Q: What are Sikh beliefs on Inter-Faith marriage?

A: Sikh Gurus showed a lifestyle which one can follow to meet God. It is better to get married to someone with whom you share similar beliefs. Sikhism does not state that marrying out of religion is wrong or a sin. However, for Sikhs, human life is a chance to meet God and to have a life partner who shares the same belief helps both to strive for and reach this goal. 

The more a married couple has in common, the more likely their marriage will be successful. Sikhism is a modern religion, and instructs that all humans are created equal. In no way Sikhism states that one should not marry another human because they are less of human or inferior. Neither does Sikhism state not to marry anyone from another religion. All humans are equal but people from different religions do have different beliefs. So, it is best to find someone who shares the same belief system as you or you both would like to learn and grow spiritually in the same path.

In order to live a peaceful spiritual lifestyle to accomplish the purpose of the human life, one should get married to someone who agrees with and would like to follow the teachings of Sikh Gurus so that the couple can together carry on their journey to be One with God. To clarify, the teachings of Sikh Gurus are not focused on belonging to a particular religion, the teachings value becoming a good person, helping others, and loving God. 

source:http://www.realsikhism.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1253135932&ucat=7

(G.YUKTHA LAKSHMI)

Kannada Wedding

Kannada marriages are the weddings conducted in the state of Karnataka. In performance, Kannada marriage resembles the traditional Hindu marriage. However, the customs and traditions observed do differ according to the region they are practiced in. As a matter of act of fact there is not much difference and the rituals are simple. This provides ample opportunity to the families to enjoy the occasion. Given below are the wedding rituals of a Kannada wedding.

Pre Wedding Rituals
In Karnataka, the pre wedding rituals commence with Naandi custom. It is performed by both the bride and the groom in their houses. It is done to ensure the marriage takes place uninterruptedly. The next is Kaashi Yatre tradition. It is an interesting ritual, wherein the groom pretends of leaving for Kashi as he is devoid of a suitable bride. He only stops when his maternal uncle shows him the bride he has chosen for him. Just before the groom leaves for the bride's village, all the items for marriage are placed in front of Lord anesha to seek his blessings. This is called Dev Karya ceremony. After this, both the bride and the groom are applied turmeric paste.

Wedding Rituals
On the wedding day the first ritual is Mandap puja, according to which the mandap and the hall where the wedding is to be conducted are purified. After this the bride's father worships the groom by washing his feet. This is known as Var puja. This is followed by bride's entry to the mandap. Here, they exchange garlands on the chant of holy mantras. Next is the Dhare Herdu custom, wherein the bride's parents give away her daughter to the groom, by placing a coconut and betel over their hands and pouring holy water. Then the groom ties mangalsutra around bride's neck. After this, Saptapadi ceremony is held and the couple takes seven rounds around the sacred fire.

Post Wedding Rituals
After the wedding, when the bride comes to her marital home, she is given a warm welcome by her in-laws. A vessel filled with rice is kept at the entrance of the house and she is asked to knock it inside the house, with her right foot. After this, the bride enters the house and this is called Griha Pravesh. After this is the name change ceremony, in which the groom decides a name for his wife. He then inscribes it with a ring on a plate, containing rice. 

On the second day after marriage, the bride's parents visit the newly wed couple. They then take the couple to their home along with themselves. The couple stays there for some days after which the groom's family goes to the bride's house to take them back. The Reception party concludes the wedding, which is organized in a banquet hall by the groom's family. The main aim of this party is introduction of the bride, enjoyment, and relishing mouth watering delicacies.

source:http://www.wiseshe.com/2012/11/kannada-wedding-customs-and-rituals-south-indian-wedding-series.html

(G.YUKTHA LAKSHMI)

Manipuri Wedding

The beautiful North-Eastern Indian state of Manipur is rich in cultural heritage and tradition and verdant scenic beauty. The Manipuri people love their tradition and culture and abide them wholeheartedly. The same wholeheartedness can be seen in their weddings as well. Manipuri weddings are as spectacular and colourful as their traditions.  A Manipuri wedding, just like any other Indian wedding is associated with many pre-wedding and post-wedding rituals. 

