Marriage traditions in India.
The words of the bride and groom will move you…
The wedding traditions in India are many and varied, in the enormous variety of customs and traditions of the subcontinent, but certainly, the wedding is everywhere a very important ceremony, colorful and full of charm.
The Hindu wedding is called Vivaha and usually takes place in Sanskrit. The event may be preceded and followed by other celebrations and festivities, even over several days.
During the ritual 3 symbolic moments are distinguished:
- Kanyadaan: The bride says goodbye to father
- Panigrahana: The bride and groom place their hands near the sacred fire as a symbol of union
- Saptapadi: The bride and groom do seven laps around the sacred fire and exchange seven marriage vows. This gesture sanctions the actual marriage by law and tradition. In some ceremonies, the bride and groom conclude with these beautiful words:
We did the seven laps. You have become mine forever.
Yes, we’re married. I have become yours. From now on, I can’t live without you. Don’t live without me. Let’s share the joys.
We are word and meaning, united. You think, and I am the sound.
Let the night be sweet honey to us. May the morning be sweet honey to us. May the earth be sweet honey to us. May the heavens be sweet as honey to us. May the plants be sweet as honey to us. May the sun be all honey to us. May the cows produce milk sweet as honey for us.
As the heavens are stable, as the earth is stable, as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable, so may our union be, definitively
Famous for its majesty and beauty is the bride’s attire. Traditionally she is dressed in gold and red, the colour of good luck, with a long embroidered sari and her head covered as a sign of purity.
The hairstyle is a sort of braid divided into three parts to symbolize the sacred rivers of India.
Also rich in meaning are the opulent jewels that adorn the bride literally from head to toe, from the Maang Tikka on her forehead to the Payal anklet, and the Bichuas ring that married women wear on their second toe.
The golden circle at the nostril, connected with a chain to the earlobe, is called Nath.
Splendid then the Mehendi, characteristic drawings made with a mixture of henna and turmeric, which decorate the hands and feet of Indian brides.
These were just some of the wedding traditions in India, a true universe to be discovered!