Dynamics of Marriage and Family

Dynamics of Marriage and Family 3(3+0)

Lesson 16 : Hindu Marriage

Prior to marriage

1. Engagement or Ring ceremony: In a relatively small gathering of close relatives and friends of the bride and groom, both exchange rings after a small puja is performed. It is the platform where alliance between the two families is announced formally and other issues related to marriage like date of the wedding etc are finalized among elderly of both the parties.


2. Barni Bandhwana: Approximately 15 days prior to the actual wedding, on an auspicious day, the pundit performs a puja to Lord Ganesh (the remover of obstacles). During this puja a piece of mauli (thread) is tied to the hands of the groom and his parents. This puja is done to humbly request that the wedding happen without any problems, apart from the occasional trivial mishaps


3. Bhaat: The Bhaat is an important ceremony, common to both the bride's and the groom's families. The mother’s of both the parties go to their brother’s home and give them formal invitation for wedding. On invitation, maternal uncle of the groom/bride along with their family arrive at wedding with much fanfare and gifts for the bride/groom and whole family.


4. Sangeet Sandhya: The sangeet sandhya is an evening of musical entertainment organized in the homes of both the parties. This event takes place 2 or 3 days before a wedding in a Banquet Hall or if a small affair, then at home. The friends and relatives of the groom and bride sing dance and feast.


5. Tilak Ceremony: The male members of the bride's family, like her father, brother, uncles go to grooms place where all his family members, relatives and community members gather for Tilak Ceremony. In the ceremony, brother of the bride puts a tilak on the forehead of the groom and presents him gifts promised to be given to bride at the time of marriage and invites him to come to his home with all his family members, relatives and friends for wedding with his sister.


6. Haldi and Mehendi Ceremony: Another name for "Vivaah" is "haath pila karna". This ceremony is performed at both the houses. The females of both the families apply haldi paste on whole body of the bride and groom while singing songs. After it bride and groom take bath and mehndi is applied on their hands.