The Manipuri people prefer weddings within their own community, but they are also not against to inter caste marriages outside Manipuri community.Usually the wedding process begins with the prospective bride and the groom meeting each other. It is observed that the young men and women get a golden opportunity to meet their prospective life partners at the grand New Year Festival.

Manipuri Wedding Attire

It is needless to say that any wedding ceremony is incomplete without the wedding dress and this stands true for both the bride and the groom. The wedding is a very happy occasion and also marks the beginning of their new life and hence both of them dress up to look their very best.

The wedding dress of a Manipuri bride is bright and colorful and has a unique style which is difficult to find in any other community. The bride wears a skirt called ‘Raslila’ on her wedding day. They also put on a red and black sarong which is known as Pindhan. The entire dress is teamed up with a blouse referred to as Silum.

The wedding attire of a Manipuri bride is also distinct in style. Usually the wedding attire of a groom consists of a dhoti, white kurta and also he puts on a turban on his head.

Another very interesting fact you will see is that Manipuri bride does not wear too much of heavy jewellery. In spite of the fact that Manipur is known as the ‘land of jewels’ the Manipuri bride accessorizes with very few basic ornaments such as nose rings, bangles and earrings on her wedding day. The groom wears almost no jewellery at all.

Manipuri Wedding Rituals

The Manipuri tribe celebrates the wedding ceremony with great joy and fun. The wedding process begins with the Hinaba ritual, which refers to the very first meeting of the parents of both the bride and the groom. At this ritual the horoscopes of the bride and the groom are matched and the date of the wedding is set. Another pre wedding ritual is the Yathang thanaga where the parents of the bride visit the groom's place and finally gives their approval to the wedding. Waraipot puba is another ritual where the groom’s family brings food items to the bride's place. Heijapotceremony refers to the formal engagement of the couple.
On the day of the wedding the groom and his family along with other kinsmen are welcomed at the bride's place by a Meitei woman. The wedding altar and the seating arrangement are made around the tulsi (basil) plant. The most interesting part is that all the rituals in the wedding are centered around the tulsi (basil) plant. 
The bride and the groom exchanges garland with each other and after the garlanding of the couple, the bride and the groom takes seven circles (saat pheras) around the basil plant amidst the sound of the kirtan and shehnai. After this two women from both the sides releases a pair of taki fish into the water, which symbolizes the bride and the groom. Last but not the least a lavish feast is served to the deities for the blessing and happy life of the newlywed.

The last custom in a Manipuri wedding is the Mangani Chakouba. This ritual is organized after a period of five days from the wedding. This ritual marks the first visit of the newlyweds to the bride's place after their wedding. A grand feast is also organized for the entire clan of both the families along with other invited guests. Precisely, the pre-wedding rituals, the wedding rituals and the post-wedding rituals form the entire Manipuri wedding.  The traditional wedding of Manipur symbolizes immense joy and pleasure.

SOURCE:http://www.manipuronline.in/About/Profile/Culture/Manipuri-Wedding.html

(G.YUKTHA LAKSHMI)

Oriya Wedding

Oriya marriage is associated with the state of Orissa. The wedding ceremony and rituals bears resemblance with the Hindu marriage ceremony but are certainly different in many aspects. Oriya people are not very showy and believe in simple living. This even reflects from the way their marriages are conducted. However, the interesting fact about an Oriya wedding remains that the mother of the groom does not take part in the ceremony. For more such facts, read on.

Pre Wedding Rituals
The wedding rituals begin with Jayee Anukolo ceremony, wherein invitation cards are distributed. After this, turmeric paste is applied on the bride's body and given a holy bath, in a ritual called Mangan tradition. Diya Mangula puja is the next ritual, wherein the bride worships at Devi's temple and offers bride's bangles, sari, toe rings and sindoor. Once the groom arrives at the wedding venue with the procession, it is called Barajatri. Then the bride is informed about the same, after which she takes a ceremonial bath. This ritual is known as Baadua Pani Gadhua custom.

Wedding Rituals
During the wedding, the bride and the groom are taken to the mandap, where the Kanyadaan ritual is performed. In this ritual the father of the bride, gives away his daughter to the groom and asks him to take care of her. Next is the Haatha Ghanti custom, wherein the bride and the groom take seven rounds, around the holy fire, amidst sacred hymns and shlokas. After the wedding ceremony is over, the bride leaves for her marital home.

