Traditional Hindu Wedding

Posted May 22, 2005
Last Updated Nov 8, 2011
hindu wedding rice
hindu wedding ceremony
hindu wedding ceremony

I recently had the honor of being hired to photograph a traditional Hindu wedding at the Bharatiya Hindu Temple north of Columbus, Ohio on May 21, 2005.

I did not really know what to expect. I refrained from bringing my laptop computer because I did not know if it would be proper—only to find, on arrival, that someone had a laptop on the temple floor connected to a video camera and the internet, broadcasting the event live to friends and family back in India. The temple itself, too, had a computer; and it seemed that the majority of the people present has digital cameras, video cameras and cell phones. As such, I learned that the Hindus I was involved with were very laid-back.

The first thing that I noticed while photographing the event was the differences this wedding had with traditional Christian weddings. Whereas the Christian wedding is usually very "stiff” and everyone has a segregated place, the Hindu wedding seemed to be much more inclusive for the audience. The family atmosphere was much more prevalent than in weddings I am accustomed to. Throughout the entire ceremony, friends and family approached the bride and groom without fear that they were interrupting. I did not notice any point where conversation was taboo—all could speak when and as they wished. Children roamed without consequence.

hindu wedding photo

I did enjoy the ceremony as a unique experience. I did, however, make the mistake of walking into the temple at one point with shoes on—something that you are not supposed to do. I also neglected to realize a key moment in the ceremony—when the priest was "tying the knot” (quite literally tying the bride and groom’s apparel together) I thought he was simply adjusting their clothing—and I missed this key moment. Luckily, I captured most of the moments of the wedding, which lasted several hours.

The family graciously invited me to eat some traditional Indian food, which I quite liked. I also found everyone to be friendly, courteous and open. Afterwards, when talking to the groom’s uncle, I learned that I was not the only one present who did not understand the chanting of the priest—he said that for the most part, no one knew what the priest had been chanting.

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Amit Kumar Mishra

Oct 1, 2010

Sir this is the very useful pictures that I use in my project preparation to submit in my mca project that is the very good picture which I really want to submit

veena siviliani

Jan 31, 2009

It looks like a traditional south Indian wedding. In reply to the previous poster, What is strage about this and where do YOU come from?

Raja Manu

Aug 31, 2006

Shawn,



I liked your pictures. Excellent job.



This is not the only way Hindu wedding/marriage is performed.

There are several customs and traditions which vary according to region. Many of this mentioned in your site is strange to many Indians.



Ram

abishek sm

Apr 30, 2007

This is probably a south indian Telugu wedding. I am guessing from the photos. Each state in India has a differnt customs and practices. Broadly, the north indian weddings usually have a lot of similar customs and the south indian weddings have similar customs
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