About marriage

Marriage is a social relationship between wife and husband with lifelong commitment marriages is a permanent relationship  which combines  two souls and unites  two families.

Marriage brings family whom we love, play, care and maintain a strong understanding with one another marriage is a universal legal relation between men and women and marriage is a foundation of the family and society.It gives couples the tools and to protect their families  and the security to build a life together.

Marriage is a sacred and purest bond shared by groom and the bride that no human separate them. It’s only death!! 

 There are various kinds of marriages in India and each kind has its own value. In this blog, I will briefly explain three types of Indian traditional marriages and how they are organized.

Indian Hindu marriages

                                          Hindu marriages

Engagement:-

The first step in Marriage is Engagement. The engagement is organized by bride family and only close relations and neighbors  will attend the function.On this day priest will fix the marriage date by looking date of birth and astrology of both bride and groom. During  engagement bride and groom will exchange garland.They believe that these rings will help them stay together throughout the life.After this event both bride and groom family will print invitation cards.

On this event groom parents will give gifts and jewelries to bride. Friends and families are invited with  Invitation cards for the marriage from bride and groom families.

Pre-wedding  ceremony (Bride Shower):-

 There is another small event which is said to be bride shower.

For this event only women’s are allowed. In this occasion bride undergoes   turmeric and sandalwood bath. Mehindi ceremony is a pre-marriage function where bride is decorated with artist henna designs on her hand and feet which is held in grooms house. On this ceremony only women are allowed and they arrange various activities like singing, dancing, games etc. everyone participates and have much fun together.

 Marriage ceremony :-

In the 19th century marriage celebrations will be done up to 16-20 days. Now a days marriage last for 5 to 6 days and it also depends on financial background of the family. Marriage is main part of life marriage is held in pavilion/big function hall or marriage stage called as "Mandapam" and some marriages will done in temples in front of god. The function hall or marriage stage (Mandapam) will decorate with fresh colorful flowers and Indian traditional musical instrument  will play in background mostly in telugu marriages. Decoration are carried out with mango leaves with is considered as sacred.

On this day all peoples are invited to marriage nearly 500-2000 peoples will attended marriage from both bride and groom side family depends on family background.

Bride And  groom will wear traditional dress for marriage. Bride will wear red or yellow traditional saree with jewels. On this ceremony bride and the groom are united and become the husband and wife as per the Hindu Law. In this event, the groom ties "Mangala Sutram"(the scared yellow thread smeared with turmeric paste) round the bride's neck and ties three knots and at this time play traditional music background(sannai melam) and blessings by the elders with 'akshantalu'

References :-

1) http://www.andhra-telugu.com/files/Bhakti/Miscellaneous/Telugu%20Wedding%20Ceremony.pdf
2)http://www.chivukulas.com/2014/04/traditional-telugu-brahmin-marriage.html

Indian Muslim Marriages

                            Muslim Marriages :-

Muslim marriage is additionally know as Islamic wedding

In Islam Polygny(one man can marry more than one wife) is permitted with specific limitations. Polyandry (one women won’t have more than one husband) is not permitted in Islam which is said in Quran. More people will follow these polygny practice and it is accepted in many Muslim countries like Turkey.

Rules for ladies in Muslim religion are more restricted compare to men  i.e man can marry non-muslim women but women’s are not allowed to marry non-muslim men’s.  

 Both men and women from muslim background will be guided by Islamic and Quran law(Muslim bible). 

Engagement:-

The religions heads to the muslim group to meet and  implore  allah(god) as a  gift for wedding .

In this day the grooms mother visits the brides house bearing sweets and a gold or silver coins that is wrapped in silk saree. she ties this material around the brides hand .

During the ceremony  bride  and groom will exchange there rings . Both the families will exchange sweets and gifts during the function.

Mehindi ceremony is a pre-marriage function where bride is decorated with artist henna designs on her hand and feet which is held in groom's house.

grooms family will send cloths and gold ornaments for bride which she have to wear for the ceremony.

Marriage/Nikah:-

 Wedding ceremony is also know as Nikaha in there language .

The muslim wedding ceremony is conducted in the presences of religion priest and  close relatives from both sides with religious traditions.

Groom and bride will have separately seating at the marriage. Priest will do prayer from the Quran.

Priest will ask the lady whether she completely agrees to marry groom and this is asked thrice. The priest will ask the same to the groom and this is know as proposal of acceptance. This is followed by the signing of the marriage contract by the couples signing in the marriage contract by both groom and bride.

Grooms father will hand over  his daughter to the groom  know as kanya-dhan.

After getting Married both couples will seated together

After marriage ceremony the bride is brought to the place of her groom , where she is invited by her relative. who holds a book named Quran in her hand 

Reception:-

Wedding reception hosted by grooms family.

 The brides family respects the barat(wedding party) with welcome beverages and blessings. The man of the hour then imparts a glass of sherbhat (a sweetened beverage ) with the groom.

References:--


1) http://easyday.snydle.com/muslim-wedding-traditions.html
2) http://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/sacred-rituals-of-an-indian-muslim-wedding-1825

Indian Christian marraiges

                                                Christian Marriages :-

A Indian chirstain marriages will be held in Church.

Engagement:-

Engagement is first step of the marriage.

Engagement is for to fix the marriage date in the presences of priest and introducing bride and grooms to close relatives and family members from both families.

Pre-Wedding (Brides shower):-

Before marriage day there is a another small ceremony in bride house is know as bride shower . It is conducted by brides family, in this ceremony only women are allowed, on this they will do fun filled by playing games and singing.

In this ceremony turmeric, sandalwood and coconut powder is applied to brides and followed by bath.

And mehandi  will put on bride  hand with different and beautiful designs.

Bachelors party:-

This party is conducted by grooms side they will arrange bachelors party because grooms last night as a bachelor.

Wedding Ceremony :- 

Indian Christian marriages will held in church.

Church will be decorated with beautiful and colorful flowers which is in rich color. On wedding day bride will wear white dress with covering her face and groom will wear suit. On marriage day groom will arrive  church first and he will wait for bride . Groom will send the car to pick the bride. Bride will arrives at the wedding venue in a car which is sent by groom. Groom should have to receive the bride by welcoming with flowers.

  

Then Priest will welcome the couples with greetings to couples at the door of the church.

Bride and groom will walk slowly to the where priest stands then priest will give blessing and wedding will begin with song of praised reading from bible and then they will exchange the rings in front of priest and parents and then priest will inform and declares that as a wife and husband and  last formality  both couples will do signature in the marriage contract register .

Reception :-

After wedding Indian Christian will arrange the reception party which is hosted by grooms family to inform to people that they got married .

On this day they will cut cake and all peoples will celebrate this day by dancing and singing and followed by dinner party

References :-

http://www.gingerevents.com/weddings/traditional_weddings/christian_wedding.html

                  

                         Divorce rate is low in India compare to other countries.