1. The Hindu marriage is considered to be a sacrament, which implies that
dissolution is not permitted. Many of the rites testify to this concept. The
Vedic marriage is the universal form and the rites associated with it
are a recurrent motif in Hindu marriages throughout the country.
2. The customs and traditions in a Hindu marriage are multifarious, yet,
by and large, they have some underlying similarities. For example, the venue
of a Hindu marriage is very identifiable; strains of the shehnai are
a common feature. In the past, artistes were generally present in person.
Today, electronic equipment helps create the ambience.
3. Some important rites are performed after the ceremony, often away from
the site of the marriage; the initiation of the bride into the groom's
household is elaborate as well as beautiful. The general idea is that she is
Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity) who will bring prosperity to the
household. Her feet are dipped in milk reddened with alta, a red
colour used for dressing feet and she must leave her foot prints all over
the house. Rice grains are strewn at her feet suggesting the promise of
opulence; milk is made to boil over, oil is spilled all to the same purpose.
She is ceremoniously given charge of her new duties - these vary from people
to people.
Gujarathi
