Indian Weddings
Rajni Sheth
September 21, 2008
India is a country of many cultures and religions. Though cosmopolitan, there is a certain ritualistic distinction in each religion. The weddings also differ in each part of the state. The effects of migration and modernization have influenced weddings to a great extent. The most interesting part of Indian weddings is about the feast, rituals and the marriage songs. Marriages seem incomplete without the blessings of elders in the family. The parents of the bride and groom have a very important role to play in all Indian weddings.
Indian bridal wear is region-specific. Like the Mahrashtrians wear a navarri or a yellow sari for the wedding complete with the hair accessories and flower adornments. The Punjabi bride is beautiful in her red salwar kameez which is tailored in a traditional way and the dupatta is pinned over the head. There is great magic in the Banarasi silks worn by the North Indian bride complete with alta (red color) on her hands and feet. The mehendi or henna tattoo is almost compulsory for Hindus and Muslims.
Flowers also seem important in Indian weddings. The weddings also necessitate an exchange of garlands between the bride and groom. The black beads in gold signify the mangalsutra which the groom ties around the neck of the bride. The sindoor or adornment of vermilion on the forehead is also a symbol of marriage. The bride and groom take seven pheras circling over the holy fire which is representative of seven future lives in matrimony.
Weddings are also about receiving guests and making their stay comfortable. There are elaborate arrangements made for the comfort of guests. Cuisine is very much related to the state. The wedding feast is usually a lavish spread of delicacies including cooked, roasted and fried varieties. There is an array of sweet dishes to choose from like rabdi, rasgollas, payas, kheer or vermicelli sevaiyya. The south Indian feast is a great spread on plantain leaves and is almost a five course meal. North Indian cuisines are rich in their taste and pure ghee is relished by all.
Song and dance are very much important in an Indian wedding where participation is compulsory. There is enough merriment and poetry sessions. All Indian weddings have an emotional tone when the bride leaves her maternal home to be with her husband.
Find more information about festivals in India.
Indian bridal wear is region-specific. Like the Mahrashtrians wear a navarri or a yellow sari for the wedding complete with the hair accessories and flower adornments. The Punjabi bride is beautiful in her red salwar kameez which is tailored in a traditional way and the dupatta is pinned over the head. There is great magic in the Banarasi silks worn by the North Indian bride complete with alta (red color) on her hands and feet. The mehendi or henna tattoo is almost compulsory for Hindus and Muslims.
Flowers also seem important in Indian weddings. The weddings also necessitate an exchange of garlands between the bride and groom. The black beads in gold signify the mangalsutra which the groom ties around the neck of the bride. The sindoor or adornment of vermilion on the forehead is also a symbol of marriage. The bride and groom take seven pheras circling over the holy fire which is representative of seven future lives in matrimony.
Weddings are also about receiving guests and making their stay comfortable. There are elaborate arrangements made for the comfort of guests. Cuisine is very much related to the state. The wedding feast is usually a lavish spread of delicacies including cooked, roasted and fried varieties. There is an array of sweet dishes to choose from like rabdi, rasgollas, payas, kheer or vermicelli sevaiyya. The south Indian feast is a great spread on plantain leaves and is almost a five course meal. North Indian cuisines are rich in their taste and pure ghee is relished by all.
Song and dance are very much important in an Indian wedding where participation is compulsory. There is enough merriment and poetry sessions. All Indian weddings have an emotional tone when the bride leaves her maternal home to be with her husband.
Find more information about festivals in India.
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