Steps of the Hindu Marriage Ceremony

Divali festival souvenir magazine 2007

Marriage is one of the most-important of the sixteen maro [sacraments] in the life of a Hindu. It is no wonder, therefore, that so many relatives, friends and well-wishers are invited to witness the ceremony. Deities are also invited to witness and bless the marriage. They are invoked by the presiding pandits through the chanting of verses in Sanskrit from the ancient Vedas. The marriage does not only establish a bond between two individuals but also between two families. It is an elaborate and lavish affair with numerous rites and rituals lasting three to four days. The main ceremony takes place at the bride's place under a maro or maro [canopy] beautifully decorated with electric bulbs, colourful fabrics and flower petals. Each step has its own function and significance.

October-November 2007

11 x 8 ½ inches

96 pages with advertisements and articles

ISSN 1683-4143

Glossy pages and cover

Steps of the Hindu Marriage Ceremony [Editorial]
Greetings from his the High Commissioner of India
By His Excellency Jagjit Singh Sapra
Chey-Kai – The Engagement Ceremony
Mehendi – The Dulahin's Seductive Body Art
Hardi Night – The Couple Prepares
Maticoor – Ladies' Night
Baraat Milan/Agwani – A Father's Welcome
Kanya Daan – A Parents' Farewell
Parchay – A Mother's Welcome
Tilak/Dwar Puja – A Brother's Welcome
Imli Ghotaai/ Daal Sankalpa – A Mother's Pain
Peerha Sankalpa & Anga Sparsha – Rocking the Bench
Kanya Daan – Giving Away a Bride
Granthi Bandhana and Paaw Puja – Tying the Knot and Gift-Giving
Lawa Hawan – The Dulahin as Head and Leader
Lawa Bhawar – Around the Sacred Fire
Asmarorhana – Stepping on the Stone
Exchanging of Marriage Vows – The Requests of the Dulahin
Exchanging of Marriage Vows – The Requests of the Dulaha
Sindoor Daan – The Symbol of a Married Woman
Taag Paat and Mungal Sutra Daan – The Dulahin's Protectors
Maalaaharr Patidhan and Mudrika Pratidaan – Exchanging of Malas and Rings
Aashirvaad/Viserjan and Kitchree – The Dulaha's Meal
Surya Darshan, Dhruv Darshan and Hirdai Sparsh – Worshipping the Heart and Sun
Saptapadi – The Seven Steps
Darshan – The Dulahin's Farewell
Choraaway Kangan and Tri Ratri Vrat – The Yellow Strips of Cloth
Unwritten Facts about the Hindu Wedding
Unmentioned Facts about the Hindu Wedding
Unknown Facts about the Hindu Wedding
The Marriage of Lord Rama to Lord Sita 6,000 years ago in India

Kumar Mahabir

is a full-time anthropologist at the University of Guyana (UG) and Fellow of The Eccles Centre for American Studies, British Library (2022-23). He is a former Assistant Professor at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). He obtained his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Florida (UF). As a doctoral student, he won a Florida Caribbean Institute Award, an A. Curtis Wilgus Grant, and an Organization of American States (OAS) Fellowship.
Mahabir received a National Award (Hummingbird Silver Medal) for his contribution to education in his country in 2011. He was among 50 recipients who received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the UWI Alumni Association.
Mahabir is the author of 12 books to date.