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 proper place to other purely popular rites and customs. Later on, the priests were forced by circumstances to recognize the latter as well.
Popular Vs. Vedic rites
The Paddhatis and the Prayogas on the marriage ceremonies, that are more practical than the ancient scriptures, incorporated many new elements under the auspices of the Samskaras. Remember, these popular rites called Paddhatis and Prayogas are those the origins of which are not properly traced and are rather inherited from earlier generations.
In different parts of India, different Paddhatis and Prayogas are followed. Consequently, the marriage ceremonies also differ in different localities. But religious and social conservatism is so strong in India that the main outlines of the Samskaras are continued from the Vedic period down to the present time, and their general features are universal throughout the country.
Lists of Paddhatis and Prayogas (popular rites)
Generally speaking, the following procedure is adopted in the Paddathis and the Prayogas:
Mandalika Gadadhara
|
1. Vagdana |
1. Vagdana |
|
2. Mandapakarana |
2. Mrdaharana |
|
3. Punyaha-vachana |
3. Haridralapana |
|
4. Varagamana |
4. Mandapa-nirmana |
|
5. Madhuparka |
5. Ganapati-pujana |
|
6. Vistaradana |
6. Samkalpa |
|
7. Gaurihara-puja |
7. Nandi-Sraddha |
|
8. KanyadaniyaJalasuddhi |
8. Vara-Varana |
|
9. Kanyadana |
9. Ghati-Sthapana |
|
10. Aksataropana |
10. Varagamana |
|
11. Kankarana-Bandhana |
11. Nirajana |
|
12. Ardraksataropana |
12. Madhuparka |
|
13. Tilakakarana |
13. Vara-puja |
|
14. Astaphalidana |
14. Agnisthapana |
|
15. Mangalasutrabandhana |
15. Vastra-paridhapana |
|
16. Ganapatipujana |
16. Samanjana |
|
17. Vadhuvaryoruttariya- Prantabandhana |
17. Gotrochchara |
|
18. Aksataropana |
18. Kanyadana |
|
19. Laksmi-Parvati-Sachipujana |
19. Pratigrahana |
|
20. Vapanadana |
20. Samiksana |
|
21. Vivaha-Homa |
21. Agni-Pradaksina |
|
22. Saptapadi |
22. VaivahikaHoma |
|
23. Grhapravesa-Homa |
23. Laja-Homa |
|
24. Arnidanam |
24. Panigrahana |
|
25. SvasurayaKanyarpana |
25. Asmarohana |
|
26. Devakotthapanam and Mandapodvasa |
26. Gathagana |
|
27. Grhapravesa |
27. SesaLaja-Homa with Parikrama |
|
28. Saptapadi |
28. Saptapadi |
|
29. Abhisinchana |
29. Abhisinchana |
|
30. Suryavalokana |
30. Suryavalokana |
|
31. Hrdaya-sparsa |
31. Hrdaya-sparsa |
|
32. Abhimantrana |
32. Abhimantrana |
|
33. Sindura-dana |
33. Sindura-dana |
|
34. Sitting on a bull-skin |
34. Sitting on a bull-skin |
|
35. Daksina to Acharya |
35. Daksina to Acharya |
|
36. Dhruva-darsana |
36. Dhruva-darsana |
|
37. Triratra-Vrata |
37. Triratra-Vrata |
|
38. Devakotthapana and Mandapodvasana |
38. Devakotthapana and Mandapodvasana |
|
39. Vadhupravesa |
39. Vadhupravesa |
|
40. Chaturthikarma |
40. Chaturthikarma |