All the rituals performed in Indian weddings are auspicious and traditional. Following these rituals helps in strengthening the bond of love between the bride and groom’s family members. Marriage is made successful only after following the rituals appropriately.
In recent times, most of the traditions are clubbed together and simplified to save time and energy. They are made simple and elegant with the beauty of nature.
First and foremost
The family members of both the bride and groom fix the marriage after performing horoscope matching. They consult an astrologer to fix the date of wedding. He gives a list of auspicious days for the next few months. The couple’s family members discuss among themselves and decide the convenient date. They also give him money or sweets as a token love.
Engagement
The next ceremony in the happy marriage process is formal betrothal. The bride and groom are legally bonded at the engagement ceremony. The love between the couple's increases and they get excited. They offer prayers to God by lighting lamps and incense sticks.
Ring ceremony
The next tradition is to exchange rings in front of the relatives and friends of both the bride and groom. They also exchange garlands. The ring is mostly preferred to be in gold or diamond. The ring is exchanged only after seeking blessings from God.
Tilak ceremony
It is either celebrated along with the engagement or separately. The bride’s father plays an important role in this ceremony. The bride's family members arrive at the groom’s home with gifts and sweets. The vermilion or red paste is first offered in front of the idol of God to sanctify it.
Role of bride's father
The bride's father applies tilak on the forehead of the groom which signifies that he has accepted the groom with love. He then gifts the groom with sweets, dry fruits and clothes. The groom in turn reciprocates his love by getting his blessings. The so called groom is now on considered to be son-in-law after this ceremony.
Role of the groom's mother
The bride adorns herself with new clothes and flowers. Most often the women do not attend the tilak ceremony. The groom's mother accepts the bride as her daughter-in-law by gifting her with jewels and flowers in Indian weddings. After this tradition, the girl is ready for the marriage.
Gradual Changes
After the above said process, the bride’s father washes the feet of groom with water. The groom places his legs on a steel plate. The mother of bride pours water slowly. All these happened in olden days. But in recent days, it is considered low. Thus the siblings of the bride perform this tradition.
At the wedding
In Indian wedding, the tilak ceremony extends at the day of wedding also. The family members gather after the tying of nuptial knot before the sacred fire. Thereafter the tilak tradition is carried out by the girl’s father.
Thus the tilak ceremony is performed as a separate event amongst other rituals performed at the wedding.
