Love is eternal. Couples are decided in heaven. So true to believe! Such expressions are definitely bound to bind us in the enigma called marriage. Marriage in Sanskrit means Vivaha, which implies what supports or carries. Though around the world marriages are set in different styles, its purpose is to create a union that supports and carries a man and woman throughout their married life in the pursuit of love and oneness. This also unites two families and a lot of respect, love and joy is shared between the each other.

One of the most fascinating and extravagant wedding affairs are the weddings in North India. If you want to witness the real essence and magnificence of these weddings the places to be in are Delhi and Punjab. Every ceremony is so dedicatedly and joyfully carried out where the familys elders play the most important role in executing each ritual with proper customs and traditions. The real roller-coaster starts one week before the wedding. A perfect example of such weddings would be the bollywood film Monsoon Wedding. People here love dance and music. Dholaks and nagadas are the soul instruments to enliven any ceremony. Mehendi is one of the most sacred rituals where the bride is being applied heena on her hands and legs with beautiful and elaborate designs.

The engagement is also one significant ceremony where the bride and the groom exchange rings. The brides father puts a tilak on the grooms forehead as a blessing and welcomes him to the family. Now eventually the day comes, when the girl and the boy are going to be tied in an eternal knot. It starts with exchanging garlands followed by pheras around the holy fire and taking vows to support and love each other come what may. Then the brides father does kanyadaan i.e. giving of their daughter, by placing her hand in the grooms and asking him to accept her. Then the groom ties a mangalsutra around the brides neck and fills sindoor on her forehead, which is a sign of a married woman.

The auspicious day ends with the bidaai of the girl to her husbands home. The girl says good-bye to her parents and family though its not so good to leave your home all at once and accept a new place and new people altogether. Though eyes are welled with tears, the happiness is boundless of stepping into a new and loving life.