In India the actual wedding ceremony would commonly take place at the brides house, but in Britain the bride’s local hall or temple would be hired for the ceremony. The place at which the wedding would take place would not affect any of the rituals. Before the wedding began food had already been cooked and kept in silver trays before the guests arrived. The tables had clean white table cloths put on them with embroideries using red and gold coloured thread around the edges, along with identical flower arrangements in the middle. A little present of sugared almonds wrapped in red and gold netting was placed at the tables where each guest would sit. The Mandap, canopy under which the holy marriage rituals would be performed had been erected at the back of the hall. The four bamboo pillars that are used to make it had already been blessed, in a ceremony called ‘Mandap Ropan’. Red and gold cloths with elaborate patterns on them covered it, these must have been hand embroidered, and incense had been kept burning in the front two corners. Two antique gold coloured chairs were placed under it for the bride and groom. At the centre of the Mandap is the sacred fire, which had already been lit and was roaring in all its holy glory, the fire was contained in a large bowl, it is the most important component of all Indian Ceremonies.
The bride’s family were already at the hall as the guests began to arrive to greet them, adult females were dressed in Sari’s, and us young girls wore an Indian outfit consisting of a skirt and matching top adorned with mirrors and beads. The men wore a Kafni (a long shirt extending to the knees) with pijamo (leggings), this is also what the groom would wear, no one wore any dark colours such as black because weddings are joyous occasions. Anika was wearing a stunning red and white sari, draped modestly over her hair, along with plenty of gold jewellery, bangles, anklets and earrings that joined to a piece in her hair, which was done up in a bun entwined with fresh white flowers. I find it unusual how a number of English words derive from Indian words for example pijamo sounds like pyjama and it has a similar meaning.
After about half an hour Arun, dressed in a white and gold patterned outfit arrived with his close family. He entered the hall holding a coconut and a garland of flowers for Anika. Received by his future mother-in-law he presented her with the coconut, and touched her feet as a sign of respect, she applied red kum- kum powder to his forehead .The brides parents then escorted the groom and his best man to the Mandap to be seated. Once he was seated the bride came out with her garland of flowers, and they both exchanged their garlands before sitting down. After everyone was seated the priest started a puja, by worshiping lord Ganesh, asking him to be present at the prestigious occasion. It is believed that his presence ensures the smooth running of all ceremonies as he removes any obstacles that may be faced, thereby bringing happiness and prosperity. The priest then blessed the sacred fire, and poured sacred oblations of wood, grains and ghee into it.
Shirarohan is another major stage in the ceremony, when Anika placed her foot on a stone at the corner of the Mandap. Whilst doing this Arun told her to be as firm as the stone as she will come to face the vagaries of human nature. I found his words very touching.
Another major stage in the wedding ceremony was when the bride and groom circulated around the sacred fire four times. This was done as in the Hindu religion it is believed that we as humans have four goals to achieve throughout our lives, these are that of Dharma (Duty), Artha (wealth), Kama (pleasure) and Moksha (the liberation from the continuous cycle of life and death). Each round around the fire symbolises one of the duties.
Next Anika and Arun went around the sacred fire for the last time, taking just seven steps and for each step they took a vow together representing their commitment to each other and their marriage. The couple were joined together by a holy thread and held hands as they did this. You could see the happiness in Anika and Shivagi’s faces beaming out. Each step they took symbolised in this order food, strength, wealth and prosperity, good fortune and wisdom, children and fertility, the seasons and the enjoyment of pleasures and finally for the seventh step a close union and everlasting friendship. Whilst standing the groom put some vermilion in the parting of the Anika’s hair, the powder represented the life giving blood that flows in all of us. He then gave her an auspicious necklace called a ‘Mangalsutra’ to signify their marriage; this is made of gold and glass beads.
Finally the priest offered ghee into the sacred fire thereby completing the wedding ceremony, and for the last time blessed the couple for there future together. It was also then that we, the relatives and guests could great the newly married couple, and shower them with our blessings of usually flowers and rice.
Watching such an elaborate and time taking event is truly wonderful. The extent of effort that is put into any Hindu wedding that is similar to the one I have described is without a doubt evident.
