Adi Perukku
2017-12-21
The occasion of Adi is celebrated after the first year of marriage, in the Adimasam or the month of Adi (16 Jul-16 Aug).Read More →
Agni Sthapana
2018-02-26
The Mantra Chanted The mantra that is chanted before the lighting of the Hawankund is, “This fire as an earliest pervading force of the worldly objects first shines in the dawn and thereafter in the daylight. This fire shines in the different rays of the sun and extends its essenceRead More →
Arrival at the Bridegroom’s house
2018-02-26
Arrival of the Procession Marriage is a big event in the lives of Hindus. The bridal car along with the bridal party approaches the bridegroom’s place, with much pomp, fanfare and splendor. Musical processions usually follow the bridal party, symbolizing the arrival of happiness and good wishes. During the OldRead More →
Arya Samaj’s Influence
2018-02-26
The Telugu Tradition The Arya Samaj Movement, propounded and promoted by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, heavily influenced the Telugu culture. After the sensitization of the Telugu identity and creation of Andhra Pradesh, there was again a force for revival of these customs and tradition. Telugu Hindu marriages are till date performedRead More →
Bhat Khawai
2018-02-26
Bride’s Parents visit the Bridegroom During the occasion of Bhat Khawai, the bride’s parents are invited by the bridegroom’s parents, at their place, after the passage of sometime after marriage. Many parents are reluctant to accept the invitation, because they think that their daughter has been offered in Kanyadan orRead More →
Bidai
2018-02-26
The Emotional Turn Bidai or bridal departure is a very important occasion in Hindu marriage custom. It is also considered as very poignant and heartrending. It is the moment or instance, when the bride departs from her paternal home towards the place of her in-laws. There is a lot ofRead More →
Blessing with water
2018-02-26
Bride Blessing Ceremony Water, one of the five elements of nature, is considered very auspicious in many Hindu rituals. It is believed to have medicinal, purifying and sanctifying properties. Thus, water is sprinkled over the head of the bride, to congratulate her and wish her good resolve. Along with water,Read More →
Change of name
2018-02-26
Importance of Name Change Ceremony Sacred formulas and ritualistic charms have been practiced since time immemorial, to ward off evil spirits and influences. The Hindu marriage manuals also stress upon this fact and suggest the practice of these holy activities. The nature of marriage is considered very critical, owing toRead More →
Chawka Puja
2018-02-26
Chawka Sanctified Chawka is a ritual space at the bridegroom’s place, where a Puja is performed after the marriage. The Vedi and Harish are brought from the actual Maroh at the bride’s place and placed at the open makeshift Maroh. The Chawka is sanctified with sacred verses. Gods and GoddessesRead More →
Chumawan
2018-02-26
Post-Marriage Ritual The Chumawan ceremony is performed after completion of the marriage procedures. Five married women from the bride’s family, whose husbands are alive, perform the Chumawan ceremony for both the Dulha (bridegroom) and Dulhan (bride). During the ceremony, both the bride and the bridegroom are blessed with rice. ItRead More →
Crossing the Threshold
2018-02-26
Bride’s brother’s arrival The occasion of threshold crossing is observed a couple of days after the marriage. The brother of the bride comes to receive the bride from her in-laws place. He brings sweetmeats and niceties for her in-laws family. The time is fixed by the priest, in accordance withRead More →
Devta Puja
2018-02-26
Worship to Kul Devta The Kul Devtas or the family Gods and Goddesses are ardently worshipped by most of the ladies of the families. The following rituals are usually performed to worship the Kul Devtas: o Vandana or Prayers o Sandhya or Lighting of the lamps o Jaap or MantrasRead More →
Distrbution of Soaked Grams
2018-02-26
The Khoinchaeo Tradition Khoinchaeo is actually the tradition of giving soaked grams to women, at an auspicious occasion. It is especially very popular in and around the Gangetic Belt, and is in existence even till this date. The grams are soaked overnight in huge bamboo baskets and are left toRead More →
Ganth Bandhan
2018-02-26
Welcoming Bride Also known as Granthi Bandhan, the Ganth Bandhan ceremony is generally performed after the Pant Grahan rites. In some places, it is also performed after the Saptapadi rites and at other places after the Laja Homa ceremony. During this ceremony, the presiding priest requests the bride’s sister-in-law toRead More →
Gharbharai
2018-02-26
The Ritual The word Gharbharai literally means filling of the house. This ceremony symbolizes prosperity and is a folk tradition performed by the ladies of the bride’s house. This ceremony usually takes place at the Kohbar, where both the bride and bridegroom face eastwards or northwards and hold their cuppedRead More →
Godan Ceremony
2018-02-26
The Role of Bride’s Father The Godan ceremony is a tradition of Hindus, in which a cow or gold is gifted to the bridegroom by the bride’s parents. It is usually performed after the Madhupurka ceremony. The bride’s father utters three times, “gao, gao, gaoprattgrihyatam”. This practice originated from theRead More →
Gotrachara
2018-02-26
The Importance of Gotra The Gotrachara is performed just before the bride is gifted away to the family of the bridegroom. During this ceremony, the Gotra or lineage, parvara and the names of the ancestors of both the families are declared aloud. The names are then written down in aRead More →
Grah Puja
2018-02-26
The Method of Puja The Nav Graha Puja literally means the puja ceremony performed to propitiate the nine planets. It is usually performed after the Kalash Sthapana and the Matri Puja. The nine planets are represented by the nine bamboo poles, which are erected at the Maroh. Eight poles areRead More →
Haldi On The Wedding Day
2018-02-26
The Ceremony Previously Haldi used to be applied for several days, for almost a week, in the Kohbar area. However, with the passage of time, the Haldi ceremony has been restricted only to the day of marriage. The ceremony begins early in the morning, and both the bride and theRead More →
Kankan Bhandhan
2018-02-26
The Sacred Thread Exchange A little piece of the nail from the bridegroom’s finger is cut and tied on piece of sacred thread and worn on the left wrist of the bride. In a similar manner, a piece of thread ties a piece of nail from the bride’s finger ontoRead More →