
Indian Hindu Customary Ceremonies are the vital rituals or sanskars of this religion that not only binds the harmony of the sect but also reflects the in-depth culture of the Hindus. The customary ceremonies of the Hindus are some of the rites that depict the rich cultural facet of India.
The Indian Hindu customary ceremonies bring about its majestic beliefs and ideas, related to religious concepts to its followers. The Vedas, the Upanishads, or the Aryans in
Indus Valley Civilization for the first time had followed the Indian Hindu customary ceremonies and laid them down in the religious scriptures, which are being followed till date. These Indian Hindu customary ceremonies aim at manifesting educational and intellectual improvements in the society.
With passage of time,
Hinduism has come down as the most prevailing religion in India and also the most synonymous. Indian Hindu customary ceremonies initially were festivities amongst the highest section of society, with the religious volumes laying down four divisions in caste system: the
Brahmans, the
Kshatriyas, the
Vaishyas and the Shudras.
Hinduism had flourished much, even since its conception in India. This religion opens its wings to one and all. The Hindu Brahmans or the pandits were the ones who knew details of Indian Hindu customary ceremonies and thus performed the Yajnas. The Indian Hindu customary ceremonies commenced from the very birth, ending in death of an individual. Jatakarma is the first customary Hindu ceremony in India to usher in the child into a family. Simantonnayana is a ritualistic Hindu ceremony, dedicated to the mother in her fourth month of pregnancy, to protect her and her child from evil spirits.
Annaprashana is one of the Indian Hindu customary ceremonies that introduce a cereal diet in the child`s life. Chudakarma ceremony or shaving of the hair of a child is also known by several other names like Mundan, Thread Ceremony and soon. Karnavedha is the ritualistic Hindu ceremony of piercing the nose or ear lobe of a child in third or fifth year, before growth of a child`s teeth. Nishkraman is one if the Indian Hindu customary ceremonies, which necessitates the child to be taken out into the basking sun and fresh air and flora.
Upanayana is one of the major Indian Hindu customary ceremonies that initiate the Brahman boy into the Brahmacharya Ashrama, where his guru teaches him the essentials of weaponry, Vedas and Upanishads.
Vedrambha is a similar ritual introducing the child to the world of four Vedic scriptures.
Samavartana is a significant stage in a child`s life, where he is ending his
Brahmacharya stage, to entering into married life.
The matrimonial stage forms an integral episode in Indian Hindu customary ceremonies. The wedding ritual of the Hindus further possesses umpteen rituals prior and post-marriage. The wife concerned and her husband are required to go through several religious phases. Lastly comes the stage of death, shraddha, niyam bhanga and barsik puja are the customary Indian Hindu customary ceremonies practiced after death and during cremation.
The Indian Hindu customary ceremonies have become closely associated with the regular routine of the Hindus. The major ceremonies are celebrated amidst festivities, but the customary pujas like Narayan
Puja, Ishta Devata Puja and fasting periods of the Hindus like
Durgashtami,
Saraswati Puja, Ambubachi and
Purnima are performed like a regular practice.
(Last Updated on : 19/04/2013)