Fisica

Traditional Indian weddings are a grand affair and involves lavish preparations. The number of people attending a wedding could be anywhere between 500 - 1000. Here, the sanctitude of the ceremony ispreserved through numerous traditional rituals and is accompanied by lots of entertainment, fun, colorful dresses, jewelry, lip-smacking foods, music and dance. One can see lots of variations in theIndian wedding traditions according to the cultural community, religion and region.

Pre-Wedding Rituals
The main wedding ceremony is preceded by two major events. One is the engagement ceremonyand the other is the 'Mehendi' or 'Sangeet' ceremony. The engagement ceremony takes place on an auspicious date fixed by the elders of the family after consultation with the priest. As compared to thewedding, this is a small affair which is attended mostly by close family members and friends of the girl and the boy. During this ceremony, the couple exchange wedding rings. It is followed byexchange of sweets between them as well as the members of both families. The occasion concludes with music, dance and loads of fun.

'Mehendi'/'Sangeet' is another fun-filled event that takes place at thebride's house just a day before the actual wedding. On this day, henna (mehendi) is applied on the bride's palms and feet with intricate patterns.

Wedding Ceremony
The main ceremony begins withthe arrival of the 'Baraat' which is a formal procession that includes friends, family members and relatives of the groom . The members who join the Baraat are called the 'Baraatis'. There is a lot ofmusic, dance and enjoyment in this gathering.

When the Baraatis reach the beautifully decorated wedding venue, the bride's family gives them a warm welcome. The groom can enter the venue onlyafter the bride's mother performs a ritual called 'Aarti' by rotating a small holy earthen lamp in front of the groom. Soon after the entry of the groom, the auspicious 'Jaimala' ceremony takes place....