Introduction India is a Hindu predominant country and is a land of unity and diversity. The convergence of different cultures and traditions on one single platform is the unique identity of the nation. People belonging to various religious communities and races live peacefully in India. People from Karnataka have their own cultural and regional significances. The Kannada wedding tradition is one of the unique marriage traditions in India. In performance, Kannada marriage resembles the traditional Hindu marriage. However, the customs and rituals observed highlight the typical essence of the region of Karnataka. The Kannada weddings hold up simple yet sophisticated…
Author: hinduscriptures
The Sacred Thread Exchange A little piece of the nail from the bridegroom’s finger is cut and tied on piece of sacred thread and worn on the left wrist of the bride. In a similar manner, a piece of thread ties a piece of nail from the bride’s finger onto the right wrist of the bridegroom. The cutting of the nails is performed on the occasion of Nahacho Nonkh Tungna. These threads are believed to be protective cords or Kankan and worn till the Chowthari or the fourth day of the marriage. The thread is also worn until the husband…
The Ceremony Previously Haldi used to be applied for several days, for almost a week, in the Kohbar area. However, with the passage of time, the Haldi ceremony has been restricted only to the day of marriage. The ceremony begins early in the morning, and both the bride and the bridegroom are applied Haldi and Ubtan seven times in the day, by five married woman who have their husband alive, at their respective places. On this occasion, only close relatives apply Haldi, unlike the other occasions where both friends and family members apply the same. This occasion also allows a…
The Method of Puja The Nav Graha Puja literally means the puja ceremony performed to propitiate the nine planets. It is usually performed after the Kalash Sthapana and the Matri Puja. The nine planets are represented by the nine bamboo poles, which are erected at the Maroh. Eight poles are erected in a circular arrangement and one is erected at the center, which also represents the marriage pole. The Significance The Nav Graha Puja is performed for neutralizing and warding off the evil and negative influences from the lives of the newly married couple. Many obstacles and hurdles may…
The Importance of Gotra The Gotrachara is performed just before the bride is gifted away to the family of the bridegroom. During this ceremony, the Gotra or lineage, parvara and the names of the ancestors of both the families are declared aloud. The names are then written down in a piece of paper and again pronounced loudly. Later, the forty three mantras of the Gotrachara are chanted. In Scriptures Even the Ramayana has specific mention of the Gotrachara ceremony in its verse, “Joining the palms of the bride and the bridegroom, both the family priests recited the genealogy of the…
The Role of Bride’s Father The Godan ceremony is a tradition of Hindus, in which a cow or gold is gifted to the bridegroom by the bride’s parents. It is usually performed after the Madhupurka ceremony. The bride’s father utters three times, “gao, gao, gaoprattgrihyatam”. This practice originated from the Vedic period, when cows were donated to priests and bridegrooms during ceremonies. The Aryans also used to gift cows to Brahmans and revered guests. The New Practice This practice has slowly faded away and nowadays symbolic gifts such as token money, gold, shirting and suiting, utensils, garlands etc. are exchanged.…
The Ritual The word Gharbharai literally means filling of the house. This ceremony symbolizes prosperity and is a folk tradition performed by the ladies of the bride’s house. This ceremony usually takes place at the Kohbar, where both the bride and bridegroom face eastwards or northwards and hold their cupped hands together. The ladies from the bride’s house questions the bridegroom, about whose house he cares about the most and then pour a handful of rice in their cupped hands. Bridegroom’s Role The bridegroom tries to defend his own house and throws the rice backwards. Ultimately, the bridegroom relents to…
Welcoming Bride Also known as Granthi Bandhan, the Ganth Bandhan ceremony is generally performed after the Pant Grahan rites. In some places, it is also performed after the Saptapadi rites and at other places after the Laja Homa ceremony. During this ceremony, the presiding priest requests the bride’s sister-in-law to tie the bridal knot. A knot is tied to the bride’s red scarf and the bridegroom’s cream colored handkerchief. The bridegroom holds onto the knot until he reaches the Kohbar. The ceremony is symbolic of the welcoming of the bride into the life of the bridegroom. During the ceremony, during…
The Khoinchaeo Tradition Khoinchaeo is actually the tradition of giving soaked grams to women, at an auspicious occasion. It is especially very popular in and around the Gangetic Belt, and is in existence even till this date. The grams are soaked overnight in huge bamboo baskets and are left to germinate. They are then distributed among the women, who carry it in the loose end of their Saris, also known Khoinchas. Matkor Ceremony Nowadays, instead of carrying the soaked grams in the Khoinchas, the host places the two bamboo baskets of grams at their courtyards and distributes the soaked grams…
Worship to Kul Devta The Kul Devtas or the family Gods and Goddesses are ardently worshipped by most of the ladies of the families. The following rituals are usually performed to worship the Kul Devtas: o Vandana or Prayers o Sandhya or Lighting of the lamps o Jaap or Mantras o Lighting of sacred sacrificial fires The Importance of Kul Devta Through the observance of these rituals, the Kul Devtas are remembered and worshipped. Though, all these procedures are not strictly observed by all Hindus, it is of mammoth importance for all the orthodox Hindus to adhere to these prescribed…
