Weddings in Indian states are the representations of magnificent grandeur, pomp and several rites and rituals. A wedding is a ritual that celebrates the beginning of a marriage or civil union. Wedding traditions and customs greatly vary between cultures, countries, religions, ethnic groups, and social classes. In some countries, cultures and religions, the real act of marriage begins during the actual wedding ceremony. In other customs, the legal act of marriage occurs during the time of signing the marriage license or other legal document, and the wedding is then an opportunity to perform a traditional ritual and celebrate with friends and family. In Indian states, marriages are performed in different ways following different rituals as per their customs.
The kinds of weddings in India are varied because of its vast, multiracial population and the different regions of the country. The Arya Samaj Weddings, north Indian weddings, south Indian weddings, west Indian weddings, east Indian weddings is dissimilar in their rituals, decorations and thus brings about many more colours in the event of wedding.
Kashmiri Wedding
In the Kashmiri wedding, pre wedding rituals like `Livun` and `Wanwun`, `Maanziraat` Ceremony, `Devgon` and `Duribat` are celebrated. The Kashmiri wedding follow some Hindu rituals of marriage followed by `Vidai ceremony` and the welcoming of new wedded couple. Some post marriage rituals take place after the wedding. These are `Satraat` Ceremony, `Phirlath` Ceremony, `Roth Khabar` etc which are performed after the wedding is over.
Bengali Wedding
Among the Bengalis pre-wedding customs are maintained like `Adan Pradan`, `Aashirwad`, `Vridhi Puja`, `Dodhi Mangal`, `Gaye Holud`, `Adhibash` etc that are performed with much interest and merriment. After these pre marriage rituals, Bengali wedding includes ceremonials like welcoming the groom, `Shubho Drishti` ritual, `Mala Badal` ceremony, `Saat Paak` and `Sampradhan` are performed during the marriage. After marriage rituals like `Bidaai`, `Basar Ghar`, `Bashi Biye`, `Bou Baran`, `Bahubhaat`, `Kaal Ratri`, `Dira Gaman`, `Phool Shojja` are performed in Bengali traditional marriage.
Maharashtrian Wedding
Maharashtrian wedding is performed pompously and enjoyed by the relatives and friends of the bride and bridegroom. The Maharashtrian wedding too includes some pre and post marriage rituals namely `Sakhar Puda`, `Kelvan`, `Simant Puja`, `Halad Chadavane` and `Seemaan Pooja` are performed as pre marriage rituals and reception party, Changing the bride`s name, `Varat`, `Grihapravesh`, `Suun Mukh Baghne`, `Tond Dhune` and `Vyahi Bhet` are considered as post marriage rituals in Maharashtrian wedding. The marriage includes customs like `Antarpaat`, `Laxmi Narayan Puja` and `Jhal Phirawne`.
Tamil Wedding
In the southern part of India, in Tamil Nadu, Tamil wedding is performed with some pre marriage rituals like `Panda Kaal Muhurtham`, receiving the groom, `Vratham` and `Pallikai Thellichal`, `Naandi` and `Jaanavaasam`, `Nicchiyadharatham`, reading of `Lagna Pathirigai` etc, `Mangala Snaanam` and `Kashi Yatra`, exchange of garlands and `Oonjal`, `Kanyadaanam` and `Muhurtham` and `Saptapadi` are performed during marriage. Some post marriage rituals like `Sammandhi Mariyathai`, `Laaja Homam` and `Paaladaanam` custom, `Grihapravesham` are followed by the reception party for the newly married couple.
Weddings in Other Indian States
Likewise marriages of other states like Malayalee wedding, Marwari wedding, Punjabi wedding, Oriya wedding, Manipuri wedding, Maratha wedding, Telegu wedding, Kannada wedding, Rajput wedding, Maithil Brahmin wedding follow some basic rites and rituals along with pre and post marriage rituals. These marriages are enjoyed with great pleasure and much grandiosity. Indian wedding feasts are different in different regions of the country. The northern India marriages are unique due to Punjabi recipes, while western Indian marriages are affluent with Gujarati and Rajasthani dishes. Similarly the marriages in southern and eastern India, the delicacies famous there are served in the wedding feasts.
Indian wedding accessories are of ample importance as any Indian wedding remains incomplete without its primary necessities and accessories like wedding music, wedding songs, bridal jewellery, and bridal make up. The bridal lehenga, bridal accessories and bridal sarees are available in different patterns and styles across several stores of the cities.
Indian marriage customs are diversified due to the fact that India is a land of diverse culture and religion. Every region of the country has its own unique way of celebrating their marriage. Be it east, west, north and south all the four regions have its own wedding customs and rituals. Indian religious weddings are performed because India is the land of different religions and every religion has their own distinctness in the list of rites and rituals. Marriage rituals differ in India, according to their religion and sect. For instance the Sikh, Sindhi, Parsi, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian and many other religious groups dwell in India and thus have different marriage styles. The different rituals, norms and celebrations bring a feeling of integrity yet a dissimilar way of accepting the new member in the family.
