July 7, 2010
Dhoni’s Wedding Panache
The speed at which Dhoni married his childhood friend Sakshi Rawat was faster than the cricket ball which travels out of the stadium when he hit. He wore a blue ’sherwani’ which was designed by Narendra Kumar. His bride was wearing brocade lehenga designed by Sabyasachi. Do you know what he is going to wear for his reception, hear it from the designer “Dhoni’s reception outfit is a black silk wool suit with narrow lapels, made keeping in mind that he wanted a sober ensemble. The fabric has a bit of shine and the trousers are slim fitted.” No one know when is his reception as he is on-duty for next 30days in Srilanka.
An American interpretation of Indian wedding
July 4, 2010
I found this video on youtube. What an American guy thinks about Indian wedding.
Christian Marriage
September 29, 2009
INTRODUCTION
Christian wedding like most of the weddings of the world have their root in its religion. In fact it is regarded as a form of worship. Christians believe that the God has intended marriage to be an instrument to bring about the welfare and happiness of mankind. Christian life is living out one’s baptism. A Christian disciple after being baptized dies and rises with Christ. Marriage is thought to be a part of living out one’s baptism for many Christians. A Christian wedding usually takes place in a Church, before a priest.
COSTUMES
Bridal Wear White gown is the most common dress worn by Christian brides worldwide. It came into being because people thought that it represented purity, affluence and virginity. She also wears a veil of net and carries a bouquet of flowers in her arm. In the Indian subcontinent, white saree is worn at many places.
Groom’s Attire The Christian groom is mostly seen in the suit with a bow. The preferred color for the suit is black
wedding
RITUALS
Rituals before Marriage: Christian marriages can begin either with wedding directly or with the engagement or betrothal. The betrothal ordinances are brief. They comprise of making the sign of the cross three times on both the engaged couples and the exchange of rings. The engagement ring is a promise for marriage. The priest then blesses the engaged couples in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.
Marriage Rituals: Christian Weddings are simple yet elegant. The bride walks towards the altar arm in arm with either her father. The tradition of the father walking his daughter down the aisle reflects the old belief that she was his property to “give away” to the groom. While the bridesmaid comes lifting her trail behind. Actual marriage rituals commence with the groom and his bride coming to the altar. As they come forward the priest start talking about the ‘blushing’ couple ready to get united with each other for life. As this proceeding goes on, hymns are begun to be sung by the choir. Then there follows the readings from the Bible. The bride and the groom declare the wedding vows after this. The priest would then bless the rings and give them to the eager couple. The bride and the groom exchange the rings. Subsequently, the priest declares them to be man and wife. The holy process ends with the sealing of their vows as the priest asking the groom to kiss his bride.
The ceremony comes to an end with the final blessing of the priest. The guests, towards the end, shower their blessings on the newly wedded couple. The last formality is the couple then signs the register and walk down aisle, arm in arm.
Wedding Cake: The Christians’ wedding cake is one big affair which originated primarily with lots of little wheat cakes. These little cakes were broken over the bride’s head to bring good luck and fertility. The present guests then eat a crumb to make it ensure good luck. The vogue of three tier wedding cake started off after the bizarre shape of the spire of Saint Bride’s Church in London. The cutting of the cake together implies that the “just married couple” would share their life together. Tradition has it that the top layer represents them as a couple, while the bottom layer represents the couple as a family. The layers in betweens represent the number of children the couple would have.
Cuisine: The wedding cuisine for the Christian wedding includes dishes that are popular in that region. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes abound. Christians believe in giving a toast to the newly married couple. Typical Christian dishes like cakes, puddings, custards and other frozen desserts are found among the sweet dishes.
Muslim Wedding
May 16, 2009
Introduction
Muslim Marriage known as ‘Nikaah’ in Urdu, is a civil contract between two persons – a man and a woman for conjugal life and begetting children. It is a contract of a permanent nature, unless dissolved by divorce. It has attached to it a notion of sanctity as well, since every step in its materialisation and dissolution is guided by religious dictates.
It can take place at any convenient time, because there is nothing like muhurat (the auspicious time) for the Muslims. Traditionally, the Muslim wedding is held at either the bride or the groom’s home. However, in the present time, due to convenience and the availability of enough space to accommodate the long list of guests, Muslim weddings are organized in banquet halls, auditorium as well as community centers.
Muslim weddings have a place of their own when it comes to uniqueness and traditionalism. Among Muslims, it is the family of the groom-to-be which searches for a suitable bride.
Marriage through the generations
Islam does not permit inter-religious marriages. Muslims give preference to cousins because of some considerations like – pride of lineage and notions of purity of blood; family solidarity; the prospect of the Jahez or dowry given to the daughter at the time of marriage remains in the same family.
Family consideration is the most important factor, which is split into two categories – consideration pertaining to the bridegroom, and consideration pertaining to the bride. The groom is supposed to be qualified, hailing from status family, employed and of good nature, whereas the bride has to be good looking, well-behaved and possess good health. She must be well trained in household management responsibilities.
Costume
The wedding dress for the bride includes a Sharara, which is a long following skirt and blouse. There is a dupatta to cover the head. The groom wears a Sherwani or a traditional salwar and kurta. But there are no hard and fast rules here.
Rituals
Wherever the wedding is held, all the rituals of the three phases of wedding (pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding) are strictly followed by the Muslims.
Mangni (Betrothal)
Mangni is a popular marriage ceremony, which is fast making its presence felt at all Indian marriages. In this ceremony, the female members of the boy’s family visit the house of the girl, taking with them sweets, fruits and vegetables. The sweets are distributed among the relatives and friends of the girl’s family. In return sweets, fruits and vegetables are sent to the boy’s house and there also sweets are distributed among the relatives and friends of the boy’s family. Exchanging rings between the groom and the bride does also take place.
