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Avo Avo” “Chalo Chalo!” the Celebration of Love and Commitment So Far

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Avo Avo” “Chalo Chalo!” the Celebration of Love and Commitment So Far “Avo Avo” “Chalo chalo!” The celebration of love and commitment So far ...... Engagement (Chanlo Matli) The chandlo (applying the vermilion mark on the forehead) announced the acceptance of the alliance between the two families. Nisha’s father and members from her family visited the groom carrying auspicious items and the bride’s father applied the chandlo on Neel’s forehead and gave him a shagun- a blessing. It is a union of two souls spiritually, mentally and physically. (Pre-Covid) Equally, Neel’s family visited Nisha’s family, bearing sweet and savoury gifts packed in Matli. A ‘Gol Dhana’ formed from coriander seeds and jaggery marks that the couple have been hitched. Mendhi On Wednesday Nisha sat excitedly whilst henna was applied to her hands and feet. It is believed that the deeper the colour on the bride’s hands, the stronger the love. There is also a custom that the bride has her groom’s initials incorporated in the design. A test of patience to find amongst the intricate design, on the wedding night! Pre –wedding Ceremonies (Vidhi) The Vidhi occurred on Thursday with various prayers and senior members of the family. A priest was invited to perform a Puja at both the homes, seeking blessings from Lord Ganesha. He prayed that God protect the couple and their families from harm and ward off any possible obstacles that may hinder the couple’s path ahead, (including any Covid restrictions). The 3 different ceremonies on that day were below: Mandva Mahurat & Griha Shanti This ceremony bears a deep religious significance because the parents of the couple seek the blessings of Mother Earth and ask permission to commence with the digging of the soil to erect the mandva or mandap (platform erected for the wedding rites covered with a canopy). Griha Shanti, a ceremony conducted to seek the blessings of all the nine planets, immediately follows the mandva mahurat. This was carried out in the respective homes of the bride and the groom with 2 households. Pithi The bride sat on a bajat- a low stool, with her palms upturned. It is the prerogative of the kaaki (paternal uncle’s wife) to mix the pithi (a paste of sandalwood powder, herbs, rosewater and mogra / attar (a type of perfume). She arranges the pithi on a decorated platter and had it blessed by the priest. The women of the households applied the pithi on the bride’s skin. It is said the paste contains natural goodness she will be more beautiful than she is. Mameru or Mosaalu Nisha received gifts from her maternal uncle which consists of clothes, jewellery and other gifts items including the traditional paanetar (silk saree – usually white with red border), jewellery and bangles. The Wedding Day Varghodo: The groom’s procession Today on this auspicious day, Neel dressed in all his finery arrives to the front of the house accompanied by his relatives and close friends to the sound of Dhols playing. The priest gives the groom’s sister a small bowl wrapped in cloth and containing coins on which the Hindu Swastika has been etched. She rattles this over her brother’s head to ward off the evil eye and also to warn him that even though he is getting married, he must not forget his sister! The bride’s side grandly welcomes the groom’s ‘Baraat’ to the marquee. Kanya Daan The wedding rituals are performed in front of a sacred fire. The rituals begin with the ‘kanya daan’-The bride is given away by her parents who abstain from eating to make themselves pure in body and mind for the occasion. Their folded hands reflect the hope that their son-in-law will take good care of their daughter and never cause her pain. The bride’s mother performs Mataji Puja and welcomes the groom with Aarti and Tilak after which she playfully tries to pull his nose. A bit of fun for the lucky groom. The wedding altar is an elevated platform decorated for the ceremony with 4 pillars. She then offers him Panchamurt, a drink made from the goodness of 5 ingredients ghee, honey, sugar, milk and yogurt. While the groom is busy in the ritual, the younger family members take advantage of this opportunity and go for Juta Churai - stealing his shoes. The parents sprinkle his feet with milk and water as they believe that he is none other than the Hindu Lord, Vishnu, to whom they are handing over his rightful consort, the Goddess Laxmi in the form of their daughter. On Nisha’s entrance ‘Antarpaat’ is then placed between the bride and the groom like a curtain to prevent them from seeing each other. They will be asked again if they happy to continue. Varmala Nisha is escorted to the mandva where she garlands the groom and he reciprocates. The beautiful patterns and richness of her outfit the bright floral garlands are another symbol welcoming both families in this union. Hasta Melap The Civil Ceremony In this ritual, the groom’s scarf or shawl is tied to the bride’s outfit. This knot and the joined hands of the couple symbolise the union of two souls joined together in holy matrimony. Vidaai The acharya chants mantras to invoke the blessings of Goddess Laxmi and Goddess Parvati for As the Hindu bride leaves her home to start a new life with her husband , the goodbyes are the saubhagyavrata or wife. The family and relatives present also come together to bless the heart warming and tearful. Nisha walks away spreading happiness and prosperity with couple and shower grains of rice and rose petals on them. handfuls of rice thrown over her head to show her appreciation and love from her parents and family. Pheras The pheras rounds around the sacred fire must begin now. The fire is kept as witness and The Reception offerings are made. The bride’s brother will give offerings as a wish for his sister’s happy marriage.The bride and the groom circle around the sacred fire four times, each with its own Tomorrow ....Her new role...... special meaning and commitment – Dharma, Artham, Kama, Moksha. The priest chants sacred Ghar ni Laxmi verses and also asks the couple to repeat after him. (They say the first to sit down will be in The bride’s first step into her new home is considered auspicious. She is the Ghar ni Laxmi or the goddess Laxmi who will bring wealth and good fortune to her home. The mother-in-law charge!) will welcome the bride with arti and tika. Then she places a vessel, filled to the brim with rice, Saptapadi and sindoor at the entrance of the house. Nisha will knock the vessel down gently with her right foot, The ‘saptapadi ‘ seven steps is another important ritual where the bride recites their sacred vows spilling some of the rice over. The rice is a symbol of wealth and by following the ritual she while touching a straight line of seven betel nuts with her toe. After that, the groom applies conveys full understanding of her role within her new home. Sindoor on her bride’s hair parting and ties a Mangalsutra (a black and gold beaded) necklace. These are the symbols of a married woman. Aeki-Beki games This is yet another interesting ritual observed at the groom’s house. The newly wed couple are Akhanda Saubhagyavati invited to play a game called Aeki-beki. In this, several coins and a ring are placed in a tray of The married women are invited to greet the new couple and whisper in the bride’s right ear for water covered by milk and vermilion. It is thought that the person, who finds the ring four good wishes of a blissful married life, prosperity and happiness. They will now break their fast times first, will be in charge. with the blessed food. Whilst, the newly wedded couple will seek blessings from all. .
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