Marriage is a long term relationship

between two individuals.

It is belief that marriage is made in

heaven and considered to be a turning

point in an individual’s life.

The marriage lays emphasis on three

essential values: happiness, harmony,

and growth.

An engagement ceremony is to bless

the couple, who are then given gifts

of jewellery and clothing by

their new family.

Marriage is considered to be one of

the most important duties of

a person’s life.

The ceremony is held in temple or in

the decorated wedding hall which

includes a party.

Marriage takes few days to complete

the ceremony with various rituals in

the presence of fire deity.

There will be four banana plants

positioned around the canopy and

thousands of coloured

lights will be hung.

The bridegroom wears a shewarni and

the bride wears a beautiful saree

which attract the audiences.

The marriage ceremony commences

with prayers to Lord Ganesh to bless

this occasion and to free the couple

from obstacles.

The couple worship the sacred fire

which symbolises light, power, and

knowledge as a witness.

Bride and groom repeat the sacred pledge

of marriage and request fire deity to be

the messengers to the various gods.

After reciting the marriage mantra, bride

and bridegroom exchange

garland with each other.

At the end, the bridegroom applied vermillion

on bride’s forehead and then puts a golden

necklace (mangalsutra) around her neck,

which is the most cherished ornament of

a married woman.

~Bhupesh Chandra Karmakar

New Delhi, India