| Region / Religion | Key Distinctives | |------------------|------------------| | | Grand baraat, multiple Mehendi/Sangeet nights, prominent use of red/gold, fire ceremony central. | | South Indian (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada) | No baraat; groom walks in; Oonjal (swing ritual); Nalangu (fun games after ceremony); silk sarees with gold borders. | | Punjabi (Sikh – Anand Karaj) | Couple circles the Guru Granth Sahib four times; no idol or fire; pallav tied together; community langar (meal). | | Muslim (Nikah) | Mahr (mandatory gift from groom to bride); Nikahnama (written contract); Ijaz-e-Mubarak (acceptance); Walima (post-wedding feast). | | Christian (Indian) | Synthesizes Western vows with local customs like Thali (mangalsutra equivalent in Kerala) or Manthrakodi (groom’s gift of sari in South India). | | Parsi (Zoroastrian) | Mutha (rice and coconut thrown at couple); Haath Boravanu (hand-tying with cotton thread); Chero Charo (seven circles around a table with fire). |
In Indian culture, the wedding process begins long before the actual ceremony. Pre-wedding rituals are an integral part of the wedding preparations, which include:
