What is Garlanidng-Gaanth Bandhan? or What is the garland exchange at a Indian wedding?
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Garlanding, also known as “varmala,” is a significant ritual in Indian weddings. It involves the exchange of flower garlands between the bride and groom, symbolizing their acceptance and union.
During the garlanding ceremony, the bride and groom stand facing each other. They are typically on a stage or a designated area. The bride’s family and friends hold a garland made of flowers, while the groom’s family and friends hold a separate garland for him.
The bride’s side initiates the ceremony by placing the garland around the groom’s neck, signifying her acceptance of him as her husband. The groom reciprocates by placing the garland around the bride’s neck, symbolizing his acceptance of her as his wife. This exchange of garlands represents the couple’s willingness to marry and their commitment to each other.
Mutual Acceptance: The exchange of garlands represents the mutual acceptance of the bride and groom as life partners. By placing the garland around each other’s necks, they signify their willingness to marry and their agreement to embark on the journey of married life together.
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Equality and Union: The garland exchange symbolizes the union of two souls, two families, and two individuals coming together as one. It signifies the merging of their lives, families, and backgrounds into a harmonious and unified bond.
Love and Affection: The garlands are made of fresh flowers, which are associated with beauty, fragrance, and purity. By exchanging these garlands, the bride and groom express their love, affection, and admiration for each other.
Protection and Support: The act of placing the garland around each other’s necks represents the promise to protect and support one another throughout their married life. It signifies the commitment to care for and cherish each other, fostering a sense of security and strength within the relationship.
Ritual and Tradition: The garland exchange is a sacred ritual deeply rooted in Indian culture and tradition. It connects the couple to their cultural heritage and represents the continuation of age-old customs and rituals.
Overall, the garland exchange in an Indian wedding is a visual and symbolic representation of love, acceptance, unity, and the beginning of a lifelong journey together as a married couple. To photograph this exchange of love. Braja and Kishore work as a team. Braja will photograph the entire scene under the mandap. This shows the parents support of the union and priest offering his or her blessings. While Kishore will photograph either the bride or groom’s reaction to giving and/or receiving of the galand. Offering the clients a complete perspective of this momentous moment.
To see more inspirational weddings, check out Mandala Weddings Magazine.