Significance of a Betel leaf in Indian weddings
By | August 17, 2010
“Patram, pushpam, phalam, thoyam, yo me Bhaktya Prayacchati, Tadaham Bhaktyupahritamasanami Prayata Manah”
So says the Lord in the Gita.
“Whoever offers a leaf, flower, a fruit or even water with devotion, that I accept lovingly; offered as it is with a loving heart.”
From time immemorial, Hindus have worshipped trees and have considered all flora and fauna as sacred. Trees, plants, leaves, flowers and fruit have an esteemed position in the religion and culture of India. So much so that no religious function especially Indian matrimonial is considered complete without the presence of at least one of the above. Leaves like the betel, banana, mango, Neem, tulsi, durva are intrinsically woven into the tapestry of Indian weddings.
The betel leaf enjoys the pride of place among all the accessories of a Hindu wedding. The betel leaf denotes freshness and prosperity. Betel leaves or the tambool, which comprises betel leaf, areca nut and lime, marks the beginnings of all auspicious events. In Indian matrimonial, alliances are sealed by exchanging the tambool. Invitations for an Indian marriage are distributed with tambool forming an important part of the invite. The betel is associated with the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma: arecanut, Vishnu: betel leaf, and Shiva: lime.
The grooms’ party is welcomed with betel leaves and every event in the wedding is solemnized with betel leaves. The tambool is the minimum and essential part of hospitality in every Indian wedding.
In some weddings, a betel leaf is tucked into the headgear of the bride and groom.
In certain regions the groom’s mother or sister gives a ceremonial welcome to the bride. Seven cups are placed on a platter along with fruits, betel leaves, rice, sacred ash, turmeric, salt, tamarind and cotton. A measuring cup is filled with paddy and a betel leaf is placed on it. This is called the ‘nirai nazhi’. Water is placed in a vessel and the bride stands facing the east. The person performing the ceremony touches the seven cups three times and puts sacred ash on herself and on the bride. After this is done twenty one times, the bride is given a betel leaf and water is poured on it. The person conducting the ceremony touches the leaf to her forehead giving her a ceremonial welcome.
In yet another ritual comprising the betel, the girl’s brother gives the ceremonial first betel to the couple to chew . This ritual is the thaamboola charvanam.
Betel leaves along with coconut or fruit are given as a token of thanks to every guest attending the wedding.
About the Author
Anish Sapra is a relationship expert specializing in Marriage, Family and Relationships.He has written authoritative articles on relationships and marriage and is currently assisting Shaadi.com and Shaaditimes.com as a Family and Relationship specialist.
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The Financial Power of Gay Weddings Q & A
By | August 13, 2010
The Financial Power of Gay Weddings Q & A
by: Marianne Puechl
The Financial Power of Gay Weddings Q & A
Q. Why should people consider gay unions financially profitable?
A. Gay weddings may not be legal just yet, but commitment ceremonies occur regularly throughout the United States. According to statistics from Girlfriends magazine 31% of couples do intend to settle down into a committed relationship. Lesbians and gays who choose to formalize their relationship spend an average of $15,000 on a wedding.
Q. What sorts of goods and services will gay couples purchase for their weddings?
A. Gay and lesbian partners who register with Rainbow Wedding Network, the first wedding gift registry specifically for the gay and lesbian community, purchase the same goods and services as heterosexual couples. Overall their commitment ceremonies very closely resemble heterosexual weddings and include, for example: invitations, jewelry (often custom), florists, wedding coordinators and planners, photographers, limousine services, reception halls, and wedding cakes. When it comes to entertainment, couples may opt for musicians, disc jockeys or something a little more unique; yet it is true that gay and lesbian couples want all of the same amenities and services. They spend a comparable amount of money to straight people and, like any proud couple, want their union to be a remembered event.
Q. What attracts gay couples to a business when they look for goods and services for their weddings?
A. Most gay and lesbian couples want to work with businesses that will truly participate with them in the joy of the moment respectfully. This includes the process as well as the ceremony; for instance assisting with picking out just the right engagement ring with the professionalism and enthusiasm that such an occasion warrants. Gays and lesbians often look for businesses advertised in gay publications or that openly support the gay community. If a business owner wishes to work in gay weddings, it is important to establish an advertising presence in local gay publications, to participate in gay-oriented events or to provide services at charities affiliated with the gay community. At the very least, displaying a rainbow flag on a website, marketing materials, or the actual place of business is an easy indication of a gay-friendly attitude and mentality.
