Wedding Traditions

Marrychoice.com                
                                 Indian wedding traditions are basically based on religion like Hindu, Christian and Muslim marriages. Due to vast diversity in Indian culture, it also varies as per region, community and castes.The common customs involved in Indian wedding ceremonies are exchange of wedding vows by the couples authorized by their religious figure, presentation of gifts, exchange of garlands and rings, tying of thali etc.

Hindu Wedding Traditions

                  In olden days Hindu wedding customs involved elaborate process for few days. Nowadays considering the trend of fast approach towards life and cost of weddings, the process has been shortened down. Still there are families in India, which performs these customs traditionally, mostly in villages.
Hindu ceremonies are usually conducted by a Purohit / Pandit chanting mantras and vedas in Sanskrit. The wedding vows are performed in front of yagna or sacred fire. Hindu marriage traditions vary among the states, caste and community. Commonly, the bonding of relationship as husband and wife happens on tying of mangalsutra, which is a very important ritual of Hindu wedding ceremony. The mangalsutra and chanting of mantras are carried out, only in auspicious time of that specific wedding day, which would have been finalized beforehand by astrology.
Even the Hindus living abroad follow the wedding traditions as per the customs, rites and rituals of Hindu wedding ceremony.

Christian Wedding Traditions

                      Indian Christians mostly follow the western customs for marriage.The rituals of marriage are carried out in their church authorized by the priest of the church. The wedding vows are taken in front of their families, relatives and public assembled in the church, in front of God and verses from "The Bible" is read to them. Exchange of wedding rings forms the relationship between the couples.

Muslim Wedding Traditions

                          Muslim marriage, known as "Nikah" in Urdu, is carried out in front of their religious leader of the Mosque. The bride, families and relatives assemble in the Mosque and recite the "Holy Quraan" and pays prayer to Allah. Thereafter the bride is brought to the wedding venue and wedding vows are recited in front of their families and public. The actual bonding of relationship as couple, happens when the groom and bride signs the ledger of the mosque.
                          There is an important post wedding ceremony known as "Valima" in Muslim marriages. It is celebrated normally after a couple of days from Nikah. There is a grand feast with dinner offered by the bride's family and it is the actual reception ceremony.