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Weddings in the 'Paradise of Earth' |
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Weddings in the 'Paradise of Earth'
Let's attend a Kashmiri Hindu Pundit wedding
Though Kashmir is geographically secluded in the valley of hills and snow, the Kashmiri society is close-knit and warm. Though they have a distinct cultural and ethnic entity, they are effervescent, elaborate, yet simple and easy-going. This characteristic trend is reflected in their customs and rituals too. Kashmiri marriages follow an odd number of rituals and most of them are ...
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When in Rome....do as the Romans... |
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When in Rome....do as the Romans...
Weddings the Italian way
Amore e gelosia n acquero insieme
"Without jealousy there is no love." (famous Italian proverb)
So if you're considering tying the knot in Italy, or planning to attend a traditional Italian wedding elsewhere in the world, here's a look at something old, something new, something borrowed...from a variety of sources incorporating the ideals of traditional rituals with the practicality of i ...
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Shaaditimes : 10 Favourite Rakhi Gifts 2007 |
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Shaaditimes : 10 Favourite Rakhi Gifts 2007
With "Raksha Bandhan" right round the corner every time you hit the mall you'll see brothers and sisters frantically shopping for their siblings. The mania is also visible online with hundreds of Rakhi specials and goodies to choose from.
Click on the image to view 10 Favourite Rakhi Gifts 2007
However, picking the right gift for your sibling is not always easy. Sure, some people are natural b ...
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Top 5 pre-wedding fights and how to avoid them |
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Top 5 pre-wedding fights and how to avoid them
Being engaged is indeed a blissful time. Everybody is pampering the soon to be bride or groom, you have a legitimate excuse to shop to your heart's content, and are giddy in love. But things can get ugly if you and your fiancé cannot see eye to eye on various wedding related issues. So, set aside those boxing gloves and see how you can avoid pre-wedding fights.
Planning a wedding can be very exciting but t ...
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Grand Gujarati weddings |
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Grand Gujarati weddings
Where progressive minds meet traditions
Click here to view slide show of Gujarati Wedding
The Gujarati community reflects unbounded enthusiasm in the affairs of matrimonial alliance. Their weddings are organised on a grand scale and their rituals are very colourful. It is important to note that like all Indian communities, there maybe a slight differentiation in matrimonials and rituals performed amongst different Gujarati s ...
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Sumangali Prarthanai |
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Sumangali Prarthanai
A Prayer For The Welfare Of The Newly Weds
The Sumangali Prarthanai is a prayer to the departed Sumangalis to bless the bride and the groom. It is similar to the prayer North Indian families conduct to the women who died 'Suhagan' and seek the blessing of 'Sada Suhagan' for the bride-to-be.
A Sumangali is a married woman living with her husband. The Hindu dharma has always considered the blessings of ancestors as important for the happiness an ...
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Qubul Hai! |
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Qubul Hai!
Customs & rituals in Muslim marriages
The Quran says that marriage (nikah) is a solemn and sacred social contract between the bride and groom. Prophet Muhammad made it his tradition to have a marriage sermon (sunnah) delivered in the assembly to solemnise the marriage. The sermon invites the bride and the groom, as well as the participating guests in the assembly to a life of piety, mutual love, kindness, and social responsibility. Islam also advocates simpl ...
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Straight from Sri Lanka |
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Straight from Sri Lanka
Traditional Buddhist weddings
Like India, Sri Lanka is also a confluence of many religions - Hindu, Buddhist, Muslims and Christians and their marriage customs and rituals vary accordingly. During ancient times, pre-Buddhist Sinhalese marriage laws and customs would have been similar to those prescribed in the Hindu laws of Manu. With the advent of Buddhism in the island during the 3rd century B.C., we may presume that the legal position of wome ...
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Teej - The festival of swings |
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Teej - The festival of swings
The sweet sound of rain falling on parched land, the smell of wet soil, peacocks dancing in full glory and young girls giggling and swinging to music. Aha! Monsoon has arrived. And what better way to celebrate than with the festival of Teej.
Celebrated in the month of Shravan (August), this swing festival welcomes the advent of the monsoon. The festival is also dedicated to Goddess Parvati and commemorates the day when she was united wit ...
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Beyond one's own |
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Beyond one's own
Blending different traditions and cultures
The global village syndrome seems to be affecting cultures more than the economies. In the context of marriages and ceremonies, the last few decades have seen a seamless amalgamation of foreign customs by various ethnic groups. Be it trans-border or within India, cultural boundaries may be still rigid but influences are seeping through.
Take for example the custom of cake-cutting that the bride and groom ...
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