Nikah
Invited guests and relations assemble at the bridegroom’s place on the Nikah day when the groom wears the clothes received from the bride’s side. Sehra (a flower veil) is tied to the groom’s forehead by the brother-in-law, who in return receives some cash as a present from the elders of the family. The Parjas i.e. Barber, Sweeper, Washerman, gardener, tailor and domestic servants, etc., are given money and clothes to mark the auspicious occasion. The baarat then proceeds to the house of the bride.
Celebration
Music & Dance
The house-hold dancing girls dance in the Zenana (women’s apartment) demand Gur-Chawal before starting their dance. They naver sing in the assembly of men. They cut jokes at the cost of the Samdhans (female near relatives of the bride and the groom) at each other’s house. On the wedding night also they recite satirical and facetious songs relating to the guests and relatives of the groom which provide good amusement to the hearers.
Cuisine
Wedding feast has fancy dishes like the welcome juice, Non-vegetarian dishes, mutton and chicken Biriyanis, Salad, Pickle, dessert, etc.
Hindu Wedding
April 3, 2009
Introduction
Hindu wedding joins two individuals for life, so that they can pursue dharma (duty), artha (possessions), kama (physical desires), and moksa (ultimate spiritual release) together. It also joins two families together. The ceremonies are traditionally conducted at least partially in Sanskrit, the language in which most holy Hindu ceremonies are conducted. The local language of the people involved is also used since most Hindus cannot understand Sanskrit. They have many rituals that have evolved since traditional times and differ in many ways from the modern western wedding ceremony and also it differs among the different regions, families, and castes. The Hindus attach a lot of importance to marriages and the ceremonies are very colorful and extend for several days.
Costume
Traditionally, the bride wears a red or red and white sari. The sari should be draped modestly over her hair. The groom wears a kafni (long shirt extending to the knees) with pijamo (leggings) or dhoti (sort of an overgrown loincloth). The groom might also wear a turban.
One feature of the bride’s wardrobe which has become popular abroad is the use of henna or mehndi to decorate her hands and feet. It’s said that you can tell how well a new bride is being treated by her in-laws from how long it takes for the mehndi to wear off.
Rituals
Homa (Laja) : The Oblation of Parched Grain
Here the bride offers sacrifice of food (poured into her hands by her brother or someone acting in her brother’s behalf) to the Gods for their blessings. “This
grain I spill. May it bring to me well being and unite you to me. May Agni hear us.” He then asks the bride to spill the grain into the fire, saying: “This woman scattering grain into the fire, prays: Blessings on my husband. May my relatives be prosperous”.
Kanya Danam (Giving Away of the Daughter)
The bride accepts her change of status from an unmarried woman to a wife by spreading turmeric powder on her hands. Kanya Danam is performed by the father (or uncle of guardian) of the bride in presence of a large gathering that is invited to witness the wedding. The father pours out a libation of sacred water symbolizing the giving away of the daughter to the bridegroom. The groom recites Vedic hymns to Kama, the God of love, for pure love and blessings. As a condition for offering his daughter for marriage, the father of the bride requests a promise from the groom for assisting the bride in realizing the three ends : dharma, artha, and kama. The groom makes the promise by repeating three times that he will not fail the bride in realizing dharma, artha and kama.
Paanigrahana (Holding the Hand)
The bridegroom stands facing west and the bride sits in front of him facing east. He seizes her hand and recites Vedic hymns for happiness, long life, and a lifelong relationship When the Bridegroom Takes the Bride’s Hand, He Says : “O Sarasvati, gracious one, rich in off spring, you whom we hymm first of all the Gods, may you prosper this marriage. “I seize your hand.”
Shaadi (Wedding)
The bride and the bridegroom face each other, and the priest ties their garments (the bride’s saree to the groom’s shirt) in a knot, symbolizing the sacred union. The bride and the bridegroom garland each other and exchange the rings. Next the nuptial fire, symbolizing the divine witness, and the sanctifier of the sacrament, is installed and worshipped. Both the bride and the groom grasp their hands together and pray to God for His blessings. Samagree, consisting of crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar, rice, ghee (clarified butter), and twigs is offered into the sacred fire to seek God’s blessings for the couple.
Marriage Symbols
The bride applies sandalwood paste to the groom’s forehead, the groom then applies a red mark on the bride’s forehead to display for as long as they are married. Then puffed rice and purified butter from the hands of the bride and groom are thrown into the fire. This represents the radiant one. Then the darkness is removed by the priest chanting mantras, which are blessings.
Vows
The vows are made before the fire that represents the deity. The groom vows to always include his wife and consult her. The groom takes his brides hand and leads her around the fire he steps closer to her they walk along where rice is heaped to one side. Holding hands they take the sapta padi… a seven step symbolic journey through life. Around the sacred fire pot they agree to:
* Earn a living for their family and respect their abundance
* Live a healthy life style for each other
* Be concerned for partner’s welfare
* Live together as friends… enjoy happiness and friendship throughout their lives
* To eat and drink with each other and be with each other on special occasions
* Desire children for whom they will be responsible and love
* Adapt to the other persons at any given time and place
The groom recites traditional mantras to the bride. Cotton is tied around the bride and groom while blessings of a long happy life are given. The bride washes her hands and the bride and groom pray that their prosperity will be fulfilled.
The groom places a floral necklace around his brides neck… this represents love.
