Indian weddings are a grand celebration of love and customs. One of these is Vara Puja, an elaborate pre-wedding tradition that showcases hospitality and respect towards the groom’s family. It also signifies the ceremonial reception of the groom’s family by the bride and the commencement of a new journey for the couple.
Vara Puja, with its cultural richness, is a significant event in the wedding celebrations that both families look forward to.
Significance
Vara Puja is a ritual to greet the groom and his entourage with warmth and respect, acknowledging the coming together of two families. It also symbolises the bride’s family’s acceptance of the groom as their own and blessings for a happy married life.
Preparations for the ceremony
Preparations for this ritual are done by the bride’s family. The wedding venue is adorned with festive decorations and rangolis. The Puja space is arranged with fruits, sweets, coconut, flowers and other auspicious offerings. Close family members and friends are a part of this ceremony.
An idol of lord Ganesha is placed on a low wooden plank all ready to worship. Lord Ganesha is known as the god of new beginnings and is worshipped at the beginning of all auspicious events in Hindu tradition. The puja items, including coconuts, betel leaves, turmeric, vermillion, rice, and flowers are arranged around the platform. This also signifies offering items to the deities before the ceremony begins. A traditional lamp or diya is lit to invoke the divine presence and blessings for the ceremony.
Varapuja takes place either in the morning or evening depending on the auspicious muhurtham but it is performed a day prior to the wedding. Women wear traditional attire — saree or lehenga and adorn themselves with gold jewelry and men, dhoti and silk shirt.
Proceedings of the ritual
During Varap Puja, the groom and his family are welcomed with honour and respect by the bride’s family. The groom takes his seat on a decorated platform along with his family members and the bride’s parents perform aarti to ward off any negative energies. Women perform this gesture. They apply a tilak (a ceremonial mark) on the groom’s forehead. It symbolises their blessings and acceptance.
Following this, the bride’s parents wash the groom’s feet with a mixture of water, milk and turmeric. This is a symbol of purification. Sweet, fruits and gifts like new clothes or jewelry are gifted to the groom as a symbol of goodwill.
Mantras and prayers are chanted by the priest invoking blessings for the couple. Vara Puja is a short ceremony and it ends with an exchange of gifts between the families.
Conclusion
This joyous ceremony sets the tone for the celebrations that follow and reinforces the sacredness of the marriage. It embodies the essence of Indian weddings, where hospitality and respect hold deep significance.
