Hindu religion is considered to be one of the greatest religions with regard to customs, traditions and values which it preaches. Marriage in Hinduism is considered as a sacrament and a sanskara. It is considered as a union of two souls which moves to the next life even.

The Hindu wedding is performed as per the customs and traditions of the community to which the bride and the groom belong. The wedding is not just limited to the bride and the groom but it implies the coming together of the two families and hence it assumes all the more importance.

Hindu matrimony is also called as Vivah in Hindi and Panigrahana in Sanskrit. It is solemnised in accordance with the VEDAS, the holy scriptures of the Hindu religion. Before the wedding, the parents match the kundli of the prospective bride and the groom, if it matches only then they proceed forward and fix the day and date of marriage after consulting the pundit.

Various rituals start prior to the wedding day in both the houses. A large number of guests are invited to attend and enjoy the celebration. These may include-

Mehendi ceremony- the hands and feet of the bride are decorated with Mehendi, other female relatives may also apply it.

Sangeet Sandhya- it is evening of musical entertainment where the groom’s family may invite the bride’s family for dance and songs.

In some of the Hindu marriages, few more rituals may be performed like the Ganesh Puja- the Puja is done before the marriage ceremony to take the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

Tilak –In many of the communities Tilak (red turmeric powder) which symbolizes auspiciousness and happiness is applied by the bride’s uncle, father brothers on the forehead of the groom.

On the wedding morning, various ablutionary rituals are performed on both the bride and the groom in their own homes. Their bodies are anointed with turmeric, sandalwood paste and oils, which cleanse the body, soften the skin, and make it aromatic. They are then bathed to the chanting of Vedic mantras.

The Hindu wedding itself involves the following rituals-

Baraat- the procession of the groom accompanied with his family and friends reach the marriage venue. The priest commences the marriage under a canopy that is specially decorated for the ceremony. The priest invokes blessings of God for the couple to be married.

Jaimala- the bride and the groom exchange garlands amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns by the priest.

Hathleva- in this ceremony some henna is put on the right hand of the couple and the hands are tied with a cloth. The couple then prays to God for a successful married life.

Vivah- the ritual signifies the actual marriage. The priest ties one end of the groom’s dress to that of the bride’s, the knot signifies the sacred wedlock. Both of them then move around the fire for seven times, accepting the seven oaths which are chanted by the priest.

Kanyaadan- the father of the bride pours out a libation of sacred water symbolizing the giving away of the daughter to the bride groom. The groom recites the Vedic hymns to Kama, the god of love. In return the father also takes promise from the groom that he will be with his daughter in realising the three ends of Dharma, Kama, Artha. The groom makes the promise to his father in law.

Vidaai- after the successful completion of all the above rituals, comes the most emotional ritual of Vidaai where the bride finally leaves the house of her father to be with her husband. Almost everyone showers their blessings on her and give her a tearful farewell.

In this way the Hindu matrimony is completed with much blessings and enjoyment.