A traditional Indian Wedding

First, the bride gets ready. A lot of attention is paid to her makeup.

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Hebergeur d'image

Henna powder ( Mehendi) is mixed with water, oil and lemon to form a paste which is applied on the hands and the feet of the bride and forms complex patterns. 

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Jewelry is an important part of the bride’s attire: her bracelets, necklaces and rings are usually made of gold, silver or platinum.

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Hebergeur d'image

Her hairstyle is very important too ! Indian brides generally go for voluminous, beautifully shaped buns enhanced with flowers or other hair accessories.

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Sari is the traditional garment worn by Indian brides.

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Malar is now ready and her bridesmaids are delighted ! 

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The groom and his kinsmen arrive at the temple.

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Hebergeur d'image

Hebergeur d'image

The officiating priest chants a few mantras with the groom

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Then he symbolically washes his hands in turmeric powder mixed with milk, almond oil along with  sandal wood powder, which is supposed to protect him from evil spirits.

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It’s time for the reception of the bride at the altar. She offers a present to the priest on her father’s behalf.

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She too washes in hands in turmeric powder

 

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The bride’s mother  applies tilak of vermilion and turmeric powder on her daugther’s forehead.

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It’s time to wear her beautiful lehenga-choli because she is going to be presented to her husband-to-be. The sacred fire ceremony can start : it is a symbol of purity and spirituality.

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The bride’s family give away their daughter to the groom.

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Hebergeur d'image

The couple takes solemn vows of loyalty before circling the fire seven times.

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The end of the groom’s scarf is tied with the bride’s dress as a symbol of marriage knot.

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Raja takes his wife to a stone slab where he offers her rings for the toes.

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The couple feed a morsel of food and offer a flower necklace to each other expressing mutual love and affection.

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Hebergeur d'image

The newly-wed couple is blessed by the elders.

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Raja and Malar are now husband and wife !

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Raja & Malar, were both solemnized at the Sri Sundararaja Perumal Devasthanam Temple on 3rd. July 2009, in Klang, Selangor.

 

(Pictures taken from Gregsvideodotcom’s video, created under a YouTube standard license : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6RaL_PRNM8 )

 

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