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