Today Hindu weddings are celebrated on a large
canvas. People are mostly influenced by the lavish portrayal of wedding
ceremonies in Hindi movies. The Indian wedding normally is a four to
five days affair and each day has a special significance and role. The
pre wedding functions like sangeet, mehendi and engagement are
celebrated in a grand manner. So the main day wedding function is also
celebrated on a grand scale. In an Indian traditional wedding the main
day function is usually held at the bride's place. It is normally held
at an open space where beautifully decorated canopy or mandap is
erected. The mandap is the stage for the wedding function. The mandaps
are decorated according to the theme of the marriage. All the marriage
rituals are performed in that mandap or alter.
The ritual of jaimala in which the bride and the groom put garland
around each other as a sign of welcoming is held under the mandap or
canopy. The place where the wedding ceremony is held is a colorful and
beautifully decorated mandap. As a sign of prosperity, the mandap is
made of red and silver color. The four pillars of the mandap symbolize
the four parents of the bride and groom, and the vital role they have
played in bringing up their children and guiding them in time of need
and despair. The wedding ceremony takes place in front of the sacred
fire in the mandap, which is a witness to the wedding ceremony.
According to Hindu tradition and custom all Hindu weddings should take
place in mandap or canopy.
