Royal Wedding in India
Wedding is one of the most momentous moments for a person, which marks the beginning of a new life. People in different parts of the world celebrate it in their own traditional ways. Floral decorations, commemorative meal, the just-right atmosphere through music and dance, the well thought-out venue are some of the components of a dream wedding. Experience our ceremonies, wedding rituals and the indispensable lavishness, which are sure to add on to your festivity. Come and enjoy a Royal Indian Wedding in India.
With custom-made and comprehensive services for our guests, we at TSI holidays (A subsidiary of Travel Spirit International) are committed to make your celebration a cherished one. Be it Lavish Indian wedding, Royal Indian Wedding or Traditional Hindu Wedding, with our exclusive services you can sit back and enjoy your dream wedding come to a reality. Make this event hassle-free as we take care of all your requirements from the beginning till the end. With our wide range of services, we are sure to offer you a delightful experience. Pick any of the Palace locations and venues from the exclusive range on offer and allow us to plan this most important day of your life and make it an unforgettable one.
If you want it Royal then what can be a better venue than Rajasthan, the imperial land of the ancient Maharajas. The royal weddings can take place in the majestic forts and palaces of Rajasthan. A wide range of luxurious palace hotels and exclusive boutique hotels are located at the prime locations of the state. These hotels are either located in the heart of the city or the conveniently situated where accessibility is not a problem. The royal hospitality at the hotels makes Rajasthan an ideal royal wedding destination.
The major cities in the state of Rajasthan- Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur- host a number of such hotels. Some forts that have been turned into heritage hotels include all the modern amenities and services. This offers a unique blend of ancient heritage of the past and the up-to-date facilities of the present. The beautifully decorated lawns, poolside area and banquet halls offer an ideal setting for theme parties.
The Wedding Ceremony
Wedding is a very special occasion of ones life. On the wedding day both the groom and the bride keep fast. One of the younger female relatives of the groom and his best man accompanies the groom when he leaves from his house. Their job is to carry a metal pot filled with coins and a betel nut which they need to shake over the groom's head to prevent him from dozing off.
As the groom's car prepare to leave his house, some of his younger female relatives stops his car and demands a 'gift'. A mandap or a four pole canopy at a center stage is set for the wedding. Most of the wedding ceremony takes place here. The sacred fire that burns at the mandap symbolizes illumination of mind, happiness and knowledge.
The bride and the groom perform various rituals, while the fire and their relatives witness their marriage. The priest's mantras are recited from the Vedas during the following majoy stages of the Hindu ceremony:
- Coconut - a symbol of fertility
- Fresh flowers - a symbol of beauty
- Rice, jaggery and other grains - a symbol of the food necessary for nourishment of human life
- Ghee (purified butter) - a symbol of food to the sacred fire
- Kumkum (vermilion) - a symbol of good luck. This also signifies that your soul (husband) is with you
Ganesh Puja
Any auspicious ceremony begins with offering prayers to Lord Ganesha. Hence, wedding ceremony is also initiated with Ganesh puja. According to Hindu religion, this puja helps to remove hurdles in the path of success and helps to build a harmonious and loving relationship between a wife and a husband.
Grah Shanti (Worship to the Nine Planets)
Worshipping Nine Planets is also necessary before wedding rituals commence. According to Hindu religion and ancient Indian studies, it is believed that the nine planets have a great influence on our lives and fate. Hence, while performing this puja, prayer is offered to the Gods of nine planets in order to seek strength and peace for the bride and the groom.
The Welcome (Parchan)
During this event, the bridegroom is welcomed by the bride's mother with garlands and flowers. Then he is taken to the place of wedding called 'mandap' accompanied by friends and cousins. His right foot is washed with a combination of milk and honey by bride's father. Finally, a white sheet is held in front of the bride groom so that he cannot see the bride.
Arrival of the Bride
The bride arrives with her maternal uncle or 'mama' along with her friends and cousins. However, in some other marriage ceremonies, the bride arrives in the mandap in a small carriage.
Kanyadaan (Entrusting of the Daughter)
During this event in the marriage ceremony, the parents of the bride entrust their daughter and her responsibility to the bridegroom in the 'hastamelap'. Hastamelap is the joining of the hands of the bride and the groom. The right hands of both bride and groom are joined together and sacred hymns are chanted. It is during this time that the white sheet is removed and the groom can see the bride. The priest also places a white sacred cloth on the shoulder of the groom and the bride so that they are protected from evil powers.
Mangalfera (walking around the fire)
Encircling around the fire is an important event in the Hindu marriage without which the wedding is incomplete. The couple walks 4 times around the fire and each time they touch a stone in their path, which is the symbol of various obstacles in life. They vow to overcome hurdles together. Basically, thee 4 circles around the fire is for the four goals in human life. These include:
- Dharma or morality and righteousness
- Artha or monetary achievement
- Kama or liveliness and excitement
- Moksha or liberated from human existence
- The groom leads in the first 3 rounds, which suggests that he would help to achieve dharma, artha and kama together. However, the bride would help to lead to the path of moksha in the fourth round.
Saptapadi (seven steps)
Seven Steps or 'Saptapadi' is one of the significant events in the wedding ceremony. During this episode, the bride and the groom take seven steps around the fire. According to Hindu religion, walking around the fire would unite the two souls together for seven years. The couple begins the circle with exchange of vows. And as the bride completes the circle, her hand is filled with puffed rice by her brother. This signifies that bride's family should always be happy with heath, wealth and prosperity. The exchange of vows by the couple in each step is:
- First Step: They vow to always keep a pure diet and avoid things that may harm them.
- Second Step: They vow to develop their mental, physical and spiritual powers together.
- Third Step: They vow to build up their wealth by proper and fair means.
- Fourth Step: They vow to obtain knowledge together and bring happiness in their relation by respecting and trusting each other in every circumstance.
- Fifth Step: They vow to pray together to God for righteous, honest and strong children.
- Sixth Step: They vow for long life and self-discipline.
- Seventh Step: They vow to remain friends and soul mates forever by this matrimony.
Aashirvaad (blessings)
During this time, the new couple seeks blessings or 'ashirvaad' from the priest and other family members and relatives. All of them shower flowers mixed with grains of rice on the couple and bless them for a happy married life ahead. Later on, the couple seeks individual blessings from the guests. The marriage ceremony is concluded with this significant event. Then, guests are invited to enjoy the wedding meal with the newly wedded couple.
Viddai (Bride's departure)
This is the most painful moment for a bride, when she has to leave her family and parents behind and head towards her in-laws place. She bids farewell to her family and friends in order to initiate a new journey with her husband in a new family and at a new place. Her emotions are a blend of grief and bliss.
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