Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

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Ganesh and Gauri pooja (Gauri Pooja is known as Ghari pooja in Sindhi Wedding rituals): The bridegroom performs Ganesh pooja in the mandapam or wedding hall just before the marriage ceremony, worshipping the revered Ganesha who is the remover of all obstacles. Gauri Pooja is performed by the Bride a few minutes before she enters into the main wedding hall and is symbolic of the protection offered by Goddess Gauri to protect the husband from worldly perils, requested by the bride during this special ritual.
2. Main Hindu wedding ritual
Step 1: Vaak Daanam
The groom-to-be (brahmachari) sends two elders on his behalf to the father of a girl whom he wishes to marry. The elders convey the message of the brahmachari and ask for the daughter's hand.
The two mantras in the form of brahmachari's appeal to intercede on his behalf where the first mantra begs the elders to proceed and return quickly with success back from their mission on his behalf and the second mantra asks for the gods' blessings for the elders' safe journey to the house of the father of the would-be-bride. The father accedes to the request of the elders and the resulting agreement for betrothal is known as vaak daanam.
Step 2: Vara Puja (Honouring the groom)
After accepting the request of the prospective groom, the bride's parents invite him to the wedding hall (mandap). Every Hindu householder believes that the daughter born to him is the personification of Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu. So during this ritual the parents of the bride honour the groom as if Lord Vishnu himself arrived to take away their daughter.
The parents of the bride seat the groom facing the eastern direction and wash the feet of the future son-in-law, considering him as Lord Vishnu Himself. All honours are given including the ceremonial washing of the feet of the groom by the father-in-law and offer of madhu parka (a mixture of yogurt, honey and ghee) to the accompaniment of selected Veda mantras.
To prove that he is worthy, the groom must promise the bride's father that he will walk with her in a good path (Dharma), that he will provide adequate wealth (Artha) and he truly loves her (kama). These three promises are regarded as great achievements in the Hindu world.
Step 3: Kanyaa Daanam (Entrusting of the Daughter)
The bride's parents perform rituals of the giving away of their daughter. Bride's father places her dyed hand in the groom's who holds it as a symbol of their everlasting love.
By pouring out some of the sacred water, the bride's father "washes his hands" of her and gives her away at which point the groom recites Vedic hymns to Kama, the God of Love, asking for the blessing of pure love.
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