Our Exclusive Guide to Hindu Weddings
The Hindu wedding is a religious ceremony rich in tradition and symbolic meaning. To make things easier for our customers we’ve made an exclusive step-by-step guide to traditional Hindu weddings. We also offer custom jewellery services for thaali kodis and wedding rings. See below for our guide and visit us in-store today for a quote.
The Hindu Wedding
In the ceremony, the Groom and Bride represent Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathi. They sit on an elevated platform above the congregation. Below them lies the holy ground, the ceremonial area (Manavari). Here the Priest chants sacred, ancient prayers (Mantras) throughout the ceremony to invoke deities to be present.
1. Arrival Of The Groom
The Groom is accompanied by his Tholan (akin to a best man) who is the Bride's brother. As a token of appreciation, he presents the Tholan with a gold ring. Aarathi (a tray of light that is circled) is then performed in order to welcome him and to forestall any mishaps in the proceedings. The Groom is received by the Bride's father who adorns him with a garland and is then led to Manavarai.
2. Santification And Protection
The Priest offers a prayer to Lord Ganesh, invoking his blessings for the wedding to take place without any hindrances. The Priest begins the purification of the Groom by placing a Thetpai (ceremonial ring) on his finger and fastening a saffron thread around his wrist to enlist divine protection from the unforeseen. A coconut is broken by one of the Groom's accompanied relatives.
3. Arrival of The Bride
The Bride is led to the Manavarai by the Tholi (akin to a Best Friend), Groom's sister, her parents and the bridesmaids. The Priest then conducts the same purification and protection rituals for Bride, as he had conducted for the Groom. He lights Agni (the sacred fir), to witness the ceremony, bless the couple and give radiance and strength to their marriage.
4. Giving Away The Bride
Kannika Dhaanam is the ceremony in which the Bride's parents give their daughter's hand in marriage to the Groom. Performs the rituals by placing the Bride's right hand in the palm of the Groom's right hand together with a gold bracelet, symbolic of a proud possesion. The koorai saree (bridal saree) and thaali kodi (wedding chain) taken around the congregation for their blessings. Groom then presents the koorai saree to the Bride, who leaves to change into it.
5. Seven Steps And Pradakshanam
The couple take seven symbolic steps (sapta padi). The first step to nourish each other. The second step to grow together instrength. The third step to perform religious duties together. The fourth step to share joys and sorrow through mutal love and trust. The fifth step to be blessed with children. The sixth step to remain lifelong friends. The seventh step to fulfuill all duties together. The Groom places the Bride's right foot on an ammi (granite stone), represnting a strong foundation in life and places a silver ring on her second toe. He does the same for her left foot.
6. The Thaali Ceremony
Bride returns to the manavarai wearing her koorai saree and places a garland around Groom signifying her choice. This is the most important part of the wedding. To the resounding melam (drum beat) and nadaswaram (classical music) rising to a crescendo, the groom ties the thaali around the Bride's neck. This act is timed precisely to the auspicous moment (muhurtham), which is determined, by astrologers and Priests prior to the wedding. All those assembled shower them with saffron, coloured rice and flowerpetals as an act of blessing. Bride then takes her seat, this time to the left of the Groom. Red powder (kumkum) is placed on the Bride's forehead symbolising that she is now a married woman. The new positions of the Bride and Groom symbolise the union of Lord Shiva and Parvathi - the union between two souls into one. In the eyes of God, Groom, and Bride are now united as husband and wife.
7. Exchange of Garlands
This exchange of garlands (maalai maathal) represents the symbolic unification of the wedded couple.
8. Finding The Ring
The Priest drops a gold ring into a pot filled with water. Bride and Groom put their hands into the pot, taking turns to find the ring. This symbolises the giving and taking necessary in marriage, which is important to overcome and of life's difficulties.
Hindu Symbolism
- The Welcome -
Guest are welcomed with the sparkeling of rosewater sandalwood paste and red saffron (kumkum). A sugary sweet is presented to guests so that all words uttered of this occasion may be sweet.
- Kolam -
These designs are usually drawn using rice flour. It symbolises welcome protective prayers and auspicous beginnings.
- Water -
The element that gives life. Represents the dispelling of evil spirits.
- Fire -
The element that dispels darkness.
- Coconut -
Represents fertility.