The Arya Samaj marriages are mainly famous for its simplicity. In this marriage, there are very few rites that need to be followed. However, the simplicity of the marriage doesn’t reduce its significance. In Arya Samaj marriage, meaning of the Vedic mantras is explained to the new couple so that they can get and understand the concept of marriage. This marriage is mainly performed in the Hindu religion, but people from other religion can also perform and get Arya Samaj Marriage certificate. Arya Samaj Marriage certificate download is available for the bride and the groom for availing it online.
These Arya Samaj Marriages are performed according to the ancient Hindu culture given in Vedas. This is why, the Arya Samaj marriage are mainly confined to Hindu community only. A typical Arya Samaj marriage is quite a modest one and is not considered by profligate ceremonies. In this marriage, people do not worship any particular deity but rather than they do the worship of Panchtatvas i.e. earth, fire, water, air and ether.
Once you get the valid Arya Samaj marriage certificate, you become the legal wife and husband. After getting Arya Samaj Marriage Certificate, no one has any right to harm you particularly. Further, this marriage certificate cannot be challenged in any court.
- Pre Wedding Rituals in an Arya Samaj Marriage
Sangeet: This is a first ceremony which is taken place at the bride’s home. In this ritual, bride’s female friends and relatives sing folk songs and celebrate the new phase which is coming in the bride’s life.
Mehndi: This ceremony is also organised by female relatives and friends of the bride, and is taken place at the bride’s house. In this ceremony, turmeric paste and sandalwood powder paste is rubbed on the hands and feet of the bride because this considered as a part of the cleansing process or purification before the mehndi put on the bride’s hands and feet.
Brahmbhoj: It is a customary practice for Arya Samaj marriage to feed the 16 Brahmins on the morning of the marriage. This ritual is mainly called as brahmbhoj. The family members of the couple usually participate by serving these 16 Brahmins.
Chudha and Nath: This ritual is mainly performed in the northern region of India like Punjabis etc. Here in this ritual, the maternal uncle of a bride presents her a 21 bangle set (Chura) along with a nose ring (which is called as Nath). However, the number (21) is a very auspicious number.
- Wedding Rituals in an Arya Samaj Marriage
Varmala: Here the groom and bride exchange the garlands (Jaimala). The bride first garlands her husband followed by the groom in same way. The main purpose of this ritual is to public acceptance of the new relationship.
Swagat Vidhi: This ritual is also called as welcome ritual where the bride provides the water to the groom to wash the feet.
Madhupark: This ritual is also a part of welcome ceremony. Here the bride greets the groom with the mixture of curd and honey. This delicacy is granted 3 times and the groom takes it after the 3rd plea.
Havana: In Arya Samaj marriage, this is one of the most important ritual which is well defined. Here the priest tie a pure thread to the wrist of the groom which symbolises the transformation of a boy to a man and to also a responsible person. Further, holy fire is worshipped and various other Vedic hymns are performed.
Godan: Here the couple gifts a cow or calf to the pundit as donations. At present, couples usually give equal amount of money rather than a live calf.
Kanyadaan/Pratigya: In this, the bride’s father gives her daughter’s hand to the groom. The hands of the couple are folded with the sacred cotton to stipulate the legion bond between the two. This ritual again takes place next to the sacred fire which is supposed to grace the new couples.
Pratigya Mantra: In this ritual, the bride and groom hold hands together and do promises before the fire which is intended to make the marriage more strong and blessed.
Parikarma: The couple circles the fire four times during this marriage. The bride prays for the good health and prosperity of her husband while on the other side, the groom promises to take care of his wife and respect all women.
Kesh Mochan: In this ritual, the groom softly unties the hairs of the bride. He narrates a mantra and promises her that he will not do anything wrong to hurt her.
Saptapadi: Saptapadi or the seven steps is when the groom and bride are tied by a cloth together and take the seven footsteps. The seven steps are manifestly allusive and are meant to signify respectively the good health, wealth, strength, good luck, love, food and offspring.
Suryadarshan: Here the bride and groom worships the Sun God together in this ceremony. They usually pray for prosperous health and wealth in their new life together.
Hriday Sparsh: The groom and bride touch each other’s heart and pledge to be kind and sympathetic towards each other.
Sindoor Daan: This is an important ritual in the marriage where the groom put on ‘sindoor’ on the middle of the wife’s hair.
- Post-Wedding Rituals
Reception: This is a very normal ritual and mainly it is an event for blessing the groom and bride and also sharing a food with them.
Taking off the Chudha: The chudha that the bride wears on the day of the marriage is taken off after some months later (however the time period can be 1 month to 1 year completely depends on the personal beliefs) by her sister-in-law. She gifts the bride with a new set of clothes and jewellery on this day.
It is not necessary to conduct all these steps or there can be some regional dissimilarities or variances in specific cases. Overall, Arya Samaj weddings are miraculous relationship where heritage meets novelty and the forgone interrelates with the present.
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