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Rituals
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Rituals Of Gujarati Marriage
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Gujaratis make matches for their daughters and sons within the communities. The
tradition is that the girl should not be very highly education. If the girl
becomes more educated then it is become difficult for the father to find a
suitable match for her. Gujaratis prefer that the boy and girl see each other
and take the decision of marrying or not marrying for that matter.
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Dress
Saree is the usual bridal wear for the Gujarati girls. They wear the saree in a
bit different style though. Red is the color which is thought to be most
auspicious for the occasion. Although the Gujarati groom wear traditional kurta
dhoti. Nowdays they are going for the formal suits.
Grih puja
Ghari Puja is carried out in the respective homes of the couple. The priest
performs the prayers with rice, coconut, wheat grains, oil, betel nuts,
turmeric and a number of other spices. Married ladies grind wheat on a small
old-fashioned grinder symbolizing that the home will always be prosperous. The
groom offers a handful of grains to the priest indicating that although he is
changing his lifestyle, he will always give to charity and look after those
less fortunate than himself.
Sagaai
The Sagaai is the engagement ceremony and begins when the bride-to-be arrives
at the groom-to-be's place with the matli, a package that represents good luck.
The matli is a container which is now often made of steel and contains sweets
and gifts for the groom and his family. This symbolizes the bride's family's
acceptance of the union of their daughter and the groom-to-be.
Welcoming
There is a custom in which the groom's mother trying to grab his nose implying
that he has finally arrived. She tires to rub her nose at her door and make him
ask for her daughter's hand in marriage. It invokes the intended hilarity among
the onlookers.
Madhurparka
It's a ritual which involves the washing of the groom's feet while sitting
under the "Mandap". He is then offered milk and honey. It is at this time that
the saalis (sister-in-law) will try to steal the groom's shoes. Traditionally
the groom must leave the wedding with the same pair of shoes that he enters
with. If his shoes are stolen, he must offer the sisters money in order to get
them back.
Antarpaat:
The Gujarati custom entails that the bride's maternal uncle (mama) carries the
bride to the mandap. There, the curtain known as Antarpaat separates the bride
and groom is lowered and the couple put garlands in each other's necks.
Hasta Milap
The bride and groom's hands are tied with a cloth in a symbolic marital knot
and they take vows to honour their commitment to each other.
Kanya Daan
The wedding rituals are performed in front of a sacred fire and conducted by
the acharya. The rituals begin with the kanya daan where in the bride is given
away by her parents. As a ritual bride's parents abstain from eating to make
themselves pure in body and mind for the occasion. Their folded hands during
Kanya daan ceremony reflect the hope that their son-in-law will take good care
of their daughter and never cause her pain. They wash his feet, as they believe
that he is none other than the Lord Vishnu, to whom they are handing, over his
rightful consort, the Goddess Laxmi in the form of their daughter.
Pheras
The couple goes around the sacred fire as the acharya chants mantras. also, and
seeks the loving support of his wife.
Saptapadi
The Saptapadi or seven steps is another important ritual of the Gujarati
wedding ceremony. In this, the groom recites mantras, which express his heart's
desire. The bride and groom walk around the sacred fire seven times repeating
their marital vows.
At the beginning of each 'parikrama' or circumvention, a vow is taken. The
couple is then proclaimed man and wife and the ceremony is completed with the
groom tying the 'mangalsutra' on the bride.
The couple then leaves the 'mandap' to seek the blessings of the elders of both
families by touching their feet.
Vadava venu
The bride bids a tearful farewell to her parents, family and friends. The
'pujari' performs a small 'puja' for the decorated car by applying 'tikka' to
the hood. The bride's mother breaks a coconut in front of the car, invoking
blessings for a safe journey for the couple. The bride and groom leave
accompanied by at least three others . The bride's brothers usually drop her to
her new home.
Aeki Beki
At the groom's house, they play a game called "Aeki-beki". In this, several
coins and a ring are placed in a tray of water covered by milk and vermilion.
It is believed that the person who finds the ring four times first, would be
the ruler of the house
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