Hindu wedding ceremonies vary greatly, depending on geographical location, family customs, and personal taste. Even within India, there are differences in the clothes, ornaments, rituals, food, and the length of the wedding celebrations, which in some cases can last for several days. Sometimes, the festivities are shortened if the couple, for instance, has only a limited amount of time available in India because the groom might live and work in another country. Or, as in the case of a couple I know in Canada, the Hindu rituals were shortened because the bride was Roman Catholic and the couple wished to incorporate both religions, with two different ceremonies, into a one-day celebration. There are many variations in Hindu weddings as the bride and groom select the traditional elements that hold the most meaning for them. The multi-day celebration could be reduced to one day or even a few hours. There are many rituals that take place before and after the actual wedding ceremony.
Traditionally, an auspicious date and time for the marriage ceremony would be chosen based on astrological charts. A typical Hindu wedding is more of a community party than a solemn, quiet church gathering. Guests would walk around in the temple and socialize during the ceremony. They would talk and partake of the food and beverages. Guests often would sit on the floor; however, chairs are becoming more common now.
Some of the following rituals may be incorporated into a Hindu wedding:
At a wedding ceremony, there could be a sacrificial pit where a holy fire is lit. A priest will officiate.
At some point during the ceremony, the couple may circle (seven times in most parts of India) the holy fire, chanting and throwing in offerings such as rice.
The bride and groom may exchange garlands of fresh flowers, placing them around each other's neck.
The father of the bride offers her hand in marriage first of all to the deities (in Hinduism, there is one supreme being, with all the other gods being aspects of the one God) and then to the groom, with the groom assuring him that he will take care of her.
An important part of the ceremony is "tying the knot," where a gold necklace is tied around the bride's neck by the groom.
The saptapadi portion of the ceremony is the part where the bride and groom take seven steps together toward a long and happy marriage; with each step, the couple prays for different blessings, including wealth, happiness, strength, and devotion.
At some point during the ceremony, the bride may stand on a stone (representing firmness and stability) to signify loyalty and faithfulness in the marriage.
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