Post-Wedding Bliss: Indian Newlyweds' Rituals

Indian weddings are a colourful, multi-day celebration, steeped in rich tradition and rituals. Typically lasting three days, but sometimes up to five, the festivities include a variety of ceremonies, dances, and food.

The first day is an intimate gathering with close family and friends, where the Ganesh Puja or Ganesha Pooja ceremony is performed. This is a prayer to the Hindu deity Ganesh, requesting a blessing and a peaceful atmosphere for the wedding.

The second day is the Mehndi ceremony, where the bride and other women have their hands and feet adorned with intricate henna patterns. The Sangeet takes place in the evening, with food, dancing, and performances.

The third day is the wedding ceremony and reception. The ceremony includes rituals such as the groom's procession, the bride's grand reveal, the exchange of flower garlands, and the Saptapadi, or seven steps, around a fire pit. The reception is a big party with music, singing, dancing, and a feast.

The Ganesh Puja

Ganesh is regarded as the God that removes all kinds of obstacles, and for this reason, he is also known as Vighna Vinashak. The Puja is performed for good luck to be bestowed upon the married couple and their families, so that whatever obstacles they may face will be destroyed. It is believed that worshipping Lord Ganesh before marriage brings prosperity to a couple's life.

The Puja involves offering a prayer to Lord Ganesh, requesting peace and harmony to prevail during the ceremony. Lord Ganesh's blessings are sought for an auspicious beginning for the couple. The family also offers a prayer for a smooth and obstacle-free wedding.

The ingredients required for the Puja include the idol of Lord Ganesh placed on a raised platform, his favourite sweet called modak (21 of them, to be precise), red flowers, coconut, Durva grass, betel nut, a red thread, a lamp, and incense.

The Mehndi ceremony

The ceremony is a lively and important part of South Asian culture, and the bride is adorned with intricate henna patterns on her palms, the backs of her hands, and her feet. The family and friends of the bride take part in the decoration of the bride, using an orange or brown dye to symbolise good luck, fortune, prosperity, colour, and vibrance. The deeper the colour of the bride's mehndi, the happier the couple's marriage will be. The designs often include the couple's faces and the name of the bride's partner, hidden within the imagery.

The application of mehndi serves several symbolic purposes. It is regarded as a sign of 'suhaag', implying a blissful married life, and is emblematic of fertility, vibrance, and the attraction of positivity. The natural medicinal herbal remedies of the henna also help to cool the body and relieve the bride of any stress before the big day. The cooling effect of the henna is believed to help reduce the bride's stress and headaches, and newlyweds are encouraged to avoid housework for as long as the stain stays on their hands.

The Sangeet

Food and drink are also an important part of the Sangeet, with an array of dishes and free-flowing alcohol. Henna is another key element, with guests indulging in this traditional art form, and the bride having had her henna done the day before.

The Wedding ceremony

The ceremony starts with the arrival of the groom, known as the Baraat. The groom is accompanied by family, friends, music, and dancing. They are welcomed at the entrance by the bride's parents, who may toss rice over the groom and apply a tilak, a mark of devotion to God, to his forehead.

Next is the Kanya Aagman, the arrival of the bride, who is escorted by her uncles, brothers, or father. The bride and groom then exchange flower garlands, known as Jai Mala, symbolising the first step into marriage.

The Kanyadaan follows, where the bride's father places her hand into the groom's hand, symbolising their lifelong union. The groom also presents the bride with a mangalsutra, a gold and black beaded necklace that signifies her married status.

The most crucial ritual of the ceremony is the Saptapadi, or the seven sacred steps around the fire. The bride and groom hold hands and circle the fire seven times while the priest chants Vedic mantras. This ritual represents the seven sacred vows of marriage and marks the beginning of their journey as a married couple.

To conclude the ceremony, the groom applies a red powder called sindoor to the bride's hair parting, symbolising that she is now married. The bride's family bids her a tearful farewell and blesses her for a happy married life.

The Reception

There will be a huge sit-down banquet, followed by a dance party. Guests are encouraged to get involved and join in with the dancing. Both Indian and Western music will be played, so there will be contemporary Western tunes as well as folk dances like Bhangra.

Guests are expected to participate and show their respect to the couple by getting involved, although it is acceptable to take a break and socialise. It is considered disrespectful to refuse food, so guests should accept what they are offered and partake in the wedding feast.

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