Q. Are there other special needs or concerns for gay and lesbians who are being married?
A. Gay couples look for a comfort zone when utilizing the services of a vendor. They also may want to employ some creativity in their approach. For example, a lesbian woman may want to purchase a wedding gown or she may prefer a tuxedo. At RainbowWeddingNetwork, advertisers are screened, and conversed with personally before signing on. Advertising contracts stipulate that discrimination based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated. If a representative of a company does discriminate against a gay couple, the Network immediately has the right to discontinue advertising.
Q. How lucrative is the gay honeymooning market?
A. Many people in the gay community like to pamper themselves, show off, and enjoy life. The spending trend which began with the ceremony continues with the honeymoon. Travel statistics show the American gay and lesbian community represents $47.3 million, or about 10% of the travel industry. Eighty-nine percent hold a valid passport, and 54% budget $3,000 + on a vacation. Not only does the community travel, it travels well and purchases a variety of services while vacationing, to broaden their holiday experience.
Q. What considerations do gay honeymooners have when they select travel services and destinations?
A. Often gay and lesbian honeymooners will do business with a travel agent or travel services that work with openly gay couples, simply to insure that they can travel comfortably; not only enjoy themselves but moreover feel recognized as a couple having the full honeymoon experience.
Q. Is there other special advice to businesses that want to work with gay and lesbian couples?
A. It is most important to remember that gay weddings are not much different from heterosexual unions. These are two people in love who want to pay for respectful service. Treat gay unions as any other, and make certain there is good communication. Dialogue with your gay clients, as you would with any others. This leads to common ground, and the ability to provide the most ideal services for the particular couple with whom you are doing business!
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About The Author Marianne Puechl is co-owner of www.RainbowWeddingNetwork.com, the first exclusive gay and lesbian wedding registry on-line. The site includes a directory of over 4,000 screened, gay-friendly businesses nationwide and in Canada. RWN was launched in 2000, and the first GLBT Wedding Expo will occur in Boston, Massachusetts on May 2, 2004. |
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Weddings – Why The Fuss? – Can’t Be That Difficult!
By | August 10, 2010
We will begin by defining what a marriage is.
It is the union of two souls, two hearts, two minds, two people and one love; it is a commitment that you make with your partner as long as you both shall live.
A marriage should be both give and take and in an ideal world a marriage is made in Heaven and solemnised on Earth and therefore should last forever. It should be a relationship from which you get everything you both want.
Unfortunately quite often it does not end up that way, a lot of the time this is due to inaction rather than actions. There are sources where you can get resources aimed at helping you in this endeavour from the outset, you have dreamed of your wedding for years (come on ladies we know you have! – Blokes – well they won’t admit that they have even if they did!).
You can use your attitude and thinking to mould and Manifest the Life You Want and see amazing improvements over time. Make no mistake – your life will end up the way you both decide whether that is consciously or not is entirely up to you. Marriage lasts forever.
Understandably there is major importance attached to the longevity of a marriage. A wedding on the other hand is “only” one or two days where you gather with loved ones to celebrate the decision to marry one another forever. It’s probably not difficult to organise a bog standard wedding, but come on, you or your partner didn’t dream about that did you – we’re sure you wanted the best day ever – right?
Well… Don’t be fooled then, a wedding is much more than just one or two days, you will need to be up to speed on everything that needs to be done up to one year in advance to make that day or two as special as you envisaged it to be in your dreams!
As mentioned before, our aim is to help you with this by providing a detailed series of e-books that will help you step by step through the wedding process which will ultimately aid you in ensuring you have a stress free pre-wedding period, wedding day and married life thereafter.
About the Author
Kaval & Shilpa Patel are a recently married couple. Kaval is an Internet Marketer & Financial Market Trader, Shilpa is a Trainee Health Psychologist. The article is one of a series of articles. You can find the other parts to this article series by visiting http://www.excelsiorweddingservices.com/
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