The Indian wedding is best characterized by delectable cuisine, lovely attire, a boisterous, noisy family, and endless enjoyment. Small, significant rituals enhance the marriage’s significance. The practice of exchanging varmala, or garland in plain English, is one of the most significant. The history of garlands in Indian weddings is fascinating.
Indian brides and grooms must exchange a densely woven jaimala of flowers before the union is complete. Hindu mythology contains many tales that explain the meaning behind the entire procedure. Here are some previously untold tales about the garland exchange custom.
But First, What Is A Varmala?
The flower garlands involved and exchanged are termed as the varmala. In the past, the connotation meant was significant as it marked the bride and groom’s acceptance of the marriage proposal. The ceremony has historical precedents in numerous ancient writings and faiths. Even in Gandharva Vivahs, unions of celestial beings, and the exchanged of garlands was a ceremony that signifies their union.
The sweet-smelling, just bloomed flowers that make up the jaimalas, are vibrantly colored. Vibrant flowers are used for these flower garlands, to leave a long-lasting visual impression on people’s thoughts. The wedding garland is still preferred because of its aesthetics and scent even though it is exceedingly challenging to put together.
Typically, flower garlands use small, glittery embellishments and rose or jasmine flowers. Even after being preserved for a few hours, the garland used in Indian weddings retains its beauty and intactness thanks to the aroma of rose and jasmine. But millennial couples are moving towards creative flower garlands with multiple flowers and hues. These garlands have the potential to burn a sizable hole in your wallet. They may be attractive to the eye, but they are expensive and cumbersome to transport.
People these days even choose synthetic varmalas. You can use fabric, net, foil, tiny decorations, and decorative elements to make these. They are becoming more and more popular these days because they are simple to manage, do not readily break or get spoilt, and offer a better alternative to a genuine marriage garland. These are much simpler to work with than genuine garlands because they are entirely constructed of artificial materials. Because there is no possibility of them spoiling, they are more economically viable to produce and you can even make them right in the comfort of your home!
History Of Varmalas
In the past, a girl would select her future husband by placing a garland around his neck during a ritual known as Swayamwar. You can find this ceremony in numerous ancient scriptures and epics, with Ramayana being the most notable. After Lord Ram breaks the bow in the Ramayana, Sita places a garland around his neck as a sign of her acceptance of him as her husband.
Like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata includes a detailed explanation of Draupadi’s swayamwar. Similar to Sita, Draupadi had to pick a husband from among the many potential husbands who had assembled. Finally, she decided on Arjun as her spouse and decorated him. Samyukta, the daughter of Jaichandra, king of Kanauj, and Prithvi Raj, where the Swayamvar ceremony is a fun filled occasion with much fanfare, has a fascinating backstory.
Famous Varmala Practices
This level of significance for Varmala is still present in Indian marriages today. The ritual is present in every region of the nation and every religion, even though the ceremony doesn’t just have one different order or style. Once they have met for the first time, the bride and groom customarily exchange the garland before beginning the other marital ceremonies.
The family and friends continue to joke around and have fun during the ceremony. The ritual represents their love and respect for one another and goes beyond simply exchanging floral garlands. It’s a running joke that the person who caves in first and bows to the other person will always pay attention to them.
Indian wedding traditions and customs are well-known. They are so much fun and lovely when they follow certain predetermined rituals. Every ceremony has a special meaning to it. The same is true with garlands during jaimalas or Indian marriages. They have a unique position and significance in Hindu marriages. Any positive occasion has the presence of flowers. This applies to Indian weddings too!
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