Kashmiri Wedding

Kashmiri wedding is one of the most colourful of all Indian weddings. Resplendent with bright hues, great music and traditional dances, a Kashmiri wedding is a great fun to attend. Religious priests and elderly members of the family play an important role in all Kashmiri Weddings. For without getting the consent of the parents of either side, no couple can ever sanctify their marriage. In fact before announcing the date of marriage parents of the bride and the groom also consult an astrologer to ensure a good match. This ritual popularly known as the teknis, gives way to yet another local ritual called Kasamandry.

Kasamdry
The occasion of Kasamdry formally announces the matrimonial alliance between the two families. The groom’s family and the bride’s family announce the date in a temple or in front of the resident deity of the house. Food and fiesta along with colourful dresses make the day gleeful and romantic. Preparing the traditional Var is an integral part of Kasamdry. Cooked with rice, milk, almonds and spices, the var is a prominent Kashmiri delicacy. Once the var is prepared, every guest gets to taste this wonderful dish. One may also enjoy a sip of the traditional Kashmiri tea on this occasion.
Before deciding upon the date of marriage, both the bride’s party and the groom’s party clean up their house. This customary ritual is known as Livun. Soon after the Livun an auspicious date is chosen for the marriage after consulting the Kashmiri almanac.

Wedding
The evening before marriage ushers in the mehendi ceremony. In this ceremony the bride gets her hands and feet decorated with henna paste after taking a holy bath. Next morning begins with the Devgon ceremony. In this ceremony offerings are made to Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. As the bride and the groom move for a conjugal life, they pray to the lord to shower them with his blessings. Dressed in traditional attire and covered with silken scarves, the bride looks pretty. The groom too looks handsome with his wedding cap and smart get up.

The actual rituals begin with the holy fire being lit. The bride and the groom sit next to each other place their arms across. A cloth is used to cover the hands. The priest then chants hymns. He also reminds the bride and the groom about their duties and responsibilities. The priest ties up a holy thread on the forehead of both the bride and the groom. After this the bride and the groom are asked to stand on a grinding stone, traditionally used in Kashmiri households. After this a yagna is conducted on the holy fire. The bride and the groom are then asked to take seven rounds of the holy fire.

With this the marriage ceremony comes to an end. Soon after it is time for the bride to leave for her new home. However, she is expected to come back to her maternal house for dinner on that very evening.

Linus Orakles
http://www.authorclub.info/