India is known for its rich traditions. The diverse Indian culture makes it all the more enthralling and appealing. The same is true with weddings as there are different amazing styles with a variety of religions and each has its own specialty, which makes it all the more exciting for Indians to attend the marriage ceremony.
Marriages in India are a grand celebration and are held in the most unique manner possible as it’s a dream day as observed by both bride and groom. The preparation starts at least 6-8 months prior as there are certain customs and traditions specific to each religion being followed in India. Be it east, west, north, or south, all the marriage functions in India are celebrated with great gusto and fervour.
Not only the couple and their families, but even guests are all the more excited to attend and get a look and feel of the wedding event. The ambience matters to them a lot and is something they always remember and try to replicate in their own family marriage celebration.
Hindu marriages in India typically imply customs, rituals, and elaborative celebrations. A traditional Hindu wedding ceremony usually lasts for 4-5 days. The event is categorized into 3 parts; pre-wedding ceremony, main day ceremony, and post-wedding ceremony. If you are planning to have a traditional wedding in India, then the best way to organize is through Indian wedding planners as they are experts in this segment and could help you in and out.
Let’s look at the different wedding styles followed in India. These styles are unique to each religion and follow certain traditions which are coming along from ancestral times, and they are the ones to ensure everything is followed properly right from the beginning of the event celebration.
1. Maharashtrian Wedding
This is how a typical Marathi bride & groom look.
The engagement ceremony is known as Sakhar Puda in this culture. Enchanting the 7 wedding vows, the bride and groom together encircle the holy fire 7 times while performing the ritual of Saptapadi.
2. Bengali Wedding
‘Saat Paak’, a ritual wherein the bride encircles the groom seven times by covering her face with betel leaves, which is then followed by Shubhodrishti, another ritual in which the leaves are removed and the couple’s eyes can then meet.
3. Jain Weddings
Three pre-wedding ceremonies Lagana Lekhan, Lagna Patrika, and Sagai along with Pheras and Kanya Daan constitute the wedding ritual for this community.
4. Punjabi Wedding
After a bride receives a chuda, the Ghara Ghardoli ceremony takes place. The couple exchange garlands on the wedding night and other wedding rituals are then performed.
5. Sikh Wedding
This is similar to the Panjabi wedding. Only that it takes place during the day in Gurudwara, where the Ardaas are recited.
6. Gujarati Wedding
Exchange of Jaimaalas followed by mangal pheras, wherein the couple encircles the holy fire four times.
7. Christian Wedding
Here, the priest reads the psalm and the couple takes the vows. In another grand reception event, people feast, sing, and dance to celebrate the occasion.
8. Kashmiri Wedding
Kashmiri weddings are similar to those of Hindus. Diugun ceremony is performed and the fathers of a couple enjoy nutmeg as a symbol of their friendship.
9. Marwari Wedding
Pithi Dastoor is one of the important pre-wedding ceremonies performed. Then there is a tradition of pheras and kanya daan.
10. Muslim Wedding
Nikah is read by two priests and the pious Nikah Naama is signed. Thereafter, the gathering is addressed with Khutba-tun-nikah and then a mirror is placed between the couple, wherein their eyes meet for the first time.
11. Malyali Wedding
A conjugal ceremony called Velli is performed. Marriage gets complete when the groom ties a thali or yellow thread around the bride’s neck.
12. Kannada Wedding
The face of a bride is covered with a fan made of peacock feathers. Then the Dhare Herdu ritual followed by Satapadi is performed. Kannada marriage is more similar to tamil wedding.
