Weddings are the most awaited function in every family. Everyone looks forth for this day to arrive. It brings with it fun and rejoice. Weddings in India seem like a never ending celebration. It is known for its grand and colorful nature. Although the main day ceremonies may last for just few hours, the pre-wedding ceremonies lasts for at least a week.

The pre-wedding ceremonies are an integral and inseparable part of every wedding. There are many customs and rituals to be followed before the bride and the groom tie a wedding knot. It involves the total participation of the bride and the groom’s family. These ceremonies set the base for the wedding. Pujas and yagnas are performed for the well-being of the couple.

The pre-wedding ceremonies add to the charm and increase the excitement for the wedding. They begin a week before the main wedding, with the Roka ceremony that is the formal commitment of both the families for the wedding. The next to follow is the engagement ceremony, where rings are exchanged between the bride and the groom. The date for the wedding is then fixed.

The next ceremony that is carried out just 2 to 3 days before the wedding day is the mehandi ceremony. This ceremony is held at the brides place. Mehandi is applied on bride’s palm and feet. The name of the groom is also carved in it. This signifies that the groom is now incorporated in the bride’s life.

The sangeet ceremony adds more color and enthusiasm to the ceremony. It is held mostly on the eve of the wedding day. Friends and family members come together to sing, dance and enjoy the moment. It gives all the relatives a chance to meet. We also have the haldi ceremony where both the bride and the groom are applied haldi prior to the wedding.

There is another ceremony called the kangan bandhan that is performed two or three days or sometimes on the haldi ceremony day. This involves attaching some objects including thread and jewellery containing iron on the couple’s wrist. It is believed to keep evil spirits away. Once this ceremony is done the couple is not supposed to leave the house until the wedding day.

All these ceremonies symbolizes the path for a new beginning.