How Long is an Indian Wedding

How Long is an Indian Wedding?

How long is an Indian wedding? Typically, the length of the wedding ceremony depends on the size of the couple's family. For example, a South Indian wedding ceremony may last for 30 minutes, while a more traditional family might opt to have a three to four-hour wedding ceremony. But, if you're wondering what to expect from your ceremony, keep reading! Here, we'll cover some of the most common Indian wedding customs.

Saptapadi

If you're planning a Hindu wedding, you're probably wondering how long Saptapadi lasts. This traditional Hindu wedding ceremony involves seven lifetimes of marriage, which means that the bride has to touch seven beetlenuts with her toe before a priest seals the union. However, the exact duration of this ritual varies from community to community. Some communities insist that the groom take the lead during all seven phires while others alternate their roles with the bride. Either way, Saptapadi remains an interesting part of an Indian wedding.

The Saptapadi ceremony is a part of the Hindu wedding ritual that's mandatory in Hindu culture. While the exact length of this ceremony varies by region, the vows remain the same. It is performed under a starry night and involves seven rounds of vows. Here are the most important points. If you're not familiar with Saptapadi, don't worry; it's not as long as it used to be.

Mangni

The first ceremony is called the kanya daan, a rite that includes the bride's parents giving her away. They then join hands around a fire, which is called the mangal phera. The couple then follow seven steps of rituals to seal their union, such as the application of red powder to the bride's forehead, reciting seven vows, and tying a black beaded necklace around her neck.

Next, the groom joins the bride's family for the milni ceremony, where the couple exchange gifts. They sit under a mandap, and the bride makes her entrance. This is followed by the kanya aagaman ceremony and the satapadi ceremony. After the kanya daan ceremony, the newlyweds are presented with food and drinks and lead the bride around a fire.

Nischitartham

A typical Indian wedding lasts between seven and eight hours, with a few notable exceptions. The ceremony starts with a roka, which is a procession that takes about an hour. In addition to the roka, the wedding ceremony begins with the groom's family offering their daughter in marriage. They wash each other's feet, and the ceremony includes mantras and dancing. The groom and bride will also exchange a tilak, or third eye, during the ceremony, and then exchange their marriage vows.

After the roka, the bride and groom are given their respective bangles and jewelry, and the bride's family will attend the bride's baraat. The bride's family and friends will accompany him as he makes his way to the ceremony venue. There will be a musical band, a dance troupe, and an array of wedding gifts to give to the bride and groom. The ceremony is followed by a reception that typically starts around seven and lasts until midnight, when the bride and groom venture off in a fancy car to celebrate their marriage.

Graha Shanti

During an Indian wedding, the bride and groom wear comfortable attire. The groom wears a kurta or dhoti, while the bride wears a sari. The bride is ceremoniously decorated by her friends and family. She will also have Mehndi (body art), which is produced from turmeric and henna. The bride's parents give her daughter in marriage.

The Grah Shanti puja is performed immediately following the wedding ceremony to invoke the blessings of the nine planets. The ceremony is said to make the marriage prosperous and happy for both parties. The bride and groom's family members are also expected to attend the wedding. A baraat (a wedding procession) will be performed. The bride's sister will wave a bag of coins over the groom and the bride's head during the ceremony.

Mehendi

How long is a Mehendi? During an Indian wedding, mehndi is a ritual that combines knowledge of medicinal herbs with sentiments and beliefs. While it may seem like a simple ritual, mehndi is more than just a beauty ritual, as the bride and groom participate in this ceremony as well. The purpose of mehndi is to bring good luck and charm to both the bride and the groom.

The Mehendi ritual is a part of the Sangeet, or wedding celebration, when the bride's family and relatives gather to celebrate the bride's upcoming nuptials. During this ceremony, the bride's hand is covered with henna, a symbolic application that represents fertility. While the ceremony has deep scientific reasons, many believe it serves to calm the bride's nerves.

Graha

An Indian wedding ceremony involves three major events. The baraat, or procession of the groom to the wedding, is an important event. The bride and her family and friends follow the groom, and he may ride an elephant or a horse to the ceremony. Musicians will accompany the ceremony, and the entire day is a giant party. After the wedding, the bride and groom are expected to live at the house of their newlyweds.

The first ritual is the Graha Shanti. This is a traditional Hindu ceremony that celebrates the transition of the bride from a little girl to a man. The priest will offer a pious thread to the bride and the groom and whisper a special mantra into his ears. The groom is then expected to practice the mantra for seven days after the wedding to make him a good husband.

Mandap

The Mandap is the sacred space in which the bride and groom exchange seven vows. The length of the Mandap depends on the size of the wedding and the number of guests. Typically, it's two or three times the total number of guests. The Hindu tradition also includes a bridal procession where the bride and groom ride up the aisle on an elephant or fancy car. Before entering the mandap, the bride and groom remove their shoes and are greeted by their families. Then, the bride and groom wait for the traditional Hindu wedding ritual known as the kanyadan. The bride and groom exchange garlands, and the groom's parents take off their shoes to give the bride away. The groom's family waits with the bride's parents until the ceremony is over. The ceremony is concluded with the tying of the knot (ganthbandhan

The traditional length of the mandap is usually eight feet, but some cultures use more or less. If the venue is built-in with a structure, it may be possible to add a mandap to the room. However, the traditional size is not always enough. Mandaps are generally four to five feet longer than the overall length of the wedding venue. Whether the Mandap is eight feet or four feet long, it should be at least eight feet in diameter.

Mandalsutra

In India, wearing a Mandalsutra at your wedding signifies your union with your soul mate. This amulet necklace has various meanings, and it is traditionally made of gold. Depending on the bride's caste, the mangalsutra may have pendants shaped like a tulsi plant, a conch, or a sacred discus of Lord Vishnu.

A Hindu wedding ceremony begins with the bride sitting on the groom's left side as close to his heart as possible. The groom then performs a ceremony known as Mangalyadharanam, where he applies red vermillion on the bride's forehead. This signifying her lifelong devotion and promotion to wife status, is considered one of the most important ceremonies in the Hindu wedding. A Mandalsutra is not only an elegant adornment, but also a symbolic representation of a woman's inner self.

Although the Mangalsutra is primarily a north Indian wedding tradition, most cultures in the country have their own version of the item. They differ in material and structure, but the basic concept remains the same. It is believed that this custom came to north India from south India and is therefore known by various names in different regions. Although it is common in Indian weddings, it is not worn in Bengali, Oriya, or Assamese cultures.

Tilak

The ceremony itself lasts an hour or more. The bride's family, along with her family members and friends, gather outside the mandap. The groom and his family are welcomed with gifts and escorted by the bride's family and elders to the mandap. The groom is expected to remove his shoes before sitting on the wedding platform. The bride's family, along with her mother, father, and uncle, walk the bride down the aisle. The bride's family, which includes her parents and siblings, tie a marriage knot on her shoulder. The ceremony ends with the lighting of the holy fire.

The first step in planning an Indian wedding is determining the number of guests. Some Indian weddings formally determine the guest count before determining the budget and choosing the location. Other Indian weddings cap the guest count by the venue. While finalizing the guest list is a daunting process, the easiest way to determine the guest list is by using the couple's existing guest list. You can use this list to make last-minute invitations.

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