Hindu marriage ceremony with red threads around the wrist

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"Tom looks great on his wedding day doesn't he? I won't say it's funny to see ... Congratulations to Tom and Susan on their wedding. And since it's election week ..."

A traditional Hindu wedding is a complex and lengthy ceremony blending rituals and traditions nearly 4,000 years old. More than a legal connection, a Hindu wedding not only unites the bride and groom, but also creates ties between families. Although many variations on the marriage ceremony exist, a common tradition involves the tying of a red thread around the wrists of the bride and groom, or the groom alone, to ward off evil influences that might threaten the couple on this important day.

1. An Ancient Tradition

   • The traditional Hindu marriage ceremony draws on the customs and rituals of an ancient society, with some adaptations to modern life. Usually performed in Sanskrit, the ceremony may now be conducted in both Sanskrit and English. Although wedding traditions vary depending on location and other cultural factors, many aspects of the ceremony are shared by all, reflecting a common spiritual and philosophical foundation. Rituals of purification, dedication and protection from evil accompany all parts of the wedding, from pre-wedding preparations to the ceremony itself.

   Preparation for the Wedding

   • Pre-wedding rituals are dedicated to purifying the bride and groom and protecting them from harm. Both spouses-to-be may be bathed before the wedding in their own homes, a tradition that includes anointing with oils and fragrances such as sandalwood. The bride's palms and feet are decorated with Mahendi, designs created with henna. In Sikh wedding ritual, a red thread is tied to the right wrist of the groom and the left wrist of the bride at this time, as a protection from evil and bad omens.

   Wedding Traditions

   • Hindu wedding ceremonies have several parts, reflecting the spiritual and philosophical foundations of the ritual. The presence of God is invoked, as Lord Ganesh and other aspects of deity. In Southern Indian tradition, a red thread may be tied around the wrist of the groom during the ceremony to ward off evil influences. A sacred fire may be lit, and the couple make offerings of ghee and rice, walking around the fire four times. The groom gives the bride a necklace of gold to symbolize the start of a new life. The couple exchange vows and feed each other sweets to symbolize their first meal together, and the priest offers a blessing on their union.

   Significance

   • In Sanskrit, the word for marriage is vivaaha, or "what supports or carries," reflecting the view of marriage as a rite that creates a union that supports and sustains the couple and their families.

Source: www.ehow.com

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