Engagement Ceremony
An engagement ceremony is an important pre-wedding ritual that marks the official engagement of two people. It is a joyous occasion that brings together families and friends to celebrate the couple’s love and commitment to each other. In this article, we will discuss the significance of engagement ceremonies, their rituals and traditions, and what to expect during the ceremony.
According to Hindu traditions, the engagement ceremony is done a few months before the marriage. This ceremony is a formal announcement of the impending marriage and the start of the planning for the big event.
The father of the groom requests the father of the bride for the bride’s hand in marriage with his son. The bride’s father wants to make sure that the groom has no skeletons in his closet. Having confirmed that, the bride’s father also tells the groom’s father to make sure that his daughter is also as good, if not better than the groom! Thus after mutual satisfaction and “Wagdaan”, and a promise for the marriage, the bride’s father tells all that he will plan the ceremony at an appropriate date in the future.
The couple exchanges the wedding rings and the ceremony ends with best wishes and blessings from all the attendees. In some customs, they prepare a “Lagna Patrika”, a written promise to each other to perform the ceremony at a future date.
The engaged couple will be referred here as bride and groom, although they do not become so until the pre wedding ceremony a day or two before the actual wedding.
Significance of Engagement Ceremonies:
An engagement ceremony holds great significance in many cultures and traditions around the world. It is a formal announcement of the couple’s intention to marry and signifies the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. It is a time for the couple to exchange rings, make promises to each other, and publicly declare their commitment to one another.
Rituals and Traditions:
The engagement ceremony can vary greatly depending on the culture and religion of the couple. In some cultures, the engagement ceremony is a simple affair where the couple exchanges rings and is blessed by their family and friends. In others, it is a more elaborate event that involves multiple ceremonies and rituals.
In Hindu culture, the engagement ceremony is called ‘Sagai’ or ‘Sakharpuda.’ The groom’s family visits the bride’s family, and the couple exchanges rings and gifts. The bride is then gifted with a saree and jewelry, which she wears during the engagement ceremony. The couple is then blessed by their elders, and the families exchange sweets and other gifts.
In Western cultures, engagement ceremonies are usually less formal than weddings. The couple typically exchanges rings in the presence of family and friends and then hosts an engagement party to celebrate their upcoming nuptials.
Engagement Vidhi
- Sankalpa and Poonyahvachanam
- Request by the Groom’s father for the bride’s hand for his son.
- Bride’s father’s approval.
- Bride’s father and his daughter propose the marriage at the appropriate Muhurtam.
- Groom’s father and his son reconfirm the proposal.
- Bride worships Shachi for the success of the future marriage.
- Mangal Aarati of the bride by 5 women.
- Bride and the Groom exchange the rings.
- Formal engagement Announcement, Ashirvad, Congratulations.
The ceremony should last about 45 minutes.
Graha Shanti / Grahamakha or Grahyadnya or Devak
The Graha Shanti is typically done a day before the formal marriage ceremony so that maximum number of outside guests can attend the function. The primary purpose of the pre wedding rituals is to kick off the religious and social festivities leading to the marriage ceremony.
These rituals are known by various names such as Devak, Grahamakha, Graha Shanti etc. These rituals are typically done separately by the boy’s and girl’s parents in their own homes. However, they can also be done together, if necessary, especially if non Indian parents are interested. It takes about an hour to set up and one hour to do these rituals.
What to Expect During the Engagement Ceremony:
The engagement ceremony can be a nerve-wracking experience for the couple, as it is the first official public event leading up to their wedding. However, it is also an exciting and joyful occasion that marks the start of their journey together as a couple.
During the ceremony, the couple will usually exchange rings and make promises to each other. The families of the couple will also be present and may exchange gifts and blessings. Depending on the culture and tradition, there may also be other rituals and ceremonies involved, such as a puja or a prayer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the engagement ceremony is an important ritual that marks the beginning of a new chapter in a couple’s life. It is a beautiful occasion to celebrate love, commitment, and the coming together of two families. By booking a purohit online for your engagement ceremony, you can ensure that the ceremony is conducted with all the necessary rituals and customs, and that you can enjoy the occasion without any stress or worry. So, make your engagement ceremony a truly memorable and auspicious event by booking a purohit online today!
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- This Pooja (Homam) can be performed online also.. can watch it live also. CD or DVD is also available on request at extra cost.
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