Kool, our weddings are a bit different, as the actual wedding takes place in the evening and night depending on the auspicious time. The haldi ceremony happens right after water is offered to the ancestors, in the morning. During the ceremony, the bride generally wears a yellow saree and gets the traditional bath from the kalash (performed by 5 or 7 married women). I have seen girl's dressed up in an all yellow marigold flower saaj (from head to toe, right before the haldi ceremony for this). The flower saaj comes from the groom side. I don't know if the yellow saree was suppose to come from mama, but I know, girls can be given away (Kanyadaan) by mamas, since mamas are considered the first relative (kutum).
In the evening the bride actually wears the red/maroon traditional benarasi saree for the actual wedding. The red color is most commonly preferred for bride. In ancient times, the girl didn't wear the blouse as we have it now. The groom is given to wear a dhoti (that is made of silk, but much smaller in length). To cover the upper portion of the body, a shawl made of the same material is given. Both come from the bride side for marriage. Traditional the groom only wears these 2 clothing – nowadays, of course, groom will just put these on over undergarments. So, both the attires of the bride and the groom actually come from the father (Janhvi). I know for instance in NI, the groom don't change into anything for the actual ceremony. Interesting, the sindoor and the first saree (called lajja bastra – to cover up the head (shy)) come from the groom.
Lot of these traditions is not only followed in upanayan, but in our rice ceremony after 6 months. My son went through a mini- marriage, with tattya, offering ancestors food and water, haldi and the traditional bath. He then was given the first rice by his mama.
Now, truthfully, I think it is up to the people to really follow or venerate what they really feel that is close to their heart and belief. Most ppl still feels (especially girl's father) it is a form of duty that they have to perform in their life. I know my dad felt that way too, that being a girl's father; it is something that God bestowed him with, a duty that he needs perform. Of course, marriage can even happen without someone doing the daan, but isn't then the priest who performs that duty?
Coming to PR land, both Purvi and Archana, must have thought highly of this daan highly too, otherwise they couldn't have gone on demanding it of Manav, at the expense of pushing Ovi over the edge. Archana could have performed it for Purvi too. In that context (since it was shown to be of the highest importance) then obviously not following the ritual rightly by the girl who wanted it so much, makes it not only a mockery, but a disgraceful act. My opinion of course.
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