Popular rites in Indian Scriptures Indian rituals are one of the most ancient rituals, running down the contemporary era as crucial customs and practices. Many of these rituals are therefore not properly documented. During the earlier period,the scriptures were anxious to record only Vedic rituals and did not givea properRead More →

New Additions During the time of the Sutras, the marriage rituals had already been established and were advanced in nature. It was the ritualists, who had set the system and order pattern of the marriage ceremonies. The Post-Vedic period also saw many new additions and modifications along with assimilation ofRead More →

Bride’s Companion The word Lokni is derived from Lokan, to look. Lokni is an individual or a party, who accompanies the bride, when she leaves for the bridegroom’s place. In the older days, the rich families used to send servants and maids along with the bride. Even King Janaka hadRead More →

The Importance of Unhusked Rice The bride’s party brings a bundle of unhusked rice, durba grass and turmeric roots, after the performance of the Tilak ceremony. They are sorted out during the Lagan Kholana ceremony. The turmeric roots are crushed into paste during the Haldi ceremony. The unhusked rice isRead More →

Pre Marriage The Lagan for the marriage usually starts a few days earlier to the actual marriage day. The atmosphere and mood in the house of both the bride and bridegroom are indescribable and electrifying nature. There is a buzz of happiness permeating the atmosphere. This initiates the Shagun orRead More →

The Ritual Process The Katha is performed right after the Matkor and the Harish Gandhana ceremony. Katha is basically a recitation of stories from the Hindu Scriptures by the priests. Both the bride’s and bridegroom’s parents sit during the Katha as the Shrota or listener and as yajmaan or host.Read More →

Introduction India is a Hindu predominant country and is a land of unity and diversity. The convergence of different cultures and traditions on one single platform is the unique identity of the nation. People belonging to various religious communities and races live peacefully in India. People from Karnataka have theirRead More →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →