Significance Of Kanyadaan: Hindu Marriage Ritual

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Kanyadaan is a popular Hindu ritual in which the father gives away his maiden daughter in marriage to the groom. It is a highly valued Hindu marriage ritual. Kanyadaan literally means 'gifting a girl'. This signifies that the father gives away his daughter to the groom as a gift as part of his duty as a parent.

The ritual of Kanyadaan is performed in almost all Hindu marriages where the father puts the hand of his daughter into the groom's hand. The Vedic mantras are chanted to ensure that the bond between the bride and the groom remains strong. This is the moment when the girl is believed to have been separated from her maiden family and is incorporated in the family of her husband.

Kanyadaan is often referred to as the Maha daan or a great donation. This is because the father has to give away his most precious possession i.e. his daughter to a stranger. This great donation is said to bring good fortune and prosperity to the bride's family. Let us know more about the significance of Kanyadaan ritual.

MEANING OF THE 'SAAT PHERE'

Orthodox Views About Kanyadaan
According to the orthodox views, a father must give only his virgin daughter as a gift to the bridegroom during marriage. According to Vedic views, on the wedding day the bride is regarded as Goddess Lakshmi and the groom is regarded as Lord Vishnu. Hence, Goddess Lakshmi is handed over to Lord Vishnu as a gift which is supposed to bring happiness and prosperity to both families.

The Ritual Of Kanyadaan
The ritual of Kanyadaan is usually performed by the parents of the bride. However it can be performed by any elder member of the family in case the bride's parents are not present. The bride's right hand is placed on the groom's hand along with betel leaves, betel nut, flowers, fruits, conch and gold. The bride's mother pours water on the palms of the bride which flows down to the palms of the groom. The groom has to touch the right shoulder of the bride. The Vedic hymns are chanted by the priest to sanctify the marriage.

Significance Of The Ritual
This ritual signifies that the responsibility of the parents towards the bride is washed away and the the bride now belongs only to her husband. The father makes the groom promise that he would fulfill the three basic needs of his daughter throughout his life. These three needs are: Dharma, Artha and Kama. Touching of the bride's shoulder by the groom signifies that the groom accepts his responsibility towards the bride as her husband. He has to take care and protect his wife for the rest of her life just like the way her parents did.

Thus, in this pious and emotional ritual of Kanyadaan, the father officially hands over all his rights and duties towards his daughter to the groom.