Hindu and Sikh wedding ceremonies: With salient features of Hindu and Sikh rituals

This book, as its title promises, offers all about Hindu and Sikh wedding ceremonies -- their meaning, significance, aims and history -- together with some important information on Hinduism, Sikhism, fasts, festivals and duties and rights of a husband and wife. Everything that is associated with the marriage like Milni, Arati, Jaimala, Phere, Madhuparaka, Kanyadan, Mangala Ashtaka, Satapadi, Sindurdanam, Lavan, Maiyan, Vari, Khat, music and dance, Asirvad, Doli, and so on is described in detail. The authors are of the strong belief that the prayers and rites performed on the occasion of marriage of a Hindu or a Sikh indicate that the matrimony is a holy bond. It means that besides the two human souls, there is a third divine force through which a pious relationship is established between the bride and groom. The ''Mantras'' during the wedding ceremony in the presence of sacred Agni in the case of Hindus, or the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, in the case of Sikhs, play the role of the third divine force.