Do you know what to expect at a Hindu wedding?

Vicky Choy, Owner of Event Accomplished, does.

As a Wedding Planner in Washington, D.C., Vicky Choy has had the pleasure of planning several Hindu weddings. Today, as a Survive Wedding Season™ Wedding Survival Expert, Vicky shares with us what we are likely to experience when we participate in a Hindu wedding:

One of the perks of being a wedding planner is being exposed to different cultures and religions and to see how these are manifested through wedding rituals. If you have never attended an Indian wedding, here is a quick tutorial on what to expect. Note though that some rituals are performed with close family only in private.

Overview of the Wedding Day:

From the Indian/Hindu weddings we have coordinated over the years, the festivities usually begin with the Sangeet the night before which is characterized by lots of singing and dancing. Then on wedding day, if you are invited to all the festivities, be prepared for a very long day. Sometimes the hosts will begin the day by providing breakfast. Following breakfast is usually the ceremony (see below). After the ceremony, lunch may also be provided. Guests and wedding parties then usually change into evening attire. A regular reception then follows into the wee hours.

Length:

Hindu ceremonies tend to last between two to three hours as there are many parts to the ceremonies themselves. I have discovered that the length varies as different regions within Indian have variations on the specific ceremony rituals. Different Hindu priests also contribute to the variation in length. Arrive early if you want to see the groom and his party (families and friends) arrive at the ceremony site. Called a Baraat, some grooms arrive in style on a horse while his party sing and dance. The bride’s parents, family and friends greet them.

Dress code:

Guests who are Indian will likely be wearing their traditional attire. It is perfectly acceptable to wear formal attire as you would to any wedding.

Ceremony:

Whereas Christian ceremonies tend to focus more on the couple, most Asian cultures focus on the joining of two families and Indian/Hindu weddings are no exception. You will see that both sets of parents are more involved during the ceremony than in Christian ceremonies. The wedding ceremony takes place under a mandap, similar to a chuppah in Jewish weddings.

You will notice that drinks and snacks are usually provided and guests are welcome to get up and enjoy the refreshment. As compared to Christian ceremonies, Hindu ceremonies tend to be less rigid and guests don’t typically sit still for two to three hours. To guide you, most couples will provide a fairly detailed ceremony program for you to follow along. While each ceremony will vary a bit from the following, the descriptions below will give you a general idea of the typical components of a Hindu ceremony:

Ganesh Pooja/Puja:

The ceremony begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesh, or Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god to seek his blessing.

Jaimala/Jaymala:

The bride and groom welcome each other by exchanging garlands.

Punyah Vachanam:

Prayers are offered to God seeking purification of the mind and body.

Kanyadan:

Giving away of the bride. The bride is often led to the mandap by a brother or uncle, where the groom waits with the bride’s parents. The bride’s parents offer their daughter in marriage in a ritual called Kanyadan.

Ganthbandhan:

Tying of the knot. The ends of the bride and groom’s garments are tied together symbolizing their union, happiness, fertility, prosperity and longevity.

Mangalsutra and Sindoor/Sindur:

The groom adorns his bride with a sacred gold necklace with black beads. The original concept of the Mangalsutra was that of a black row of beads to ward of the evil eye.

The groom applies sindoor/sindur in the parting of the bride’s hair signifying that as his wife, her protection is his responsibility.

Mangal Fera/Havan/Homam/Homa:

The couple walks around the fire 4 times, offering puffed rice (possibly also ghee and flowers) to the fire, representing the four aspects of life: moral values and religion, wealth, enjoyment of life, and oneness with God. Members of the brides family may pour rice into the bride’s hands, half of which slips into the groom’s hand.

Seven Steps/Saptapadi:

The bride and groom take seven vows and seven steps together, making them eternal partners. The vows symbolize the seven basic requirements for a happy married life. These vows validate the marriage; no ceremony is complete without them.

The first step is taken to earn and provide a living for their household or family, and avoiding those things that might harm them.

The second step is taken to build their physical, mental and spiritual powers and to lead a healthy lifestyle.

The third step is taken to earn and increase their wealth by righteous and proper means.

The fourth step is taken to acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony by mutual love, respect, understanding and faith.

The fifth step is taken to have children for whom they will be responsible and blessed with healthy, righteous and brave children.

The sixth step is taken for self-control and longevity.

The seventh step is taken to be true to each other, loyal and remain life-long companions by this wedlock.

Exchange of Rings:

Couples will exchange rings as you would see in any wedding ceremony.

Ashirvaada:

Concluding the ceremony, the guests shower the bride and groom with rice and flower petals to bless them.

To read more tips by Vicky Choy, click here. Feel free to post questions for Vicky in our comments section below.

Related topics:

1. To Bring A Date Or Not To Bring A Dateby Vicky Choy
2. What To Expect At An Interfaith Wedding by Cantor Debbi Ballard
3. Expert Survival Tip: What To Expect At A Rehearsal Dinner by Kathy Goodman
4. Planning An Unforgettable Bachelorette Party & Bridal Shower by Kristin Kendall
5. Stick To Your Gut! Be A Great Bridesmaid! by Ariane Goldman
6. How To Not Attend A Wedding   

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Tags: Hindu Wedding Rituals, How To Survive Wedding Season, Vicky Choy, Washington DC Wedding Planner, Wedding Etiquette

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