Press Releases 2005

Traditional Indian Hindu Wedding

THE DOWN JERSEY FOLKLIFE CENTER
AT WHEATON VILLAGE PRESENTS
TRADITIONAL INDIAN HINDU WEDDING

A traditional Hindu wedding can last for three to seven days. The word Marriage, or Vivaaha, in Sanskrit, means “‘to support and sustain.” The Hindu marriage ceremony is one the oldest in the world. It was well established as mentioned in the Vedas, which are dated 3000 years BC, and has continued uninterrupted since then. The Hindu marriage ceremony is a systematic and customary procedure and consists of several rituals. Every ritual has a distinct meaning and purpose. It is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm, zeal and fan fare. The process of Hindu marriage varies widely from region to region and is performed under the guidance of a pundit (priest) who recites mantras (verses) that are originally written in Sanskrit.

In Indian weddings, a formal engagement precedes the wedding ceremony. Engagement is symbolized by the bride’s parents giving a coconut, which is considered sacred fruit, to the groom. The groom’s parents present a Sari to the bride-to-be and distribute sweets among families. Astrological charts are consulted to choose a day for the wedding that’s considered auspicious.

A day before the wedding, the bride, her friends and female family members gather for the Mehendi ritual. Mehendi is the art of applying Henna on the body. It is a beautiful form of temporary body decoration. Applying Mehendi is considered beneficial and lucky, and always regarded as beautiful and blessed. There are some popular beliefs about Mehendi, especially among women. A deeply colored design is generally considered a good sign for the new couple. It is a common belief among Hindu women that during the wedding rituals the darker the imprint left on the bride's palms, the more her mother-in-law will love her.

Hindu weddings are suppose to take place outside, on the earth, under a canopy known as a mandap(altar). If that's not possible, a mandap is built inside. The mandap’s four pillars symbolize the four parents of the bride and groom, and the important role they have played in raising their children and their continuing role as guides through times of trouble.

The groom arrives for the wedding in a procession or the Baraat (wedding procession). It is the main event on the groom’s side. Then the bride and the groom exchange garlands of flowers to welcome each other. In Kanyadan (giving the daughter away) part of the ceremony, the bride’s father joins the hands of his daughter and the groom, declaring to all gathered that he hands her to the care of the man of her heart. During the Mangal Fera the couple circles the sacred fire four times asking for God’s blessing. The most important part of the Hindu marriage is Saptapadi, translated in Sanskrit to mean “Seven Steps.” These steps are representative of the marriage vows. The bride and groom leave the mandap as a married couple and receive blessings from all of their guests.

Ticket prices: Adults $10.00 and $5.00 for children ages six to twelve. Children five and under are free. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Village’s Administration Building, or by calling 800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800, ext. 109.

Wheaton Village strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities. Call two weeks in advance for special accommodations.

The Down Jersey Folklife Center programs are supported in part, by grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment of the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the National Park Service. The Center is further supported by residents and groups with an interest in the traditional art and culture of southern New Jersey. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

###

Press Release Contact Information

Sign up for the Wheaton Journal