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The Hindu marriage is
considered to be a sacrament, which implies that
dissolution is not permitted. Many of the rites
testify to this concept. The Vedic marriage is the
universal form and the rites associated with it
are a recurrent motif in Hindu marriages
throughout the country.
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The customs and traditions in a
Hindu marriage are multifarious. Yet, by and
large, they have some underlying similarities. For
example, the venue of a Hindu marriage is very
identifiable; strains of the shehnai are a common
feature. In the past, artistes were generally
present in person. Today, electronic equipment
helps create the ambience.
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Some important rites are
performed after the ceremony, often away from the
site of the marriage; the initiation of the bride
into the groom's household is elaborate as well as
beautiful. The general idea is that she is Lakshmi
(the goddess of prosperity) who will bring
prosperity to the household. Her feet are dipped
in milk reddened with alta, a red colour used for
dressing feet and she must leave her foot prints
all over the house. Rice grains are strewn at her
feet suggesting the promise of opulence; milk is
made to boil over, oil is spilled all to the same
purpose. She is ceremoniously given charge of her
new duties - these vary from people to people.
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