The rituals of an Indian wedding

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

There are many cultures that make up our world and when it comes to weddings, there are thousands of different rituals celebrated by each one. For example, an Indian marriage ceremony is completely different from a Catholic one.

To explain what a wedding ceremony in India is like, we have gathered photos by photographer Yogi Trivedi, who has spent part of his career taking photos of Indian couples. Check out the gallery and immerse yourself in this culture which is rich in colors and meanings!

Castes

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

In India, people are divided at birth into social groups called castes: Brahmins (religious and nobles), Xatrias (warriors), Vaixas (peasants, artisans and merchants), Sudras (slaves) and Dalits (category below slaves).

Single person

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

Most Hindus believe that a single person has no social status.

Bride waits at the altar

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

The groom goes to meet the bride at the altar.

Henna

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

One thing that is not lacking is henna painted on the skin, also known as Mehndi.

Time to get married!

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

The most common months for weddings in India are in September and March.

Most often worn accessories

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

The nose ring, known as 'Nath', is one of the most commonly worn pieces for the ritual.

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

Nath, the nose ring.

Most-worn accessories

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

Paizeb is an anklet with bells and silver rings on the feet.

Purification

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

On the day of the wedding, the bride and groom are bathed in a special substance while reciting mantras that will purify them for the marriage.

Welcome!

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

While the guests welcome the couple, the bride's parents wash the groom's feet before the ceremony.

The curtain between the bride and groom

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

During the ceremony, the bride and groom are separated by a silk curtain so they can't see each other. After some mantras, the curtain is removed.

The father hands over the bride

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

After the bride's father officially hands her over to the groom, the couple exchange rings.

The power of the cord

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

The bride can only remove the wedding cord if the husband dies. The cord also has a pendant that is believed will bring even more luck.

Red powder

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

After the vows, the groom sprinkles red powder on the parting of the bride's hair to represent her new condition as a married woman.

Rain of rice

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

Guests throw rice on the bride and groom.

Circling the sacred fire

Single person, Bride waits at the altar, Time to get married!, Most often worn accessories, Most-worn accessories, Purification, Welcome!, The curtain between the bride and groom, The father hands over the bride, The power of the cord, Red powder, Rain of rice, Circling the sacred fire

The most important moment of an Indian celebration is the so-called Saptapadi, when the bride and groom go around a sacred fire singing positive mantras for the new family.

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