I really love Hindu American Weddings in Tampa Bay. Ever since I traveled to India a few years ago I fell in love with the culture, food, colors, community, all of it. These wedding have a lot of moving parts and really should be photographed by someone who has experience with a variety of different styles of wedding and venues. There are so many complexities and different ceremonies to capture you have to be ready and know what to look for.
If you’ve never been to a Hindu / American Wedding in Tampa Bay here are a few things you can expect. This information was part of Trent and Emma’s Ceremony Guide:
The Ceremony
The Hindu wedding ceremony is based on traditions and rituals
originating in the Rig Veda, the earliest of the four ancient Sanskrit
books of knowledge, The Vedas, which form the basis of Hinduism. This
sacred wedding ceremony is meant to unite two people so firmly they
become one in spirit. The ceremony takes place on a draped platform,
the mandap(am). Throughout the ceremony, the priest will be chanting
10,000 words in Sanskrit. Like Church Latin, this is a sacred language
which very few lay people understand.
BARAAT AALANTHI, MILNI, & VAR PUJA
Groom arrives via parade of his family and friends. Upon entrance into
the temple, the Aalathi ritual is performed by Jayanthi Ramesh & Sagi
Asokan to remove darkness and defend against evil. Groom is greeted by
Father and Mother, or coming together, and a small gift
is offered. In Var Puja, Groom receives blessings and is escorted by Family to the mandap.
GANESH PUJA
As with all auspicious Hindu rituals, a prayer is first offered to Lord
Ganesha, the elephant god, whose blessings remove any major obstacles
from the ceremony and couple’s new life together. He is asked to bless
the garlands and mangalsutra (sacred necklace of marriage) which were
previously placed at His feet.
KANYA AAGMAN
Bride arrives at the temple escorted by her uncles.
They are led by Brides sister with a lit oil lamp and
followed by friends.
JAIMALA
Joined by their parents and the priest on the mandap, a cloth is held
between Bride and Groom by young relatives. Once
removed, they officially greet one another for the first time. Bride and Groom
exchange their entrance floral garlands with blessed ones
signifying their willingness to accept one another.
KANYA DAAN
James places Bride’s right hand in Groomst’s right hand, signifying that he
is entrusting her care to the man of her heart. James seeks a pledge of
fidelity. Once their hands are joined with the sacred thread, Bride and
Groom pledge to support one another in fulfilling the four tenets of life:
Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. These are most closely translated as
righteousness, prosperity, pleasure, and liberation, respectively.
GATHBANDHAN
Bride and Groom are joined by tying the corners of their outer garments
together, symbolizing the bonds of marriage. It is at
this point that the small open fire is lit, and the fire god Agni is called
upon to witness the union. The couple make four circles around the fire
signifying the four tenets of life. Initially, sisters of the bride and groom
shower them with flower petals. In following circles, other guests are
invited to do the same.
SAPTAPADI
In perhaps the most important ritual of the ceremony, Bride and Groom
take seven symbolic steps together, representing the vows of marriage:
- For a noble and respectful life
- For their physical, mental, and spiritual strength
- For honesty and faithfulness
- For knowledge, happiness, and harmony by love and embrace of
each other’s family as their own - For their eternal friendship
- For the growth of their family
- For the sharing of their joy in the service of others
SINDOOR DAAN & MANGALSUTRA
Groom places the sindoor, red powder, on Brides’s forehead and part of
her hair in the mark of a married woman. Groom then ties the
mangalsutra around Bride’s neck to symbolize his enduring
commitment.
NALANGU & ASHIRVAAD
After the wedding rituals conclude, Bride and Groom ask for the final
blessings of their parents and elders in Nalangu. Finally, the priest
officially declares them as husband and wife.
