| Hindu Weddings in India are known for its great | | | | India. |
| pomp and show. The wedding ceremonies extend | | | | |
| over a period of four to five days. These ceremonies | | | | On the main day of Wedding the wedding ceremony |
| are based on great Indian traditions and customs. In | | | | begin with Jaimala, the ceremony in which the bride |
| addition to this, the Indian weddings are considered | | | | and the groom exchange flower garlands in the |
| as an important sacrament of the Hindu religion. Hindu | | | | presence of their friends and relatives. This ceremony |
| weddings are one among sixteen cultural practices a | | | | is followed by Kanyadaan for which the bride and |
| devout Hindu has to go through. Hindu marriages are | | | | groom arrive to the mandap to perform this custom. |
| not only a union of two hearts but two families as | | | | This ritual is considered very significant because it is |
| well. For this holy union a large number of customs | | | | the ritual in which the bride's father gives his |
| have to be followed. These customs are divided into | | | | daughter’s hand to the groom. This moment is |
| three parts, pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding | | | | sanctified with mantras chanted by priests. The next |
| ritual. | | | | thing is Mangalpheras which is performed around the |
| | | | | holy fire. The couple also take the seven vows called |
| The Pre Wedding Rituals are beginning of wedding | | | | Saptapadi, and make promise to stand by each other |
| ceremony. The pre wedding rituals consists of | | | | through all thick and thins. This ceremony is followed |
| engagement, tilak, sagai, sangeet and mehandi. The | | | | by the groom putting sindoor or vermillion in the |
| Engagement ceremony is marked by the exchange | | | | bride's hair parting. Then the groom ties mangalsutra |
| of rings by prospective brides and grooms. The next | | | | around the bride's neck. |
| ceremony is Tilak ceremony, wherein the girl’s | | | | |
| brother applies tilak (red mark) on the groom’s | | | | After completion of wedding ceremony the |
| forehead and offers him gifts. Next is the Sagai | | | | Post-Wedding Rituals starts. The post wedding rituals |
| ceremony wherein bride and groom sides exchange | | | | consist of vidaai and reception. The Vidaai ceremony |
| gifts. The next part of pre wedding rituals is Sangeet | | | | is the event in which bride leaves her ancestral home |
| ceremony, in which women and girls of both the | | | | to join grooms family. When the couple arrives at the |
| families sing and dance to enjoy these moments. The | | | | groom's house, the proud groom’s mother |
| next and last part of the wedding rituals is Mehandi | | | | welcomes them with aarti. After completion of some |
| ceremony in which mehndi or henna is applied on | | | | other rituals a grand reception party is organised to |
| bride's hands, palms and feet in an artistic way. It is | | | | introduce bride to the grooms family and society. |
| one of the important aspects of Hindu weddings in | | | | |