What are the differences between North Indian and South Indian Weddings?

In India, weddings are noted as the most colorful, elaborate and lively affairs in the world. A typical Indian wedding comprises of three broad segments – the pre-wedding ceremonies, the wedding and some post-wedding rituals. All these make it a lively affair… India being a vast country has so much diversity in languages, cuisine, customs and traditions and wedding rituals. People are usually curious about the differences between North as well as South Indian so here are some basic points that make them unique in their own way.

North Indian Weddings

In North Indian weddings there are so many pre-wedding and post-wedding ceremonies. It starts off with engagement ceremony, then there is haldi, mehendi, sangeet or cocktail, wedding and at last reception which is usually optional.

The most important highlight of a North Indian wedding is the vows also known as Saat Pheras that the bride and groom take around the ceremonial fire. All the functions are equally important as they involve rituals and ceremonies. If we talk about capital of India, many wedding venues in Delhi are designed in the same manner to suit such kind of functions. North Indian Weddings are slightly inclined more towards parties as well as enjoyment as compared to South Indian weddings.

South Indian Marriages

The most crucial difference between North Indian and South Indian weddings is that the latter takes place during the day instead of at night. Plus, the meaning of the rituals is the same except that they are conducted in a much different manner.

Same as North Indian weddings, the venue is usually a hall with a wedding mandap, but they have plantain trees tied to both the gateposts, overhead festoons made of mango leaves strung together, and Rangoli designs at the entrance.

The evening before the wedding day, the bridegroom is led in a flower-decked procession from a temple by the bride’s parents to the marriage Mandapam. After that there is a formal espousal ceremony that takes place. The whole ceremony usually starts off with a pooja of Lord Ganesha, who is entreated to keep away all obstacles away from the couple.

The wedding ceremony is formalized in the hall by a Vedic priest who chants ancient hymns and verses. The bride and the groom exchange garlands just like any other Indian wedding ceremony when they are lifted onto the shoulders of their respective uncles.

After this, the groom walks seven steps with his bride, holding her hand in his. The seven steps are the most important part of the wedding ceremony. Most of the weddings in south India happens in temple unlike north India where wedding Resorts, farmhouses are preferred choices.

The wedding is followed by an elaborate and delectable wedding feast, usually vegetarian.

Interestingly, the main rituals and ceremonies are same at all kind of Indian weddings, but the way and some rituals are different that makes them more interesting. It’s the best time to have your all dear and near ones together to enjoy as well as blessed by them on the most important day of your lives. It’s the merriment as well as the love that makes the whole affair a success as well as the most memorable time of your life.