
Wedding in Indian states are the representations of magnificent grandeur, pomp and several rites and rituals. A wedding is a ritual that celebrates the beginning of a marriage or civil union. Wedding traditions and customs greatly vary between cultures, countries, religions, ethnic groups, and social classes. In some countries, cultures and religions, the real act of marriage begins during the actual wedding ceremony. In other customs, the legal act of marriage occurs during the time of signing the marriage license or other legal document, and the wedding is then an opportunity to perform a traditional ritual and celebrate with friends and family.
The
history of Indian wedding has been spanning from the time of ancient days till the contemporary days. The Wedding in ancient India had a different scenario all together from what we see now. In the ancient India, especially in Hindu marriages, there are certain references of polygamy and polyandry for political as well as social reasons, they are considered criminal offenses today. The earliest form of marriages in India was the Weddings in the
Vedic period.
Classification of marriages talks about the love and arrange marriages that have been remaining important thing to be considered in Indian marriages. Indian Culture though now looks predominantly favoring arranged marriages restricted to the parents of the groom and the bride to choose and decide the right match, it is also seen that love marriages and arranged love marriages prevail in India since ancient times. Nearly all-Indian epics talk of love at first sight and love marriages where a bride herself chooses a match for herself. Also there prevail arranged love marriages in those stories where the man and the woman fall in love with each other by listening to mere references or stories of each other. However, these unions have been called separate names in Indian history like `swayamwara`, it is believed that love marriages have started taking place in India only after British rule which is predominantly featured in Indian movie cultures.
Indian marriage customs are diversifies due to the fact that India is a land of diverse culture and religion. Every region of the country has its own unique way of celebrating their marriage. Be it east, west, north and south all the four regions have its own wedding customs and rituals. Marriages in India are not just coming together of two individuals and exchange of vows and rings, but it marks the bonding of two souls, two families, their culture and their communities. Indian wedding is not an affair of few hours but it is a matter of several eventful days. All the family members and friends get together for the celebration.
Traditional games in Indian weddings play an important part in Indian marriages. The traditional games in the Indian weddings play the vital role of making the grave marriage atmosphere light and enjoyable through small yet interesting games. These games have eventually become customs in most of the regional marriage systems.
Indian religious weddings are performed because India is the land of different religions and every religion has their own distinctness in the list of rites and rituals. Marriage rituals differ in India, according to their religion and sect. For instance the Sikh, Sindhi, Parsi, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian and many other religious groups dwell in India and thus have different marriage styles. The different rituals, norms and celebrations bring a feeling of integrity yet a dissimilar way of accepting the new member in the family.
Steps in an Indian marriage ceremony cover almost all the colors of enjoyment, merriment and also rituals. A traditional Indian wedding ceremony is a very complex one with abundance of rituals. The shades of a marriage ceremony varied greatly due to factors like region and language. The modern couples often make up custom weddings and thus highlight the meaningful and special traditions of their Indian heritage.
The wedding decorations in India play a prime part in the arrangements of the grand event. The decorations depend on the preference and budget of the hosts. However, today most of the wedding decorations are done by the designers and wedding planners. The
Hindu Wedding Decorations mainly include
Sagan Decorations,
Engagement Decorations,
Mehendi Decorations,
Wedding Stage Decorations,
Sangeet Decorations,
Mandap Decorations and
Car Decorations.
There are different kinds of Indian wedding performed in different region of India. The kinds of weddings in India are varied because of its vast, multiracial population and the different regions of the country. The
Arya Samaj Weddings, North Indian Weddings, South Indian Weddings, West Indian Weddings, East India Weddings are dissimilar in their rituals, decorations and thus brings about many more colors in the event of wedding.
