Jai mala/Var mala ceremony

Indian wedding ceremonies today are a lavish affair, characterized with great pomp and gaiety, thanks to the infliction of commercialization. Right from lavish and stupendous Decor to sumptuous feasts and extravagant outfits and jewelry, weddings have become resplendent celebrations. However, the main essence of the festival, that is, the rituals and 

customs performed have managed to remain intact. The bride and the groom are mostly dressed in traditional Indian wear. While the bride wears ethnic Indian sari or lehenga and is adored with sparkling jewelry, the groom flaunts a traditional sherwani with a saffa or turban on his head.

Decription Of Var Mala

Talking about the wedding day functions, var mala or jai mala is one of most significant rituals that are performed. Var mala is a garland made out fresh flowers. Colorful and exotic looking, in the preset times, var mala is also made of artificial flowers. While the tradition of var mala is practiced in all the parts of India, the garland used varies from region to region. The var mala used in southern part of India is extremely heavy and long in size, as compared to ones used in North India. Red roses are the most picked choice for wedding garlands, though you can even go for orchids, carnations, and so on. 

Var Mala Ceremony

Following the reception of the baraat, the groom is then taken to an elevated stage in the wedding place, where the var mala ritual is performed. While he is on the stage, the bride enters the wedding place escorted with her sisters and friends. She is then made to stand next to the bridegroom. It is here that the ritual of var mala is performed. The bride and the groom exchange their flower garland, by putting it around each other's neck. Var mala carries an important significance and implies mutual acceptance of both the bride and the groom towards each other, as future husband and wife.

Var mala is one of the occasions, when fun and frolic completely dominates the wedding scene. Mostly, the male relatives of the groom lift him, so that the bride is not able to put the var mala around his neck. At this, the male members of the bride even lift the bride and the two groups try to dissuade each other. According to the traditions, the bride first put the garland around the neck of the groom. After her successful attempt, it is the turn of the groom to try his luck. The lifts are mainly done to bring in the element of fun. It adds a chuckle and smile on the face of both the bride and the groom.

Barat

Indian Weddings are known for their grandeur. Both parties of the 'Barat' put in their maximum effort to make the wedding a successful event. Marriage is a combination of different ceremonies and rituals which are joyous and colorful. It is due to these events that the Indian marriage ceremony lasts for so many days time. Friends, family and relatives take part in the ceremony to bless the bride and the groom.

There are several ceremonies and rituals which take place in an Indian wedding ceremony. An event, in which the groom arrives at the venue with his family and relatives, is known as arrival of the 'Barat'. In an Indian Wedding Barat, there is a procession that includes all the relatives, friends and family members of the groom. They arrive at the venue, dancing and rejoicing. At the entrance they are welcomed by the family of the bride, with great enthusiasm. The Barati's introduce themselves to the family of the bride, which is known as Milni. The mother of the bride performs a ritual known as Aarti before the groom. It is after this ritual that the members in the Wedding Barat enter the house or the venue.

The groom, along with his cousins, siblings, etc, is seated on a white decorated horse as he heads to thewedding venue. The Barati's usually lead the procession with dance an music. With changing times, nowadays grooms prefer to travel in their luxury car which is decorated, giving it an extravagant look. Fireworks are lit as the Wedding Barat approaches the wedding venue.

• Traditionally in north India, the groom, dressed in his wedding attire, is seated on a white decorated mare, when he heads towards the wedding venue along with the baraati.
• Before sitting on the mare, the groom is adorned with a saafa (turban, preferably pink or saffron colored) along with a sehara (floral veil), which is tied around his forehead, by his mother. Saafa is mandatory, but tying sehara is not a compulsion. In some regions of north India, a sword is also provided to the groom.
• In the mare, the groom is accompanied by his younger brother, cousin or nephew who acts as his caregiver, who is called 'sarbaala'.
• The baraatis are often accompanied by music band, which provides them with entertainment, while on their way to the venue. The baraatis dance to the tune played by the band.
• A vivid display of fireworks contributes to the festive spirit of the marriage procession.
• A contemporary approach to the ritual is to make use of a car, instead of mare. For the purpose, people rent a car, in which the groom is seated. However, to maintain the tradition, the groom travels a certain distance via car and then rides on the mare.
• After reaching the wedding venue, the groom and the marriage procession are welcomed by the bride's parents and the elder members of her family.The bride's mother performs the aarti, when the groom enters the venue. In the mean time, the other members of the bride's family welcome others in the marriage procession.
• The groom's acquaintance is introduced to the bride's family, friends and relatives. This ritual is known as milni.
• Earlier, married women were not allowed to join the marriage procession. However, with the changing time, they have also become a part of the baraat. Nonetheless, married women are still not allowed at the interiors of rural India, to accompany the groom in the marriage procession.
• The barati who comes in the procession are garlanded and seated. Cold drinks, snacks and sweets are served to them. They are also invited for dinner as the guests of bride's parents.
• In most of the cases, all the expenses of the barat reception, marriage ceremony and the dinner are born by bride's parents in most of the cases.