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Pre - wedding ceremonies
Mandap Muhurat
The first of the auspicious ceremonies, the mantap muhurat is performed by the families of the bride and the groom in their respective homes a few days before the wedding. The families pray to Lord Ganesh to remove all obstacles. The puja is performed by an acharya or priest before a sacred fire.
Griha Shanti
It is believed that the stars and constellations exert an influence on the lives of human beings. Any disturbance in the stars can harm marital relationships and the lives of the couple. The purpose of the 'Griha Shanti' puja is to appease the 'grihas' or planets and to bring peace among the constellations. And hence into the lives of the married couple.
Jaan
This ritual involves the groom arriving at the house of the bride to seek the blessings of his mother-in-law. The groom's prospective mother-in-law blesses him and performs a small ritual to ward off the evil eye.
The wedding rites
Kanya Daan
The wedding rituals are performed before a sacred fire. The rituals begin with the kanya daan or giving away of the girl by her parents. Their folded hands reflect the hope that their son-in-law will take good care of their daughter and never cause her pain.
Hasta Milap
In this ritual, the groom's shawl is knotted to the bride's pallu. This knot and the joined hands of the couple symbolise the union of two souls joined together in holy matrimony.
Pheras
The couple go around the fire as the acharya chants mantras. The groom also recites mantras, which express his expectations, and he seeks the love and support of his wife.
Saptapadi
The saptapadi or seven steps is another important ritual. The couple must go around the holy fire seven times. The groom chants mantras with each step. Through these mantras he seeks his bride's support and makes a particular request to her at each step.
Reception
The reception is usually held immediately after the wedding. It is an opportunity for relatives, friends and well-wishers to bless the newly weds. The highlight of the reception, of course, is the grand wedding feast.
Bidaai
The fond farewell. The bride is bid a tearful farewell as she steps into a palanquin, the modern version being a specially decorated car, and leaves for her new home.
Ghar nu Lakshmi
The bride's first step into her new home is considered auspicious. She is the Goddess who will bring wealth and good fortune to her home. The mother of the groom places a vessel, filled to the brim with rice, at the entrance of the house. The bride must knock the vessel down gently with her right foot, spilling some of the rice over.
With this step, the bride assumes full responsibility for all the joys and triumphs of her new household.
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