Hinduu Marriage Arranged and Ceremony
Hinduu Marriage Arranged and Ceremony
Wedding Card Getting married is a very important step in life. For Hindus th marriage is the 13 Samskara. This is the 13th step in the journey of life. Traditional Hindu marriage was strictly based on absolute trust, mutual affection, capacity to adjust and sharing the responsibilities equally.
hands
The priest lights the sacred fire. Promises in a Hindu marriage are made before God, who is believed to be present in the form of a sacred fire as a witness to the ceremony.
The brides father and mother will offer the groom a special drink of yoghurt, milk and honey. The groom gives it to the bride, she tastes it to make sure its safe and offers it to the groom. He takes a sip. He will only drink it once his bride has told him that it is safe. This shows that the couple will have to trust each other when they are married. The brides father will join the bride and grooms scarves with a special knot. They will have to walk around the sacred fire 4 times. The brides cousins will pour rice into their hands. This symbolises that the couples will grow together and love one another. As the couple walks round the sacred fire four times. The bride leads the groom around the sacred fire. They offer rice between each circle. The last circle the groom leads. This reminds him of his responsibility to his wife. The next stage is the most important they take seven steps. The couple recites the following words as they walk round the fire.
With God as our guide, let us take: the first step to nourish each other the second step to grow together in strength the third to preserve our wealth the forth to share our joys and sorrows the fifth to care for our children the sixth step to be together forever the seventh step to remain life long friends, the perfect halves to make a perfect whole Then the groom says, With the seven steps we become friends. Let me reach your friendship. Let me not be severed from your friendship. Let your friendship not be severed from me. These steps help the bride and groom to see that in their marriage they will walk together and carry out these seven duties
The priest offers the groom Kum Kum ( red powder , which is also known as Sindhoor)) and the groom puts a red mark on the bride head-hair parting, symbolising her as a married woman.
The couple might not like each other. Love will grow in an arranged marriage. The couple will not be in love when they get married. Your parents know you well and will choose a suitable partner. Dating and finding your own partner is fun. You might be in love with someone else. Your parents will approve of your partner. Every person should have the right to choose who they want to marry. You dont have to worry about finding a partner marriage is guaranteed. Your parents dont know what your type of partner is like. You will have a lot in common with your partner. Sometimes people get caught up in love and do not get to know the person well enough.
1. Look at the box below. Put the marriage ceremony in the correct order, and for each stage say what the ritual symbolises.
Ceremony
The priest joins the groom and brides hands. The priest lights the sacred fire
Order Symbolism
Flower garlands are exchanged between the groom and the bride
The brides father joins the couples scarf. The bride leads the groom around the sacred fire four times. They offer rice between each circle. The last circle the groom leads. The priest makes a mixture and the groom puts a red mark on the bride head-hair parting. The brides father gives her a mixture of yoghurt, milk and honey. The groom gives it to the bride she tastes it to make sure its safe and offers it to the groom. He takes a sip. The couple take seven steps they make a promise to each other. Food, strength, prosperity, well-being, children, happy seasons, friendship.
The male cousins pour rice on the brides hands and put it into the sacred fire. 2. In what ways do you think the ceremony sums up the purpose and the promises for marriage? Is there anything missing? Is there anything you would change? Explain your answer and try to give reasons.
Arranged Marriages
I am going to discuss
Some people would say that arranged marriages are good idea because
Parents know what it is like to be married and know what to look for in a good partner.
Parents will only choose someone who will make their son or daughter happy.
Parents will be able to see the person clearly. They will see their good points and their bad points.
You will come to love the person after you have married them.
You will know better than your parents the kind of person you will get on with. Your parents should help you even if they have not chosen the person you marry.
The day before the wedding there is a puja at the brides home. She is given a scarf and bangles. Mendhi patterns are drawn on her feet and hands.
The day before the wedding there is a puja at the grooms home. He is given a scarf with the Hindu symbol of love on it.
The brides parents give the groom a special drink. He will only drink it after his wife has told him it is good.
The bride and grooms scarves are joined together with a special knot.
The bride and groom walk around the fire 4 times. Rice is poured into their hands.
When they walk round the fire the 7 steps have a special meaning.