Post Wedding Rituals
Once the newly-wed couple reaches the groom's place, they are given a warm welcome by his family. When the bride enters her marital home for the first time, it is known as the Grihapravesh. This is followed by the Astha Mangala custom. According to this ritual, the newly-wed couple visits the bride's house, on the eighth day after marriage. Here, they are given a hearty welcome and treated with sumptuous food.

SOURCE: http://www.culturalindia.net/weddings/regional-weddings/oriya-wedding.html

(G.YUKTHA LAKSHMI)

Gowri Pooje 

  Venue : Prayer room of the house.

I just thought of recording Arya Vysya wedding procedures which will be usefull to me and others who are from this community.This pooje happens before kanyadaan.Preparration is given below,

Pour sugar and water in a big new tumbler. Dip 5 betel leaves in the water like the petals of a flower. The tip of the leaf faces you in this arrangement. This is called kalasa.  Make gowri with turmeric and place it in front of this Kalasa. Worship gowri.

Place 5 turmeric cloves with corals and pearls in the oralu or grinder. Every married lady (relatives) at home will pund the turmeric with the pounding stick for 3 times. In the end, the pounding stick is placed in a vesseld having little milk in it. These pounding sticks are not to be kept inside the grinder or on the flour anytime during this process which means the process should be contineous.

Most of the time these turmeric cloves don't break, so they are taken outside and powdered. This turmeric powder is mixed with store bought turmeric powder. Make a paste. This paste is applied to the brides cheeks, hands and legs. Arathi is given to the bride.

 

Mix uddinabele hittu (Uriddal flour) with water and divide it into 5 batches. Color each batch. A new cloth is placed in front of the gowri and sandige is placed on the cloth. 5 married ladies will place these sandige. One color per lady.

 

All these 5 ladies (inlcudes brides mother) will sit together and stitch the taali bottu. They just link the beads to the turmeric clad thread. This thread is kept in front of the godess gowri and prayed by everyone. Arathi is given to the godess. Sing as many devotional songs you know during the whole procedure. Music creates a feel good atmosphere. I am sharing few pictures

(G.YUKTHA LAKSHMI)

JEELAKARRA-BELLAMU

This is a not so common ritual in Telugu marriage where a paste of cumin seeds and jaggery is made. It is symbolic of the bride and the groom coming together.The bride and bridegroom sitting oppositely on the marriage Dias, will put up the paste, made of jeera and jeppery on their heads each other on the moment when auspicious time arrive. This will make them one mentally though they are separate physically. Later the purohith will unveil the screen in between them for staring each other. In that context the following mantra will be recited by the purohits.

MANTRAM: "abhrathrughneem varunapatheeghneem bhruhaspathy indraduthraghneem lakshamthaamasmay savithussuvahai"

This means that let the SUN God; the brother of lakshmi devi, would augment the couple; let the BHRUSPATHY, preceptor of SURASS, would augment the couple in respect of lineage and the Indra would augment her health for healthy lineage by decaying ailments

(G.YUKTHA LAKSHMI)

Why should we marry??

I was thinking that why should we marry and I was telling my friends that I am going to become sanyasi and I told them that I am not going to marry .They was teasing me that  you are the first guy going to be married in this group.They were telling like this . After I realized that each woman should marry a man . Because parents can't be the full supportive throughout our life.They can bare us upto their ages not after they grew old.Do you know why should we marry??If you get married you know to understand each other and you care for them.You will acknowledge more after getting married.You have some responsibilities after marriage.If you get married,you would become healthy.Because singles become lazy even to eat food and to cook.Singles always used to sleep more.singles do not have supportives after their parents.And they doesn't know about the love, carings and also the responsibilities.They may even face financial crisis.No one to care for him/her when they fell in sick.But married couples have love,carings,responsibilities,support,etc..,More than that marriage is a lifetime commitment.It is our Indian culture to marry after becoming a major(right age to marry).So,realize like me and marry hope u guys marry.

          -SUSHMITHA.G