Wedding in Indian states are performed in different ways following different rituals as per their customs. As per the Vedas, a person after the completion of his student life should enter the second stage of life, that is, the Grihastha or life of a householder. Different types of marriages are prevalent in India and with the distinctness of the culture, tradition and customs, marriages are performed. In the Kashmiri wedding, pre wedding rituals like Livun and Wanwun, Maanziraat Ceremony, Devgon and Duribat are celebrated. The
Kashmiri wedding follow some Hindu rituals of marriage followed by Vidai ceremony and the welcoming of new wedded couple. Some post marriage rituals take place after the wedding. These are Satraat Ceremony, Phirlath Ceremony, Roth Khabar etc which are performed after the wedding is over. Among the Bengalis pre-wedding customs are maintained like Adan Pradan, Aashirwad, Vridhi Puja, Dodhi Mangal, Gaye Holud, Adhibash etc that are performed with much interest and merriment. After these pre marriage rituals,
Bengali wedding includes ceremonials like welcoming the groom, shubho drishti ritual, mala badal ceremony, saat paak and sampradhan are performed during the marriage. After marriage rituals like bidaai, basar ghar, bashi biye, bou baran, bahubhaat, kaal ratri, dira gaman, phool shojja are performed in Bengali traditional marriage.
Maharashtrian wedding is performed pompously and enjoyed by the kiths and kins of the bride and bridegroom. The Maharashtrian wedding too includes some pre and post marriage rituals namely Sakhar Puda, Kelvan, Simant Puja, Halad Chadavane and Seemaan Pooja are performed as pre marriage rituals and Reception Party, Changing the Bride`s Name, Varat, Grihapravesh, Suun Mukh Baghne, Tond Dhune and Vyahi Bhet are considered as post marriage rituals in Maharashtrian wedding. The marriage includes customs like Antarpaat, Laxmi Narayan Puja and Jhal Phirawne. In the Southern part of India, in
Tamil Nadu,
Tamil wedding is performed with some pre marriage rituals like Panda Kaal Muhurtham, Receiving the Groom, Vratham and Pallikai Thellichal, Naandi and Jaanavaasam, Nicchiyadharatham, Reading of Lagna Pathirigai etc, Mangala Snaanam and Kashi Yatra, exchange of garlands and Oonjal, Kanyadaanam and Muhurtham and Saptapadi are performed during marriage. Some post marriage rituals like Sammandhi Mariyathai, Laaja Homam and Paaladaanam Custom, Grihapravesham are followed by the reception party for the newly married couple. Likewise marriages of other states like
Malayalee Wedding,
Marwari Wedding,
Punjabi Wedding,
Oriya Wedding,
Manipuri Wedding,
Maratha Wedding,
Telegu Wedding,
Kannada Wedding,
Rajput Wedding,
Maithil Brahmin Wedding follow some basic rites and rituals along with pre and post marriage rituals. These marriages are enjoyed with great pleasure and much grandiosity.
Indian Marriage Acts are sanctioned by the law and the marriages are made legal in India by signing the marriage acts. The Hindus follow the
Hindu Marriage Act, while the
Special Marriage Act is for everyone. The
Marriage Laws in India have special significance, since they give the unification a legal entity. The Muslims follow the
Muslim Marriage Act.
Marriages in Indian villages have a different charm and beauty. The simple rituals reflect affection ad love among the families and relatives. Though there is no extravagance but the enjoyment is never compromised.
Indian Wedding feasts are different in different regions of the country. The northern India marriages bring about Punjabi recipes, while western Indian marriages are affluent with Gujarati and Rajasthani dishes. Similarly the marriages in Southern and eastern India, the delicacies famous there are served in the wedding feasts.
Indian Wedding accessories are of ample importance as any Indian wedding remains incomplete without its primary necessities and accessories like
Wedding Music,
Wedding Songs,
Bridal Jewelry, and
Bridal Make Up.
Traditional Indian wedding dresses include the bridal dresses and the groom`s wear that have become a special point to be kept in mind. The dresses and appearances of the couple are specially taken care of on this big day. The
Bridal Lehenga,
Bridal Accessories and
Bridal Sarees are available in different patterns and styles across several stores of the cities.
(Last Updated on : 23/10/2009)