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.