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.