Painting Details

Hindu Marriage:The basis for a fulfilling married life

A Vedic sage emphasized that the basis of happy and fulfilling married life is the sense of unity, intimacy and love between husband and wife. Thus, marriage is not for self-indulgence, but rather should be considered a lifelong social and spiritual responsibility. Married life is considered an opportunity for two people to grow from life partners into soul mates.

Sagai :The pre-wedding ceremonies include engagement This symbolizes the bride’s family’s acceptance of the union of their daughter and the groom-to-be. Kankotri : invitation cards are distributed to friend and relatives ,describing the details of wedding ceremony . Mehendi and Peethi:A day before the wedding the palm and feet of the bride are decorated with "Mendhi". Both the bride and the bridegroom applies mehandi.While the bridegroom applies it as a token on his hands, the bride applies it on her hands and feet making intricate patterns. Mehndi signifies the strength of love in a marriage. It is believed that the darker the mehndi color, the stronger the love and bond will be between the bride and the bridegroom.A canopy or mandap decorated with flowers is erected at the place of wedding. On the wedding morning Their bodies are anointed with turmeric, sandalwood paste and oils, which cleanse the body, soften the skin, and make it aromatic. They are then bathed to the chanting of Vedic mantras . Music/Songs :Geet and sangeet are the soul of any Indian wedding. the ladies sing wedding songs and the girls dance. Ganesh Sthapan : All prayers in Hindu ceremonies start by invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha Mandap Mahurat:This is a typical ceremony performed before many auspicious events. The Pundit performs this puja in the bride and groom’s homes a few days before the wedding. The families pray to Lord Ganesh and seek His blessings. Griha Shanti:This puja is also conducted by a Pandit and the date and time is chosen by matching the horoscopes of the bride and groom to-be. This prayer is conducted with the bride and groom’s family members and relatives. This pooja seeks to provide the couple with a happily married life by calling happiness and peace from the stars. Procession & Reception (Barat & Swagat)): The groom, accompanied by his family & friends, goes to the Bride's place in a procession The procession may consists of 100 to thousands of people, both men and women, relatives go and even dance in the procession.. He sits on a decorated horse. Then the groom steps down from the horse and taken to the wedding place. Ponkvu:The arrival of the groom, or the Ponkvu, is the official start of the Gujurati wedding. The groom is welcomed by his mother-in-law at the entrance. Aarti : The bride's mother welcomes the groom with a garland, applies a tilak and offers a small sweet piece and pan (beetle leaf)& will playfully try to grab his nose. This tradition reminds the groom that he has come rubbing his nose at their door asking for their daughter’s hand in marriage. At the entrance, the groom places his right foot on the top of the brides foot, signifying that he should be the dominating strength in their life together. After the groom enters the house, the brides parents rinse his feet with milk and water. It is believed that due to all the prayers that have preceded this moment, the groom is an embodiment of Lord Vishnu on this wedding day. Garlands Exchange(Jai Mala): The bride & groom exchange garlands of fresh flowers acknowledge their life long bondage in front of all the people. The bride & groom are then escorted to the mandap (alter) by their parents. Hathleva (Joining of Hands): In this ceremony which is a part of the wedding ceremony, some henna is put in the right hands of the couple and are tied with a cloth. The couple pray to the Gods to bless their marriage. The Hathleva signifies an eternal bond that will join the couple forever. The Hathleva also signifies that although they are separate individuals, from now onwards they are one in mind and spirit. The Wedding Ceremony ( Shaadi): During the wedding ceremony the bride and bridegroom are seated in front of a holy fire. A Pundit conducts the wedding, performs havan, and recites religious sayings. In the havan, offerings are made into the holy fire. Satapadi:Phere Around Fire: The Pundit explains to the couple their responsibilities and duties in their married life towards each other. Hindu religion believes that fire is a sustainers of life. The couple walks around the fire customs seven times, exchanging vows of their duties. Kanya Daan (Entrusting of the Daughter):The brides parents entrust their daughter in the safe keeping of the groom and his family. Ashirwaad (Blessing)The priest explains to the couples their responsibilities and gives them his holy blessings. This completes the marriage ceremony. Vidaii: In this ceremony, after the wedding is over, the brides parents gives a warm send off to their daughter. They wish her a very good and harmonious long married life. From now onwards their daughter does not belong to them.