Contents: Preface. 1. The sixteen rituals and sacraments. 2. Sacred customs and rituals. 3. Search of suitable girl/boy and Vaagdaan. 4. Engagement ceremony (Sagaai). 5. Marriage-paintings (Chittaram). 6. Marriage preparations. 7. Inviting Ganeshji (Ganeshji ko Nyontanaa). 8. Wedding dates (Lagna Lekhan). 9. Sweet-making and paddy husking ritual (Haath Dhaan). 10. Establishing the Vinaayakji (Ganapati Sthaapanaa). 11. Applying perfumed paste (Haldi-Chandan). 12. Tying of safety thread (Dolda Baandhanaa). 13. Wedding cards distribution ceremony (Battisee). 14. Henna ritual (Mehandi Rachaav). 15. Taking out small wedding procession (Bindaulaa) ceremony in localities. 16. Establishing the sacred pitcher (Kalash Sthapanaa). 17. Waking up the whole night (Raatijagaa). 18. Taking out wedding procession (Bindaulee). 19. Song and dance Assembly (Geet-sangeet Mahfil). 20. Worshipping the earth (Rodee Poojan). 21. Maternal house's gift (Maayaraa). 22. Horse worship and departure of Baaraat (Nikaasi). 23. Song of congratulations (Badhaave ke Geet). 24. Fun, frolic and jokes (Toontiyaa). 25. Pillar-erecting ceremony (Thaam/Maandaa Ropanaa). 26. Setting up a marriage platform (Lagna Mandap). 27. Arrival of procession at Bride's place (Bad-Badhaaoo). 28. Ornaments for the bride (Padla). 29. Relatives embracing each other (Milanee). 30. Welcoming the guests (Agavaanee). 31. Making new relationships (Torana and Kaaman). 32. Testing the groom (Vara ka Poonkhnaa). 33. Worshipping the tying of sacred knot (Maayaam mein Poojan and Gathajoraa). 34. The hand-taking ceremony (Hathalevaa). 35. Circumambulation of fire --Agni Pradakshinaa (Phere). 36. Hiding the shoes (Joote Chhipaanaa). 37. Climbing the mountain (Parvataarohana). 38. Hand-taking and the vows (Paanigrahan and Vachana). 39. Filling vermilion and wearing wedding thread (Maangbharaayee and Mangalsutra). 40. Daughter's marriage rite (Kanyaadaan). 41. Walking seven steps together (Saptapadee). 42. Family genealogies (Shaakhochchaar). 43. Prayers by the bride (Laavaavidhaan). 44. Observing the pole star or the sun (Dhruva Taaraa or Surya Darshana). 45. Bowing down at the sacred place ( Maayaam or Kohabar). 46. Fasting on the marriage day (Kanyaavrat). 47. Prohibiting groom's entry (Javaaeen Dvaar--Rokaayee). 48. Ritual of bearing children (Gaud Bharnaa). 49. Untying the ritual threads (Kaankan Dolade Kholanaa). 50. Playing a game of gambling (Juaa-jui-kaudhee Khel). 51. Picking up the cotton swabs (Ruee ke Phohe Choonnaa). 52. Circumambulating the bed and changing seats (Palangaachaar and Paataa Pher). 53. Bride's departure and her dowry (Vadhu kee Vidaaee and Daayajaa). 54. Farewell to the groom side (Samdhi Seekh). 55. Welcoming the groom along with his bride (Var-Vadhu Vandan). 56. Bride's ceremonial entry and her divine footsteps (Vadhu kaa Grih Pravesh and Pagaliyaa). 57. Bowing and touching the feet (Paggelagaai). 58. Wedding plate and face gazing (Suhaagathaal and Muhan Dikhaayi). 59. Other programmes connected with marriage ceremony.
"The sacraments of Hinduism have social, spiritual as well as scientific importance. They fill the mind with noble and virtuous thoughts and help humans lead a happy an contented life even as they have been proved to be beneficial. The volume aims to familiarise the readers with one of the most important sacraments, that relating to marriage.
Marriage is considered a very significant ritual for giving society's sanction to a close relationship between a man and a woman as husband and wife. It is, therefore, also called a social system. The rituals vary depending upon the community, the religion and the state where they are performed. The marriage customs, rites and rituals among royal families are mentioned in this book--most of these rituals are followed by common people as well and are performed in the original or altered forms in the Indian society.
Mr. R.N. Kogata and Mrs. Lalita Kogata did a lot of research and consulted several authorities and have written in detail about all the important rituals involved in Vivaah Samskaara (marriage). The volume will interest scholars of Indology as well as general readers who want to know more about Indian social and religious traditions." (jacket)
