The State of Orissa has people from all religious background. There are people belonging to all religions and ethnic groups. The culture and traditions of the states have deep impact of the beliefs of Buddhism, Jainism and Hindu civilization that rose to prominence during periods. All religion people coexist peacefully and happily participate in each other celebrations. The chief religions of Orissa are Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Other linguistic communities of Orissa are Hindi, Bengali and Telugu. The state also has many tribal groups. Oriya Matrimony customs and traditions vary for the different communities.
The Hindu Oriya Matrimony celebrations are simple and modest affair. The rituals vary among the different Hindu castes in Orissa, but most of the rituals are same. The rich and unique culture is reflected in their wedding. The Hindu Oriya Matrimony functions for the Brahmin community happens during the daytime. For other community the wedding celebrations start from the evening. There is an interesting fact about the Oriya Matrimony. The mother of the groom does not attend the wedding ceremony. The mother of the groom is involved in other important rituals. However, she will not go with the marriage procession and attend her son's wedding.
There are many rituals involving Hindu Oriya Matrimony celebrations. Some rituals related to wedding start days before the actual day. The first wedding card of a Hindu Oriya Matrimony is given to the family deity. The family deity is the first invitee to wedding in any Hindu wedding from Orissa. After that, the maternal uncles of the bride and the groom receive as well. In the engagement ceremony, the parents of the bride and the groom formally declare to marry their children.
Apart from these, there are many other pre-wedding rituals of Hindu Oriya Matrimony celebrations. There is the tradition where relatives and elders of the family shower blessings on the bride. They also apply a paste of turmeric and oil on her body and after that, she get a ceremonial bath.
In another important pre-wedding Oriya Matrimony ritual involves the bride. The elders of the family bless the bride with smooth turmeric and then she is given a bath. After that, she is again smeared with a paste of sandalwood and turmeric.
There is also a prayer meeting in the temple before the actual day of wedding. The goddess of the temple is offered marital related things like toe rings, bangles, vermilion and sari. The families seek blessing of the deity for a happy and long married life.
