Description

About The Book

The Hindu wedding is a profound and intricate ceremony, rich with cultural and spiritual significance, and one of the world’s most lavish ceremonies. This compilation has explored the myriad facets of Hindu weddings, from their ancient roots to their modern-day practices, highlighting the evolution, diversity, and spiritual undertones that penetrate every ritual. The compilation in a book has been classified into many sections/chapters. The introduction and overview sections delineate the complexity and beauty of Hindu wedding rituals. Each ceremony, whether pre-wedding or post-wedding, serves a purpose, symbolizing various aspects of life, love, and spirituality. The pre-wedding rituals include the Roka, Engagement, Mehendi, and Sangeet, followed by the Mandap Ceremony, Kanyadaan, Saat Pheras, and Mangalsutra Ceremony. Each ritual, steeped in symbolism, reinforces the sanctity of the marital bond and its religious importance. The rituals like Vidai, Grihapravesh, Mooh Dikhai, and Pagphera mark the bride’s transition into her new family, symbolizing acceptance and integration. These ceremonies underscore the continuity of traditions and the emphasis on family unity and harmony with religious importance. In the Hindu religion, it is believed that the “fire or agni” is the maintainer of life, and all the gods and goddesses are always present in every ritual. As such, Saat Pheras are being taken around this sacred fire by the bride and bridegroom. The ritual of Saat Pheras around the holy fire is believed to represent Agni Devta, or God of Fire, which gives legal conformity to the union and indirectly takes an oath. The pros and cons of dowry and child marriage have also been discussed.

About The Author

The author, Chaitanya S Agarwal, is a retired Groundwater Scientist from the State Groundwater Department, Uttar Pradesh Lucknow. During his long career as a groundwater scientist, he published several research papers on various aspects of groundwater along with the publication of a Technical Book on Remote Sensing for Natural Resource investigation in 2000 by Wheeler Publishing Co. Delhi. After retirement, he took writing and consultancy as his hobby, published various books, and did compilations on multiple aspects. Some of his prominent compilations and books: are Words Of Wisdom From Some Great Personalities, India Unveiled: A Journey Through Diversity and Unquiness, Revealing the Cultural Significance of Hindu Festivals And Temples, Hill Side Havock: Unveiling the Reality of Hill Collapse In India, Water: An Eternal source of Life, etc. As a Groundwater consultant, gave several Handpump sites in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand.