SINDOOR FACTOR - Page 2

Originally posted by: sugar sweet

exactly what i had been thinking n did raise in another thread but rather concentrating on the whole concept of marriage which is being reduced 2 just the application of sindoor ...i understand that the sindoor is very symbolic 4 a married hindu woman 4 which reason it needs 2 b applied in the correct manner with respect n not merely as a 'sweet romantic gesture' which belittles the whole concept

you took the words right out of my mouth....

yeah ok sure it is gud 4hinduz but!!!!!! wot about indians such as sikhs do they apply it as well don't think that this is a stupid question cuz i m pretty dum i am a sikh but i don't no!!!!!

Hi I am a Muslim. Can someone please tell me the importance of the sindhoor? I dont mean to be rude but I have always been fascinated by Hindu rituals. They are truly colourful and lively. I hope I have not offended anyone

Zahira, I am enclosing a few of the many stages of a hindu wedding in which the sindoor is the last stage after a ceremony and is defined as follows-

Suhaag or Sindhoordana

The groom places sindhoor (red powder) on the bride's hair symbolizing her as a married woman.

Few of the Stages of a marriage ceremony

Kanya Danam (Giving away of the daughter)

The bride accepts her change of status from an unmarried woman to a wife by spreading turmeric powder on her hands.

Kana Danam is performed by the father (or uncle of guardian) of the bride in presence of a large gathering that is invited to witness the wedding.

Vivaaha (Wedding)

The bride and the bridegroom face each other, and the priest ties their garments (the bride's saree to the groom's shirt) in a knot, symbolizing the sacred union.

The bride and the bridegroom garland each other and exchange the rings.

Next the nuptial fire, symbolizing the divine witness, and the sanctifier of the sacrament, is installed and worshipped.

Agni Parinaya : The Circumambulation of the Fire

The bridegroom holds the bride by the hand and both walk three times around the nuptial fire.

Both offer oblations and recite appropriate Vedic hymns to Gods for prosperity, good fortune, and conjugal fidelity.

They touch each others heart and pray for union of their hearts and minds

Asmaarohana or Shilarohana (Mounting the stone)

At the end of each round of nuptial fire, both the bride and the groom step on a stone and offer a prayer for their mutual love to be firm and steadfast like the stone.

Satapadi (Seven Steps)

This is the most important rite of the entire ceremony. Here the bride and the bridegroom take seven steps together around teh nuptial fire (Agni) and make the following seven promises to each other :

As per the Vedic rituals, the bridegroom sings the following :

With God as our guide, let us take :

the first step to nourish each other

the second step to grow together in strength

the third step to preserve our wealth

the fourth step to share our joys and sorrows

the fifth step to care for our children

the sixth step to be together forever

the seventh step to remain lifelong friends,

the perfect halves to make a perfect whole.

After the seventh step he makes her remain where she is and says:

"With seven steps we become friends. Let me reach your friendship. Let me not be severed from your friendship. Let your friendship not be severed from me."

The Saptapadi ceremony concludes with a prayer that the union is indissoluble. At the end of this ceremony, the bridegroom and bride become husband and wife.

Mangal Sutra Dharana

Meaning: This is a sacred thread, this is essential for my long life. I tie this around your neck

O maiden, having many auspicious attributes, may you live happily for a hundred years

Suhaag or Sindhoordana

The groom places sindhoor (red powder) on the bride's hair symbolizing her as a married woman.

Aashirvaad

The groom's parents bless the couple and offer cloth or flower to the bride (now their daugher-in-law), symbolizing her joining of the groom's family.

All those assembled shower flowers on the couple and bless them completing the marriage.