Mandap ceremony
holds utmost importance on the day
of the wedding. This is because
all the significant rituals are
performed during the mandap ceremony.
In India, weddings take place in
accordance with the age old customs
and traditions. It is a very meticulous
process and is fulfilled with the
feeling that it is a one time affair.
As a result, parents on both the
sides do not leave any stone unturned
in organizing a prosperous wedding
for their kids.
This attributes to the fact that
Indian weddings are around five
day long. There are a number of
rituals that take place before,
after and on the wedding day itself.
Mandap ceremony is also such ritual.
After the var mala ceremony is over,
the couple is blessed by the elderly
people of both the families. This
is followed by the mandap ceremony,
which is performed under a canopy
supported on four pillars. This
is called Mandap.
It is usually made of bamboo and
is decorated with red and silver
colors.
The four pillars of the mandap
signify the parents on both sides,
which toiled hard to bring their
children up. The mandap
ceremony usually takes
place at the house of the bride
or otherwise it is held at the wedding
venue itself. All the rituals during
the mandap ceremony
are performed in front of the sacred
fire and hymns recited by the priest,
from Vedas. The main rituals conducted
here are Saat Phere, Kanyadaan,
Maang baharai etc.