Bride’s brother’s arrival The occasion of threshold crossing is observed a couple of days after the marriage. The brother of the bride comes to receive the bride from her in-laws place. He brings sweetmeats and niceties for her in-laws family. The time is fixed by the priest, in accordance with the religious scriptures. Tuesdays are avoided, owing to it being the day of Lord Hanuman, the bachelor God. Ritual mentioned in Atharva Veda The bride visits her parent’s placv e, for the Dwar Langai or threshold crossing and the nuptial bath. These rituals have been mentioned in the ancient Vedic…
Post-Marriage Ritual The Chumawan ceremony is performed after completion of the marriage procedures. Five married women from the bride’s family, whose husbands are alive, perform the Chumawan ceremony for both the Dulha (bridegroom) and Dulhan (bride). During the ceremony, both the bride and the bridegroom are blessed with rice. It is performed to signify the release of the couple from the place of ritual. A Social Milieu After the ceremony, the couple gathers at a social hall, to the accompaniment of hit numbers from cine films. Friends and family congratulate, gift and take photographs along with the couple. All the…
Chawka Sanctified Chawka is a ritual space at the bridegroom’s place, where a Puja is performed after the marriage. The Vedi and Harish are brought from the actual Maroh at the bride’s place and placed at the open makeshift Maroh. The Chawka is sanctified with sacred verses. Gods and Goddesses are invited to act as divine witnesses and give blessings to the couple. The Gowri-Ganesh Puja and the rites to propitiate the nine planets and other Gods are performed, so that the nuptial spot is sanctified. Kumbh Ritual A Kumbh or ceremonial pot is also placed at the foot of…
Importance of Name Change Ceremony Sacred formulas and ritualistic charms have been practiced since time immemorial, to ward off evil spirits and influences. The Hindu marriage manuals also stress upon this fact and suggest the practice of these holy activities. The nature of marriage is considered very critical, owing to the attendant dangers faced by the couple. Every effort during the marriage ceremony is made to remove these ill-effects. The bride is considered to be more vulnerable than the bridegroom. Hence, she is the epicenter of all the complex intricacies and auspicious ceremonies. The girl’s name is often changed to…
Bride Blessing Ceremony Water, one of the five elements of nature, is considered very auspicious in many Hindu rituals. It is believed to have medicinal, purifying and sanctifying properties. Thus, water is sprinkled over the head of the bride, to congratulate her and wish her good resolve. Along with water, flowers and akshat are also used to bless the bride. It is also used because it is considered to free the bride from all physical and psychological troubles. The Mantra The following mantra is chanted while sprinkling water over the head of the bride: “The blessed, the most blessed waters…
The Emotional Turn Bidai or bridal departure is a very important occasion in Hindu marriage custom. It is also considered as very poignant and heartrending. It is the moment or instance, when the bride departs from her paternal home towards the place of her in-laws. There is a lot of uncertainty in the mind of the bride, owing to the fact that she has to spend the rest of her life among complete strangers. This occasion overwhelms everyone present at the place and thus tears flow from the eyes. Even the bridegroom and his party are overwhelmed at the occasion.…
Bride’s Parents visit the Bridegroom During the occasion of Bhat Khawai, the bride’s parents are invited by the bridegroom’s parents, at their place, after the passage of sometime after marriage. Many parents are reluctant to accept the invitation, because they think that their daughter has been offered in Kanyadan or gift and nothing can be taken in return as reciprocation. There are other parents, who visit their place but do not consume or even drink any water. Some parents take loads of gifts such as token money, fruits and gifts for the in-laws and accept their food in return. After…
The Telugu Tradition The Arya Samaj Movement, propounded and promoted by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, heavily influenced the Telugu culture. After the sensitization of the Telugu identity and creation of Andhra Pradesh, there was again a force for revival of these customs and tradition. (welloflife.com) Telugu Hindu marriages are till date performed in accordance to the Sanskar Vidhi. The local priests are also being asked to steadily revert to the traditional Padhatis. However, owing to the advent of fast paced lifestyle, the Telugu Hindus are deliberately doing away with the complex ritualistic procedures and accepting simpler Vedic procedures, which are…
Arrival of the Procession Marriage is a big event in the lives of Hindus. The bridal car along with the bridal party approaches the bridegroom’s place, with much pomp, fanfare and splendor. Musical processions usually follow the bridal party, symbolizing the arrival of happiness and good wishes. During the Old Vedic days, the bridegroom’s father always paid special attention to the bride, until she completely integrated into the house of her in-laws. The Vedic bridal procession consisted of Hathis (elephants), Ghoras (Horses), Music and bridal cars. The Mantra Chanted The following verse from the Rig Veda amply illustrates the marriage…
The Mantra Chanted The mantra that is chanted before the lighting of the Hawankund is, “This fire as an earliest pervading force of the worldly objects first shines in the dawn and thereafter in the daylight. This fire shines in the different rays of the sun and extends its essence in the heaven and the earth”. The bridegroom lights the Hawankund After the chanting of the Mantra, the bridegroom lights the Hawankund after establishing the Laukik Agni or Folk fire. In the older Vedic days, the fire was created through friction, by rubbing two dry pieces of wood against each…