Marriage customs in Nepal vary according to ethnic groups and castes. Traditionally, Nepalese marriages are arranged between families, though love marriages have become more common. Wedding celebrations can last up to three days and involve elaborate rituals and feasting. Marriage is considered a sacred institution, and divorce rates are low. The wedding ceremony typically involves the groom's family processing to the bride's house with music and gifts, then performing rituals before a sacred fire while the priest chants mantras.
Marriage customs in Nepal vary according to ethnic groups and castes. Traditionally, Nepalese marriages are arranged between families, though love marriages have become more common. Wedding celebrations can last up to three days and involve elaborate rituals and feasting. Marriage is considered a sacred institution, and divorce rates are low. The wedding ceremony typically involves the groom's family processing to the bride's house with music and gifts, then performing rituals before a sacred fire while the priest chants mantras.
Marriage customs in Nepal vary according to ethnic groups and castes. Traditionally, Nepalese marriages are arranged between families, though love marriages have become more common. Wedding celebrations can last up to three days and involve elaborate rituals and feasting. Marriage is considered a sacred institution, and divorce rates are low. The wedding ceremony typically involves the groom's family processing to the bride's house with music and gifts, then performing rituals before a sacred fire while the priest chants mantras.
according to ethnic groups and castes. Traditionally Nepalese marriages are arranged, a deal between two sets of parent. In some cases the boy and his family will come to visit the girl and her family where they strike a deal. If they cannot agree then the boy's family will seek another girl for him to marry. However, in the modern age, this particular custom seems to be practiced less often. Wedding celebrations in Nepal mean great festivity with feasting and music. Nepalese wedding customs are very elaborate and the wedding may take up to 3 days. Many marriage customs in Nepal are strongly based upon Buddhist and Hindu traditions. In the past child marriage along with polygamy was widely accepted and preferred. This attitude has changed especially with the instituting of governmental laws which state that girls have to be 18 before marriage is permissible. Divorce rates are low in Nepal as marriage is considered as a sacred and divine institution. Marriage is the social, spiritual, cultural and legal union between a man and a woman as husband and wife. In Nepal, marriage is not just the union of bride and groom but establishment of relationship between the families. The marriage rituals differ among different ethnic groups in Nepal. In this package we perform the wedding ritual of the couple by traditional Nepali culture. There is equal involvement of the parents of the couple for the marriage ritual in Nepal. There is involvement of many people other than the family members like music band, Pundit (priest) and relatives. The traditional wedding ritual in Nepal is explained below.
On the wedding day, the groom and
his family along with neighbors, relatives and music band leave for bride’s house. The group of people along with the groom and music band is called ‘Janti’. The janti is leaded by the group of women carrying trays with foods and gift (called ‘Saipata’) for the bride’s family. There is traditional music band that play traditional musical instruments called ‘Panche Baja’. Behind them are groom and the group of people performing dance. The wedding ceremony is performed at bride’s house. On the arrival of janti at bride’s house they are welcomed by the parents and relatives of Bride. The saipata is handed to the bride’s family and Janti is welcomed with the feast called ‘Janti Bhoj’ (marriage party). Groom is taken to ‘Jaggey’ or ‘Mandap’ (the place to perform the wedding ritual).
The most important person of the
wedding ceremony is ‘Pundit’ (priest). The Pundit performs the marriage ceremony by chanting the ‘mantras’ through the holy book. The marriage ceremony is interesting due to different rituals performed in front of the sacred fire. There are numerous instructions for the couples while performing the ceremony guided by the Pundit. The ritual is performed by revolving around the sacred fire for seven time with the knot tied between the couples indicating the seven lives of togetherness. The marriage ritual is completed when the groom puts ‘Sindur’ (red vermillion powder) on bride’s head and ‘Potey’ or ‘Tilari’ (a holy Necklace) around the neck. Sindur and Potey have great significance for married women in Nepal. After this the bride’s father washes the feet of the wedded couple and all the relatives and family members will bless them with ‘Tika’ (on forehead) and gifts. Finally the married couple along with the janti departs from the bride’s house dancing and celebrating with Panche baja.
The wedded couples are welcomed in
the groom’s house by groom’s family. Lot of entertainment activities and celebration is carried out at Groom’s house called “Ratyauli”. Ratyauli is celebration at groom’s house which includes singing, dancing and starts a day before the wedding. The marriage ritual is thus the most important as well as entertaining ritual since whole family members and relatives are involved. The wedded couple starts their new life by sharing their feeling, body, culture, and love for eternity.
Kinds of Marriages ( under vedic
tradition) Brahma Marriage: The bride is given as a gift to the groom by the father generally known as the arranged marriage that is mostly followed in India. The act called marriage which is performed according to the Shastric rites and ceremony or customary ceremonies prevalent in the community. Gandharva marriage: There is the mutual consent of the bride and groom and is generally known as love marriage. These marriages are prevalent in the present modern world. where the bride and groom select each other and perform marriage . There is no consent of the family in this marriage. No rituals are followed. Asura marriage: Asura marriage is aggressive and forced marriage where the bride is sold by the father, it is still prevalent and performed very commonly even by high-class Hindu. Prajapatya marriage: In such a marriage, permission is not taken from the bride. The parents marry the bride after seeing the worthy groom. Especially in such a marriage, the parents marry a rich and distinguished person without the consent of the bride. Arsh Marriage: In this marriage, it is customary for the bridegroom to give a cow or a pair of oxen as a price to the bride, especially to the bride’s parents. Rakshasa Marriage: In such a marriage, the bride is accepted by the groom for a fee. Virgo is obtained voluntarily by showing wealth or temptation to the girl’s relatives. In such a marriage, the bride does not consent. She is abducted and forced into marriage. Paisacha Marriage: The abduction of a bride while she is asleep and in intoxication. Daiva Marriage: The giving in marriage of a maiden to an officiating priest in a sacrifice is called Daiva marriage.
Marriage Custom in Nepal
In Kirat caste: marriage between
brother in-law and sister in-law ( वधवा भाउजु +दे वर) In Tamang and Gurung community: (मामा, फु पुको छोराछो र) marriage between daughter and son of maternal uncle and aunt Newar Community: belbibaha, ihee In Himalayan Region= polyandry (ब प त)