Hinduism+Weddings

The marriage ritual called the "vivah" is one of the most important out of the 16 special events in a Hindus life. They move on to th ashrama ( a stage of life) where they go from student to householder. Traditionally Hindus have married Hindus when the marriage is arranged which is the same for a arranged Jewish or Muslim wedding. The brides parents will give a dowry, (a gift of property, money, or land to help the couples start there lives together. When a Hindu girl is 18 and a Hindu male has reached 21 it is legal to get married.

There are two main places where Hindus live. The majority of Hindus live in India, and some live in America. Depending on weather they are Indian Hindus or American Hindus changes how they view and celebrate a marraige. Also depending on where in India or America they live may change what the wedding will be like.

A common Engagement .... A traditional engagement is like any other, with an engagement ring.

At a Hindu Wedding...

Clothing The bride will dress in a very elaborately gorges sari and a bindi (the mark on her forehead which symbolizes marrage) and gold jewelry. They also had red hennah dye on there hands and feet much like Muslims have mehndi painted on there hands for there wedding. Like in a Jewish wedding are dressed in a Muslim wedding they are dressed in a traditional white robe. Also they may wear a ceremonial hat (like a yarmake Jews may wear).

Where does the wedding take place... The ceremony will take place in the brides local mandir (or temple). Which is like a Jew getting married in there temple or a Islam getting married in there mosk. There wedding may also take place in a public all or the brides family's home. Many times the couple will arrive at the wedding on a horse.

Mandaps Manddaps is the decorated canopy that the bride and groom will sit under while the priest will perform the ceremony. (This is the Chuppah in the Jewish religion.) This is when the there may be prayers and solem words.

Saptapadi The sapatiadi is the lighting of the very sacred flame. The most important marriage ritual. This is when the couple will take satapadi or the seven steps together. Theses steps or promises include food, strength, wealth, fortune, children, happy times, and friendship for the rest of there lives together. This is like the signing of the Ketubah in a Jewish wedding, and the wedding contract for Islams.

After the ceremonial part of the wedding there will be dancing, music, food, and fireworks. Just like many other weddings. Such as a Jewish wedding and a Muslim wedding.

Bibliography

Becher, Itmik.. Living traditions by Itmik Becher. New York: Mallard Press, 1993.

Comparative religions on file. New York: Facts on File, c2000.

Ciltation: Esposito, John L.. Islam. New York: Oxford University Press 1998

Judaism Weddings Islam Weddings