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Gujarati
marriages elevate the woman to become her husband's sadharmacharini
and is always seen as a partner to him in life's pursuits.
A ceremony to
eliminate evil elements in nature called the Mandap Muhurat
is held before the wedding.
On the day of the wedding, the groom is welcomed by the
mother-in-law in a ceremony called Pokavu (arrival of the
groom). She tries to pinch his nose to remind him playfully that
he will have to rub his nose on the door to ask for her
daughter. After this the Jaimala (exchange of garlands)
takes place. The first Jaimala takes place at the entrance of
the wedding hall, symbolizing the couples' formal acceptance of
each other. The second Jaimala takes place under the mandap
(wedding tent).
While the groom is
sitting under the mandap the 'Madhuparka' is performed
where his feet are washed and he is fed milk and honey. The
bride is then brought to the mandap by her maternal uncle in a
ceremony called Kanyaagaman when the antarpat is lowered
so that the couple again
exchange garlands (2nd Jaimala).
Now is the time for the bride to be given away in a ritual known
as Kanyadaan or Hasta Milap. Varmala has been added to the
wedding ceremony in which the parents and other relatives of the
bride place an auspicious cord around the necks of the couple to
protect them from evil influences.
Unlike many other Hindu weddings, there are only four pheras
called the Mangalpheras (steps around the sacred fire by the
couple) in Gujarati wedding, where the pheras symbolize the four
basic human goals of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.
The Sapta Padi or
the seven guidelines (vows) for married life, are then recited
by the couple while the groom helps the bride touch seven betel
nuts with her right toe.
Once the wedding rituals have been completed, the couple take
blessings from their elders by touching their feet.
After Vidaai or the
moment when the parents give away their daughter, the newly weds
return to the groom's house. The groom's mother then welcomes
her daughter-in-law as Ghar-ki-Laxmi.
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