Marriage in hinduism

• Why were Hindus expected to be married?

  To continue to family 
• What age could boys and girls get married?

  Boys-18  girls-15
• Kanga devi

  Goddess of the home, a term used for the legal age of marriage for girls in some countries
• Arranged marriages

  • Arranged by parents, sometimes advertised in Sunday press
• What the bride's friends rub all over her

  • Ghee (melted butter)
• What happens after the brides take a bath


  Her soles and feet are decorated with henna (orange plant dye)
• Kajai

  Eye makeup made of ghee and camphor
• Where the wedding can take place

  • Home or mandir (temple)
• What the bride puts on for the ceremony

  Red (san) for the ceremony with gold and red bangles and other jewellery
• Bindi-kum kum

  Red spot of washable paint placed at the centre of the bride's forehead to show that she is married
• What happens at the beginning of the wedding

  Worship is offered to lord ganesha (god with the elephant head)
• Mandop

  Special canopy decorated with lights under which the services continue
• What happens when the priest arrives

  He is highly honoured and his feet are washed
• What is done first

  Lighting the sacred fire (agni) to signify God is present
• How the bride's parents give her away to the groom

  Placing her hand on her brother's, pour fried rice to show that they agree
• White cord

  Attached to the couple's shoulder
• What the bride does

  Place her foot on a stone and she is told to remain as that stone throughout her married life
• Manu

  Hindu law book
• According to the Hindu law book Manu, a woman should obey her husband
• Divorce may be granted for unfaithfulness and constant problems