In the Agarwal matrimony, the wedding is fixed for a fixed day, alike other communities. The auspicious day is fixed according to the date of birth of the bride and the groom, as well as the Hindu calendar. The priest calculates the favorable days for the wedding celebrations.
The Engagement
It is the formal announcement of wedding in Agarwal Matrimony, where the bride and groom exchange rings. The families of the groom shower the bride with gifts like sari, jewellery, fruits, money, etc. similarly the groom is also gifted with clothes, money and fruits.
Music Festival
Music is an inseparable part of the celebrations in India; hence a day is secured for Sangit in Agarwal matrimony. It is a celebration prior to the wedding, when the women of the family sing wedding songs for the health and prosperity of the couple. In the wedding songs, the women also joke about the future in-laws, the wedding night and many other things associated with the marriage. The family members of both the bride and groom sing and dance all night.
Mehendi
The girls and women of the family decorate their hands, forearms and feet with the henna design. The henna is left overnight to achieve the dark colour, which is the sign of prosperity. The bride is applied most beautiful henna design, which make her stand out of the crowd.
Haldi
A thick paste of turmeric and other ingredients like sandalwood and oils is applied all over the body of the bride and groom in their respective homes. Turmeric is believed to enhance the beauty, and remove skin blemishes. The turmeric also enlivens the skin.
Another ritual is performed to protect the bride from the evil eyes, and also removing bad omen.
The wedding
After visiting the temple, the groom arrives in procession to the wedding venue, sitting on a horseback or on a float surrounded by the guests. The groom enters the wedding venue and waits for his bride to arrive. The bride reaches the wedding venue, beautifully dressed in the traditional wedding attire. The bride and groom are made to seat on chairs similar to throne. The bride is accompanied by her family and close friends.
The couple sits on the throne while the guests enjoy the feast and music in Agarwal matrimony. The bride and groom are not expected to talk to each other, but time has changed, and the bride and groom are also included during the wedding dance and feast.
After the wedding feast in Agarwal matrimony, the priest, bride & groom and their parents sit for the whole night to perform the wedding rituals. During the detailed wedding, the bride is offered clothes and jewellery, and is accepted as the part of her husband’s family.
The bridegroom puts vermillion in the hair parting of the bride, and then they take seven steps, also known as Saptapadi. During the seven steps, the bride and groom take a vow in each step, and are officially declared as husband and wife. The groom ties a string around the neck of the bride as a sign of protection. After all the rituals and emotional moments, the bride bids adieu to her parents, and leave her paternal home with a heavy heart.
Reception
The bride is given a warm welcome at the groom’s house, where a grand party is organized in her honor. The relatives, friends and other acquaintances come to greet the couple, and present them gifts. The family prays for the well being and prosperity of the couple.
This way the wedding in Agarwal matrimony accomplishes, and a new life for the couple starts.
Rashmi writes on behalf of Jeevansathi.com, which is India’s fastest growing Matrimonial website. Jeevansathi.com helps the users to search corresponding matches from their respective community like Hindu Matrimonial, Hindi Matrimony wherein users can avail free registration and make initial contact with each other.