Traditional Hindu wedding is
full of rituals and custom. On
the main day the wedding lasts
for hours, there are a number
of ceremonies that are usually
held on separate days preceding
the wedding. Among all the main
day wedding rituals Kanyadan
is a vital and significant ritual.
Kanyadan is a
ritual in which the bride's father
entrust her daughter to the groom.
Before the wedding is held the
bride's parents have to promise
to give their daughter away and
the groom's parents have to accept
the girl as their son's wife.
On the main day of the function
consent of the parents is obtained
for the wedding to proceed. In
the ritual of Kanyadaan
the bride's parents normally her
father and in his absence any
elderly relative give their daughter
to the groom by putting the bride's
right hand into the groom's right
hand (Hastamelap, which means
joining of hands) while reciting
sacred verse.
Kanyadan (‘gift
of a maiden’) is the giving
away of the bride by her parents,
and Panigrahan is the acceptance
of her hand by the groom. In the
Hindu belief system, the giving
of a daughter to the groom’s
family is considered to be the
greatest possible dana (sacred
gift).
Kanyadan is
performed by both parents of the
bride. They place both hands of
their daughter in the hands of
the groom. He formally accepts
her hands in marriage. Then the
bride and groom place a garland
around each other’s neck
and recite prayers. After this
ceremony, responsibility for the
bride is transferred from her
parents to her husband and his
family.
The curtain separating the bride
and groom is then removed and
then the couple exchange flower
garlands. When the father of the
bride gives away his daughter
to the groom, followed by the
offering of gifts and presents.
Then the elders of the family
place an auspicious white cotton
cord around the couple's shoulder's
to protect them from ill omen
since cotton signifies unity,
the bride and the groom shower
each other with rice. This ritual
is a symbol of couple's bond and
love. The groom holds the bride's
hand and they both take vows to
love, be loyal, committed and
protect each other throughout
their life. Hindu wedding is all
about tradition and rituals. And
each of the rituals and customs
are followed with utmost dedication
and faith.
