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Hinduism Ritual Essay

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Hinduism RITUALS Rituals performed and celebrated at the time of important transitions in the life of a Hindu, from the moment of conception to the time of death, are called samskaras. Marriage is one of the four major rites of passage. There is much regional and denominational variation, but the basic rites remain the same and form the core of the ceremony. The betrothal takes place sometime before the day of the marriage. On the wedding day the groom usually goes to the bride 's house and is welcomed in a colorful procession along with many friends and relatives. They then exchange flower garlands and the daughter is given away in marriage. The father of the groom asks for the bride 's hand and the bride 's father formally offers it. The bride wears bright red attire, symbolizing love and faith, and the groom wears white traditional dress, symbolizing purity and serenity. The marriage ritual is conducted by a family priest belonging to the Brahmin class. The rites are performed in front of a fire pit made of bricks. The sacred fire ceremony takes place and the priest sits close to the fire, Agni, with the bride, the groom, and the parents of the bride and groom. The invited family and friends encircle this group while the priest performs the wedding rites. In the wedding …show more content…

Belonging to a particular varna through their jati is important because they believe that it plays a part in the reward or punishment each soul receives for its actions during a previous existence. For Hindus present life conditions have something to do with the purity and sanctity of Brahmins and the high or low rank attributed to each jati. However, social caste is believed to be due mainly to the life led by a soul in its previous incarnations. Brahmins are supposed to have the purest souls. If a Brahmin is wicked, however, he may be reborn as a member of a much lower caste or even as an untouchable as

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