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The marriage is not over, just because the main ceremony is over. The bride and bridegroom go to their new home, and begin their new lives with the following ceremonies: The couple depart from the girl’s house after the vidai (girl’s parting from her parents), for the groom’s house. They carry behind the couple the sacred fire in a vessel. They should keep the re constantly alight. When they reach his house, he says: "Enter with your right foot. Do not remain outside." The bride enters the home placing the right foot - considered When the bride and the groom enter the groom's house, the mother of the groom welcomes the bride by doing an aarati (prayer and small ceremony).They sit in silence until the stars are visible. In many South Indian marriages rice mixed with the turmeric is poured over the heads of groom and bride by bride and groom. After this there are ceremonies of name calling singing and other games aimed at the bringing the bride and the groom closer. Arundhathi Darshana is the showing of the Saptha Rishi Mandala (star chain of the seven holy sages) and the small star Arundhathi underneath the star of Vashistha. These seven sages and their families are the originators of the Vedic Lore of the Hindus. In memorial of these great sages, the seven stars in the Great Bear constellation are named after them. The significance of this ritual is to remind the couple of th Color e cosmic responsibilities they have to fulfill. Darshan (the holy sight) of these Great Sages is intended to remind the couple the heritage they have to carry and the debt to the sages they have to pay. After sunset the groom shows his bride the polar star, saying: "You are firm and I see you. Be firm with me, O nourishing one! Brhaspati has given you to me, so live with me a hundred years bearing children by me, your husband." |
