A Traditional Hindu Wedding

A Traditional Hindu Wedding Ceremony

I have filmed many Indian weddings in and around Brisbane  Traditional Hindu Wedding ceremonies are the same. Families can live in the same street but the traditional they hold could be very different

Traditional Hindu Wedding Ceremony Part 1

Baarath-Swagatham (Reception) 
The Bride’s family welcomes Groom and his family at the entrance of the wedding hall. Garlands are exchanged among the family members to signify the acceptance of each other and as a sign of hospitality. Bride’s mother performs rituals to ward off evil spirits surrounding Groom. She performs ‘Aarathi’ in front of Groom’s face, applies Sindoor on his forehead and feeds him a piece of sweet. The Groom is then led to the Mantap (altar) by Bride’s parents.

Vara-Pooja and Madhuparka (Welcoming Groom) 
Bride’s parents offer a drink and gifts. They also give him a Janov (Holy-Thread). Both families exchange the Groom’s and Bride’s gifts (ceremonial dress)

Kashi Yatra
Kashi Yatra ritual is a traditional event where the groom pretends to leave for Kashi to gain more knowledge and become a saint instead of entering the Grihastha Ashrama (married life) but is lured back by the bride’s family to get married. Usually, held before the ‘Muhurtham’ this case of conviction leads to a merry chase around the venue while everyone else enjoys a hearty laugh. He’s then brought back to the Mandap, to pick up his new set of vows and stride into his new life ahead. So, how does a groom-to-be declare he’s off on a Kashi Yatra? He begins by packing his essentials according to custom. These include an umbrella (for the heat and rains), coconuts (as a snack on the way), some rice, a walking stick and a
spare Dhoti.

The ‘Kashi Yatra’ stems from the four stages of life as per the laws of Manu, specifically the Brahmacharya Ashram. It relates to how a man contemplates on the wider universe, seeking knowledge and wisdom ahead of his duties for the Grihastha Ashram. The ceremony involves harking back to this custom of a trip to a Guru’s abode during that stage. Kashi was historically a focus for higher education and studies, as well as religious and spiritual understanding. A trip to Kashi is a trip to partake from that wisdom. (Kashi has been a cultural centre of northern India for several thousand years, and is closely associated with the Ganges.

Hindus believe that dying here and getting cremated along the banks of the holy Ganges river allows one to break the cycle of rebirth and attain moksha, making it a major centre for pilgrimage) As he gets a case of pre-wedding jitters, he decides to leave it all behind and run towards eternal bachelorhood before he’s talked into some sense by the bride’s father and uncles. Then comes the declaration, at which point he’s stopped and dissuaded from the thought.

❖ Groom wears yellow dhoti
❖ Turmeric, Kumkum, Akshathe, Bhakshanu, Fruits are kept ready on trays
❖ Mirror, Comb, Soap, Powder, Coconut oil, Kaajal – Karina combs Akhil and shows him the mirror after
‘dishti’ dot
❖ Malabar Towel – rice, turmeric stick, betel nut, betel leaf – make a knot in the towel and tied to Akhil’s right
shoulder

1. Akhil holds Bhagavad Gita book, walking stick, wears slippers and umbrella by Toby – Akhil heads towards the Swing
2. Ladies follow Akhil with Turmeric, Kumkum, Akshathe, Bhakshanu, Fruits
3. Akhil feet on Brass Plate – Michael pours water on Akhil’s feet and requests to marry my daughter (Yana).
4. Yana gets garlands and joins Akhil – and both exchange garlands (three times), then both are made to seat on the swing.
5. Now the 5-ladies – with 5-types of rice Plain rice, Turmeric rice, Red (Kumkum) rice, Sweet (pongal) rice, and Salt (pongal) rice;
6. Ladies now take ‘drishti’ to ward off evil’s eye in all directions – North, East, South and West.
7. Ladies will then perform Aarathi along with the following;
a. Remainder rice
b. Two lamps in each Vessel
c. Water
d. Water with 2 spoons milk
e. Kumkum water
With this Akhil and Yana are led to the stage – Yogashree holding Yana and Karina holding Akhi

Nischya-Thambula and Vagdaana (Conformation and Commitment by both families)

Parents and elders from Bride’s and Groom’s family seek blessings from their ancestors (Grand-Father & Great-Grand-Father) for a happy and productive married life for their children. They exchange Thambula Pan-Patha and fruits. Both families promise each other that they will accept and treat the newly wedded couple as their own children without any discrimination.

Guru, Ganesh and Navagraha Pooja (Prayer to Gods)

Bride and Groom are given Pavithra by Purohith-ji and they offer prayers to Guru (the Spiritual Teacher) for the blessing of knowledge; to Lord Ganesh (the elephant-headed God) for the blessing of happiness and protection; and to Navagraha (the nine planets) for the blessing of a prosperous married life.

Traditional Hindu Wedding Ceremony Part 2