Royal Weddings in India
Indian Royal Wedding
Marriages are made in heaven. But wedding are celebrated here on
earth. It is a fusion of traditions, emotions, enthusiasm of
relations, sanctity and celebrations associated with marriages in
India that make the Indian wedding extremely enchanting. Adding to all
this is the vibrancy and regality of the processions, the convenience
of the organization and comfort of the invited guests that make
weddings in the tourists cities of Rajasthan an
occasion-extraordinaire for the families involved.
In today’s trying times when getting the best in
the minimal time is a concern for all, Rajasthan has emerged as the
first preferred place to organize family functions as grand as a
wedding. No wonder that with a rare combine of convenience, comfort,
grandeur, ambience and accessibility posit Rajasthan as the country’s
favorite hub for - Dream Weddings.
Rajasthan Travel Service, being a leading tour operator in the
state of Rajasthan with a large number of foreign tourists visiting
Rajasthan through us, has organized such regal weddings for its
foreign clients – who are interested to experience the romance of
traditional Hindu wedding.
INDIAN MARRIAGE CEREMONY
Mehndi - A day before the wedding the palm and feet of the
bride and her friends & relatives are decorated with Mehndi (Henna).
During this processes special Indian wedding songs are sung by
friends/ relatives and local singers. Tea / coffee, soft drinks with
sweets & snacks are served to the guests.
Wedding Procession - A traditional “Barat” or procession
starts from the Groom’s house and moves to Bride’s (Marriage venue)
place. The Groom sits on a decorated horse and moves in a caravan form
with his friends & relatives. The caravan is led by a band and the
“Baratis” (friends & relatives) dance on the beats of the band . (
This caravan can be made more attractive by adding decorated Camels &
Elephants)
On reaching at the gates of the Brides place (Marriage venue) the
groom & Baraties are welcomed by Brides relatives and friend with Arti
/ Tikka and garlands.
All wedding ceremonies takes place under Mandap (well decorated
canopy - specially decorated for the ceremony invokes blessings of God
for the couple to be married) under the auspices of a hindu priest.
 First
step :
The groom is taken to Mandap where he waits for bride to arrive to
exchange Garlands with each other – This is called “VARMALA”
Second step :
The bride and the bridegroom face each other, and the priest ties
their garments (the bride's saree to the groom's shirt) in a knot,
symbolizing the sacred union. The bride and the bridegroom garland
each other and exchange the rings. Next the nuptial fire, symbolizing
the divine witness, and the sanctifier of the sacrament, is installed
and worshipped. Both the bride and the groom grasp their hands
together and pray to God for His blessings. Samagree, consisting of
crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar, rice, ghee (clarified butter), and
twigs is offered into the sacred fire to seek God's blessings for the
couple.
Third Step :
This is the most important rite of the entire ceremony. Here the bride
and the bridegroom take seven steps together around teh nuptial fire (Agni)
and make the following seven promises to each other :As per the Vedic
rituals, the bridegroom sings the following : With God as Our Guide,
Let Us Take,
• the first step to nourish each other
• the second step to grow together in strength
• the third step to preserve our wealth
• the fourth step to share our joys and sorrows
• the fifth step to care for our children
• the sixth step to be together forever
• the seventh step to remain lifelong friends,
• the perfect halves to make a perfect whole.
After the seventh step he makes her remain where she is and says:
"With seven steps we become friends. Let me reach your friendship. Let
me not be severed from your friendship. Let your friendship not be
severed from me." The Saptapadi ceremony concludes with a prayer that
the union is indissoluble. At the end of this ceremony, the bridegroom
and bride become husband and wife. In some communities such as
Gujarati, instead of seven, only four steps, signifying Artha,
Dharma, Kama and Moksha are taken.
Fourth Step :
The bride accepts her change of status from an unmarried woman to a
wife by spreading turmeric powder on her hands. Kanya Danam is
performed by the father (or uncle of guardian) of the bride in
presence of a large gathering that is invited to witness the wedding.
The father pours out a libation of sacred water symbolizing the giving
away of the daughter to the bridegroom. The groom recites Vedic hymns
to Kama, the God of love, for pure love and blessings. As a condition
for offering his daughter for marriage, the father of the bride
requests a promise from the groom for assisting the bride in realizing
the three ends : dharma, artha, and kama. The groom makes the
promise by repeating three times that he will not fail the bride in
realizing dharma, artha and kama.
After the Kanya Danam guests joins the groom & the Bride for
dinner then after the last ceremony is the “Vidai” the send off
of the Groom / Bride and the Barathies.
WEDDING COSTUMES & JEWELERY
For Groom : Sherwani ( the embroidered long coat, turban with
feather and broach tugged on, turban & tight trousers while in
procession the Groom’s face is covered with flower leads.
For Bride : Silk embroidered long skirt / top & shawl, Glass &
Lac bangles, Earrings, Necklace and other bridal jewellery.
For Guests / relative & friends : free to wear their best
clothes of their choice or can wear traditional costumes like long
coat / tight trousers etc.
Venue Decoration and illumination : The venue is well decorated
with flowers of different variety like Marigold / rose etc. Entire
venue is lit up with ferry lights and bright halogen lights.
To perform the entire show will cost from US $ 1500.00 onwards.
The cost includes:
1. Heena / Mehandi painting
2. Band / Horse / Camel / Elephant for Procession
3. Dress for Groom and Bride on use for marriage purpose only.
4. Venue and its decoration and illumination.
5. The Mandap & other marriage ceremony materials.
6. Services of hindu priest
7. Dinner for approximately 40 to 45 guests. |
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