Hindu wedding is a sacred ceremony which marks the commencement of a new life for the bride and groom. All the ceremonies performed during the Hindu marriage have its own relevance, and it is incomplete without ceremonies, rituals and colors. The whole affair is full of extravagance and spread over two to three days. The weddings are full of colors, and each color has its importance, but the red color has unique significance. Even the rituals like Sindoor, Choora, and Mangalsutra are carried out using the red color. It denotes purity, happiness and excitement.
Have a look on the significance of Sindoor, Choora, and Mangalsutra in a Hindu wedding.
Sindoor (Vermilion) - The divine blessing
Sindoor is a red colored powder prepared using turmeric, mercury and lime, and it acts as a catalyst to ease stress. It also helps in controlling blood pressure and keeping the brain alert and active. In Hindu community, it is seen as a demarcation line between the unmarried and the married women. According to Puranas, Sita (wife of Lord Ram) and Goddess Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva), use to put sindoor. During the wedding, the groom applies vermilion on the bride's forehead which signifies her as married. As per Hindu mythology, a woman has to adorn it till the time her husband is alive, and it is a practice performed for over 5000 years now. Sindoor depicts the true purity of Hindu wedding.
Choora - The Customary ornamentation of Hindu Brides
Choora is worn by the Hindu bride on her marriage day and is a set of 21 bangles in red and ivory color. This ceremony is held on the morning of the marriage day in which the bride's maternal uncle and aunt give her a set of choora which symbolizes the beginning of her new life. The red colored choora not only makes the bride beautiful, but it also strengthens the bond between the bride and groom. It is worn by the bride for 40 days, and on the 40th day only her husband can remove it from her hands. It symbolizes the true happiness of Hindu marriage and culture.
Mangalsutra - The Sacred symbol of Wedding
Mangalsutra is derived from the two words, mangal meaning auspicious or holy and sutra meaning thread or string. On the marriage day, the groom ties this sacred necklace around the bride's neck while the priest recites Vedic hymns. It is a necklace of black or golden beads in yellow thread. The each black bead in the mangalsutra is believed to have divine powers that protect the married couple from the evil. It is a sign of marital status for every married woman and wears it all times to protect life of their husband. It also signifies the mutual love, understanding and faithful commitment between the husband and wife. Mangalsutra symbolizes the real concept and essence of a Hindu wedding.
