We went to a Hindu wedding today. It was colorful and fun to watch. Of course, I don't understand much Sanskrit. For that matter, few Hindus probably understand Sanskrit.
Fortunately, they had someone explaining the ceremony in English while it went along. They didn't explain word-by-word. That probably would have been brain-numbing. I think it was shortened a bit from its full classical form.
There were prayers to Ganesha and Agni. Ganesha is the jolly Elephant-headed godling. Agni is Fire, and they had to walk around an open flame 7 times.
The groom was Indian-American, the bride Polish-American. I hear they're doing a Western wedding in August.
They must really love each other.
Most couples would be dreading
Having to do two weddings.
3 comments:
Oh that's cool you got to see a Hindu wedding! My sister married a Hindu, and so they too had two weddings. My parents (who are died-hard, crazy Catholics) insisted on a Catholic wedding in a church first, and then we had the traditional Hindu wedding a few days later... with all the throwing rice, oil, coconut and whatever else you can into the fire, wedding. It was fun! But I must say, it was terribly choking with all the smoke of the fire in the hall!
OH, and did the ladies make that wierd, high-pitched, shrill noise?? I don't know why they do that.
Well, cool.
I fear this was a toned-down Hindu wedding. The ventilation system got ride of the smoke. The women didn't make the noise you describe.
The groom told us "Don't worry if you don't know what's going on, I don't either and neither does anyone else."
Ah, ritual.
The bride is Polish, so the other wedding will probably be Catholic, mass and all!
Hi Ergo.
The high pithched you referred to is usually done by the girl's family in a traditional bengali indian wedding. The aim & objective is to ward off the evil spirits before the girls 'vidai'..i.e the farewell...
Hope this clarifies.
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