Common in Most Indian Weddings.

Several traditional rituals are every day at most Indian weddings. Let's take a look at some of the most common ones.

One of the most important is the mehndi ceremony, where the bride's hands and feet are decorated with henna. This is often done a few days before the wedding and is said to bring good luck to the bride.

Another popular ritual is the Saptapadi or seven steps. The bride and groom take this as they walk around a sacred fire, pledging their love and commitment to each other.

As part of the wedding ceremony, the groom typically applies a tilak—a forehead decoration—to the bride. And after the wedding is over, the bride and groom often exchange garlands of flowers as a symbol of their love and unity.

 

The Regional Variations: Indian Weddings Vary Slightly Depending on the Region.

1. The wedding rituals vary slightly depending on the region. In some areas, the groom's family will pay for the wedding expenses, while in others, the bride's side pays for them.

2. In some regions, people do not eat before the wedding ceremony, while in others they do.

3. The wedding meal varies slightly depending on the region but is always a feast.

4. Wedding ceremonies may last anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours.

5. In some regions, couples exchange rings after the ceremony, while in others, they exchange their vows at the reception.

6. People in some regions wear white clothes on the day of the wedding, while in others, they wear coloured clothing.

7. In some regions, guests bring gifts for the newlyweds, while in others, no gifts are given.

8. In some regions, only close friends and relatives attend the wedding, while in other regions, everyone attends.

9. Modern ones in many regions have replaced traditional weddings.

10. In some regions, men and women sit separately, while in others, both sit together.

11. In some regions, bridesmaids and groomsmen stand behind the bride and groom.

12. In some regions, a ring bearer carries the bride's train, while in others, he wears a crown.

13. In some regions, wedding cakes are cut by the bride and groom, while in others, it is done by the best man.

14. In some regions, parents give away the bride and groom, while in others, a relative does it.

 

Conclusion

Indian weddings are full of rituals and traditions. One has a special meaning, and together they make up one of the most beautiful ceremonies in the world.

If you're getting married in India or just curious about what happens during an Indian wedding, read on for a breakdown of the most common rituals.