Mehndi
The mehndi ceremony is a light-hearted occasion with no religious connotation. Nevertheless, it is devoted to an important aspect of any marriage. It is the beautifying of the bride for the forthcoming nuptials. Professional mehndiwaalis or henna artists apply the henna paste on the hands and feet of the bride and her female friends and relatives. Mehndi is used as it signifies the strength of love in a marriage.
At this time, the women in the family get together, play music, and dance. Folk songs may also be sung on this day.
Saagri Tradition
Saagri tradition involves the showering of flower petals on the bride. The purpose of the ceremony is so that the bride and her new family get acquainted. This ritual is done by the groom's married sisters and cousins whom adorn the bride to be with the jewelry made from mogra flowers. They prettify her so that she is ready for when the bridegroom comes to see her.
This ritual will be conducted during the Mehndi party before the bridegroom arrives.
Sangeet
The sangeet usually follows the mehndi celebration, where traditional wedding songs and popular songs are sung to the beat of the dholak (drum). Professional singers and dance troupes may be invited for the function. Cocktails and dinner follow the celebrations. Traditionally, the sangeet party was a party for the bride’s girlfriends and female relatives. Now, both the bride and groom’s side are usually invited to this party and it is not restricted to the ladies anymore.
Navgrahi Puja
On this day special prayers are performed to invoke harmony within the planets.
The 'Navgrahi Puja' is performed on the morning before the wedding. It is imperative for the bride's 'mama' (maternal uncle), 'chacha' (paternal uncle) and brother to be present.
As per Sindhi tradition, all 'pujas' are performed in the groom's home first and only then in the bride's. The 'pujas' performed on this day include the 'Ganesha Puja', 'Omkar Puja', 'Lakshmi Puja', 'Kalash Puja', followed by the 'puja' of the nine planets or the 'Navgrahi Puja'.
Ghari Puja
This ritual is normally conducted in the homes of the bride and groom simultaneously. The priest performs the prayers with rice, coconut, wheat grains, oil, betel nuts, turmeric, and a number of other spices. The groom offers a handful of grains to the priest, indicating he will always give to charity and look after those less fortunate than himself. The mothers of both the bride and groom dress up, possibly in more bridal finery.
For the ghari, the mother places a matka (clay pot) full of water on her head, assisted by her son-in-law. The pot of water is taken outside the house and the son-in-law carries a katti or knife with him at all times to protect his mother-in-law from evil spirits. He is now referred to as ainar.
The pot of water is then brought back into the house and every person present garlands the mother and the father of the bride or the groom (as the case may be). This matka is now placed in the pujasthan (shrine) inside the home. The son-in-law, or ghor as he is now addressed, gives money to the priest after circling it around the pot of water and the bride or the groom.
Next, seven married ladies or sumangalis have to pound haldi (turmeric) sticks in a jar, or okhli, seven times each. The bride and the groom then do the same.
WEDDING DAY TRADITIONS
Swagatam (Welcome)
After the bride has dressed up in her wedding attire, her sisters or other female friends and relatives lead the groom to the bride's place. At the house entrance, the bridegroom places his right foot on the top of the bride's foot. This gesture signifies his dominating strength. Thereafter, he enters the bride's house. The girl's parents wash their future son-in-laws feet with milk and water, considering him to be a form of Lord Vishnu.
Kanyadan (Giving away of the bride)
The father of the bride places her hand in the groom’s hand requesting him to accept her as an equal partner. The concept behind Kanyadan is that the bride is a form of the goddess Lakshmi and the groom is Lord Naryana. The parents are facilitating their union.
Hathialo (Joining of the Hands) Hastamelap
As a part of Hathialo tradition, the bridegroom's scarf is tied to one end of the bride's sari. Also their right hands are tied together with a sacred thread. The couple prays to the Lord to bless their union.
Marriage Ceremony
Next, a small open fire is lit in the centre and the fire God is invited to witness the marriage. The priest, in the presence of family and friends, performs the ceremony. The bride and groom are made to sit in front of the sacred fire and the priest recites selected verses from the Holy scriptures. The family members are directed by the priest to give offerings into the holy fire.
The groom takes the bride's hand to his forehead. This gesture indicates that he accepts her as the better half of his life. The heads of the bride and groom are held together. It represents that from now on, they are one in body, mind and spirit.
The bride's brother fills the palms of the couple with grains of rice, oats and leaves, which signifies the four blessings: wealth, good health, prosperity and happiness. These they offer to the fire signifying that "all these worldly possessions we sacrifice to you because there isn't anything greater and more rewarding than your blessings upon us".
Sapta Padi (The Seven Steps)
Seven is an important number in Hinduism and the bride and groom walk around the fire seven times after God's blessing has been invoked by offering samagree (a pungent mix of sandalwood, herbs, sugar, rice, ghee and twigs). As they walk, they make offerings to the fire, reciting vedic hymns to the gods calling for wealth, good luck and fidelity. At the end of each circling of the fire, the couple stand on a stone and pray for their love to be strong.
The Saptapadi ceremony concludes with a prayer that the union is for life. They are now husband and wife.
Datar
This tradition is done after the bride and groom are married. The bride picks up a handful of salt and places it in the hands of her husband. He passes it back into her hands without spilling any salt, this is done three times. Similarly, the "datar" is carried out with all members of the groom's family. Exchanging salt symbolizes that just as salt blends in and gives taste to food, so must the bride blend in and become a part of her new family.
