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Of life-long celebrations
Anju Poddar in New Delhi Photo: V.Sudershan.
DO YOU know why during the saat pheras around the sacred fire, the bride takes first three steps and walks ahead of the groom? Any idea about the significance of a coin, green grass, flower and other such small tokens of affection handed over to the newly weds? Or why do you think gath joda is opened after the phera? Or why after all, jua khilai is considered an important ceremony in which a coin is thrown into a bowl of milk and bride and groom have to find it?
Anju Poddar, who has earlier authored two books for travellers on Mansarovar and Mount Kailash, answers many such queries in her latest book "Mere Ghar Main Shaadi", a bilingual (English and Hindi) bulky book based on the Brahma tradition of marriage established by Manu and ceremonies related to childbirth.
Published by Samay Books, it was launched recently in a perfect traditional wedding ambience at her daughter Avantika's residence in New Delhi. It had entrance decorated with fresh flowers and rangolis, a pandal embedded with green leaves and marigold flowers, guests were visited with token of good omen; a mini sculpture of Ganesha's from family members suitably dressed in all red, silver and gold and so on.
The same enthusiastic approach has been adopted in the book too. Anju, who after her graduation in Sanskrit, remained abroad for some time, found there is hardly any awareness about traditional marriages among young Indians. "When I got married, lots of traditional ceremonies were performed. When I married off my two daughters, I found that there are several ceremonies that we are likely to forget because of no documentation. Hence, I wrote the book," reasons Anju for penning the tome that runs into 130 pages and catalogues all ceremonies related to traditional Brahma marriage, ceremonies related to a newborn and the duties of the husband and wife, well supported by specially made drawings by artist Sandeep Saha.
Interesting customs
Anju is a mansion of interesting tales that lie behind several ceremonies. She tells us why in saat pheras , the bride walks ahead of the groom. "During this time, the woman looks most beautiful. So the God of love, Cupid shoots his arrow but the bride endures them all and does not let her marriage affect." It signifies wife's purity of thought for her husband. As to why after saat pheras, gath joda is opened, she says, "It denotes solving problems one by one." Similarly, giving away of a coin, flower, green grass etc to the newly weds are symbolic of joint ownership of wealth, love and eternal companionship, respectively, she adds.
"Though with the change of time, the traditions too have seen several changes, but these changes are acceptable. Take for instance, the newly weds were taken to the Ganges earlier but now Ganga water is being brought home. But as long as ceremonies are followed in the traditional way, there is no harm in accepting such changes," she opines.
RANA SIDDIQUI
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