Hinduism- Marriage (Vivah)

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.

Before the Wedding Ceremony

The priest will cast a horoscope for the bride and groom; this will helped them decide on the date of the wedding. At the brides home The day before the wedding the priest will hold a puja (worship) at the brides home. Her uncle will give the bride a beautiful red scarf. Her aunt and uncle will put lots of bangles on her arm. The bride will also have Mendhi (Henna) patterns drawn on her hands and feet. These Mendhi patterns are symbols of her entry into a new life. The wedding itself will take place at night, when the pole star comes out; this is because the promises the couple make will not change, just as the pole star does not change. The bride also has her skin rubbed with turmeric powder; this gives it a glowing quality.

At the grooms home

There will be a puja at the grooms home. His uncle will give him a special scarf. He will wear this at the wedding and the ancient symbol of love will be drawn on the scarf.

The Wedding Ceremony

All their family will be there. Many of them will take part in the ceremony. Flower garlands are exchanged between the groom and the bride The bride and groom will sit in a special shrine.

The priest joins the groom and brides

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.

HINDUISM- Marriage (Vivah)

Hindus believe it is their duty to marry and then their children would be able to carry on the familys religious tradition. They also felt that young people might choose the wrong person. The parents usually arrange Hindu marriages. Some marriages were arranged when their children were very young. But this is no longer practiced as it is against the law for children to marry. In the past the couple would have no say in the matter at all. Sometime the bride would not see the groom until the wedding day. Today parents allow the couple to meet each other. Either of them can refuse if they wish to do so.
Parents look for compatibility. They want to find someone who is similar in upbringing, education and caste. Some parents will consult their childrens horoscopes to ensure they are compatible. If the couple shares these things then there is a good chance that they will get on well together. Love will come gradually over the years and throughout their lifetime. It is felt that such marriages will last longer than those where people believe they are in love instantly. They would understand and learn to adjust to each others manners. Young Hindus are not permitted to have relationships before marriage. They are encouraged to remain virgins.

HINDUISM- Marriage (Vivah)

Hindus believe it is their duty to marry and then their children would be able to carry on the familys religious tradition. They also felt that young people might choose the wrong person. The parents usually arrange Hindu marriages. Some marriages were arranged when their children were very young. But this is no longer practiced as it is against the law for children to marry. In the past the couple would have no say in the matter at all. Sometime the bride would not see the groom until the wedding day. Today parents allow the couple to meet each other. Either of them can refuse if they wish to do so.
Parents look for compatibility. They want to find someone who is similar in upbringing, education and caste. Some parents will consult their childrens horoscopes to ensure they are compatible. If the couple shares these things then there is a good chance that they will get on well together. Love will come gradually over the years and throughout their lifetime. It is felt that such marriages will last longer than those where people believe they are in love instantly. They would understand and learn to adjust to each others manners. Young Hindus are not permitted to have relationships before marriage. They are encouraged to remain virgins.

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

They would also say that

However, other people would not agree because

They would also say that

I think that arranged marriages are

I think this 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.

Your parents will be there to help you if things go wrong.

You should make your own choice. It is your life.

You love the person you choose.

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.

You will choose someone you are happy with.

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.

At the wedding the bride and groom sit in a special shrine.

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.

This step is for food.

This step is for energy.

This step is for wealth.

This step is for happiness.

This step is for children

This step is for the seasons.

This step is for friendship.