Hindu Wedding Essentials to know
Mehndi (pre-wedding)
Mehndi is a traditional part of many cultures’ wedding ceremonies. In Hindu weddings, the bride’s hands and feet are decorated with mehndi, and the darker the stain, the more love the bride is said to receive from her husband
Ladies Sangeet
A ladies sangeet is a pre-wedding celebration in Hindu weddings that is typically held for the bride and her female relatives and friends. The word “sangeet” means “music” in Hindi, and the ladies sangeet is a time for the women to sing, dance, and celebrate the bride’s upcoming wedding.
Jaan
The jaan arrival typically begins with the groom and his family and friends gathering at his parents home. The groom is dressed in traditional Indian wedding attire. Prayers are said for deceased family members and for the Hindu gods. Groom, family and friends travel to the wedding venue. The jaan arrival is a significant part of the Hindu wedding ceremony. It symbolizes the groom’s journey to his new life with his bride.
Mandip
A mandap is a temporary structure that is used for the Hindu wedding ceremony It is typically a raised platform with a roof, and it is often decorated with flowers, fabric, and lights. The mandap is the focal point of the wedding ceremony, and it is where the bride and groom exchange vows.
Puja (prayers)
The puja is a prayer ceremony that is performed at the beginning of the wedding ceremony. The couple offers prayers to the gods and goddesses, asking for their blessings on their marriage.
Sankalp (intention)
The couple makes their intentions clear, stating that they are entering into the marriage of their own free will and that they will love, honor, and respect each other for the rest of their lives.
Kanyadana (giving away of the bride)
The kanyadana is a ritual in which the bride’s father gives her away to the groom. This ritual symbolizes the father’s blessing on the marriage and his willingness to let his daughter go.
Panigrahana (holding of hands)
Panigrahana is a Hindu wedding ritual that is performed during the main ceremony. It is a Sanskrit word that means “holding of the hands.” In the Panigrahana ritual, the groom and bride hold hands in front of the sacred fire, symbolizing their union and commitment to each other. The Panigrahana ritual is typically performed after the bride and groom have exchanged vows. The groom and bride stand facing each other, and the priest ties their hands together with a sacred thread. The priest then leads the couple around the sacred fire seven times, symbolizing their journey together as husband and wife.
Saptapadi (seven steps)
The saptapadi is a ritual in which the couple takes seven steps around the sacred fire. Each step represents a different promise that the couple makes to each other.
Sindoor (vermilion powder)
Sindoor is a red-orange powder that is applied to the hair parting of married Hindu women. It is a symbol of the woman’s marital status and her husband’s love and protection.In Hindu mythology, sindoor is said to represent the goddess Parvati, who is the wife of the god Shiva. Parvati is often depicted wearing sindoor, and it is said to represent her marital status and her devotion to Shiva.
The application of sindoor is a significant part of the Hindu wedding ceremony. The groom applies sindoor to the bride’s hair parting, symbolizing his acceptance of her as his wife and his promise to protect her.
Reception
I have added a bonus step. The ceremony is followed by reception where the couple and their guests celebrate their new union of families. Lots of food, drink and dancing