Hindu Traditions You Witness At Every Indian Wedding

Hindu weddings are culture-rich festivities, typically celebrated for three or more days. They are traditionally bright, colorful, and full of excitement and happiness. It’s not wrong to say that most of them are big, fat weddings, where families of bride and groom spare no penny on different ceremonies that are part of the wedding.

Indian weddings are special for everyone because marriages are a union of two people, according to Hindu beliefs. They say the eternal bond between the bride and groom is made in heaven, lasting for seven lifetimes. That’s why rituals and traditions are sacred and hold spiritual and emotional significance in Indian weddings.

If you have always been intrigued by Indian marriage and its rituals, the following are a few traditions worth knowing about:

Sangeet is a get-together before the wedding

A day or two before the wedding, extended families and friends of the bride and groom gather for the sangeet ceremony. They sing folk songs and perform traditional dances depending on the regional background. To make the ceremony even more happening, family members of both sides give full-blown performances, engaging in a fun, healthy competition during the celebration.

Mehndi is the beginning of the wedding ceremony

The mehndi ceremony typically takes place on the day of Sangeet when family members and friends arrive at the venue for the celebration. Professionals draw intricate designs on the bride’s hands and feet with henna paste. It’s essential to hide the partner’s name within floral motifs in many cultures. Later, the groom tries to find his name. It’s also believed that the color of the henna reflects how strong the bond between two souls will be.

Red is an auspicious color

Brides always wear red for the wedding ceremony in Hindu marriages. While bright red is favorable, birds choose from different hues of red when looking for a wedding dress, typically a saree or lehenga. Indian wedding dresses mostly have golden embroidery, symbolizing a commitment to the partner for a lifetime.

The groom arrives in style

The groom’s arrival is one of the most exciting parts of Indian weddings. Depending on the region, the baraat arrives at the bride’s door with loud musical instruments and firecrackers, letting everyone know he has arrived to take the bride home. The bride’s parents and family members celebrate the groom and his family members and friends with an arati, a plate with a lit lamp and tilak, and garlands.

The father of the bride literally gives away the bride

After a small pooja performed by the pandit and the groom, the bride is led to the ceremony by her brothers. The bride’s father gives her away during a ceremony, kanyadaan, which means giving away the daughter to the groom. It’s believed the groom cannot take her away unless her father offers her. The father places his daughter’s hand on the groom’s hand, which is a gesture of giving the bride to the soon-to-be husband.
Hindu weddings are full of rituals and mini ceremonies. The more you read about them, the more you learn about Indian marriage and the culture, and how emotional and delightful all the ceremonies are.