Astrological Rituals and Their Importance in Indian Weddings
It's no secret that Indian weddings are celebrated with grandeur. They often involve a week of entertainment for the guests. There is a good reason for this: not only the union of two souls but also the union of two families is celebrated. From that moment on, the two families will walk side by side in grief and joy.
The most important thing for Indian marriage to happen is to hear "yes," not from the bride but from both families. The couple may not even have enough time to get to know each other and understand if they can really spend their whole lives together.
Today, platforms like Nebula astrology give both families an opportunity to look into a person's character without communicating with them personally. It's enough to find out when and where exactly they were born.
Back To The History: Nebula Astrology Insights
Astrology has long been used in India. Today, it is firmly established in various areas of Indian life, especially marriage. You can find mentions of astrology in ancient Indian texts like the Rigveda, which contains hymns about the movements of celestial bodies and their influence on people.
Astrology is closely connected to Hindu rituals. For many decades, people in India have used astrology to diagnose health issues and determine when and how to start treating a person. Today, they use astrological advice to choose the best timing for religious events, festivals, and plans, like going on a family trip.
Over centuries, the practice of choosing brides and grooms and planning a wedding with the help of astrology has become a tradition in India. Grandmothers pass astrology on to their grandchildren as a reliable method of building a happy family.
Pre-Wedding Astrological Rituals
Before someone says "I do" at an Indian wedding, the family analyzes the couple separately and together using different astrological concepts. Wishing the couple to have a wonderful life together full of happiness and kids, the family can insist on certain rituals, which are also related to astrology and the position of the planets.
Kundali Matching is the first test for a couple. Families compare the natal charts of the bride and groom. Many people believe the planetary positions at the time of a person's birth can impact the marriage life. They compare the couple's horoscopes across eight parameters, known as Gunas. They tell if a couple is compatible mentally and emotionally and show how they will feel around each other. Families can also see the state of health of the newlyweds, as well as whether they will live together for a long time.
The next step is Muhurat, choosing the right time for the wedding. Indian astrologers believe that the time when the wedding ritual takes place affects whether the couple will have a happy life.
Navagraha Shanti Puja Ritual
Within Vedic astrology, the nine celestial bodies that have an impact on our lives are referred to as the Nava Grahas. A person's fate is believed to be shaped by the alignment and position of these planets at the moment of their birth.
Read: The Anatomy of an Indian Wedding
The positions of the Nava Grahas in the couple's horoscopes are the universe's way of asking to take a look at something. If any of the planets are in a challenging position, it may cause a problem in marriage. To avoid obstacles, Indian couples can perform the Nava Graha Shanti Puja ritual. It is a Vedic ritual that involves worshiping the nine planetary deities to neutralize any negative effects in the couple's horoscopes. A couple needs to find a qualified priest to conduct this ritual.
Image: The First Indian Destination Wedding at Royal M Resorts Al Aqah
Saptapadi – The Main Astrological Ritual During the Wedding
Indian weddings are the place where you can see a beautiful astrological ritual, Saptapadi. The bride and groom take seven steps together around the sacred fire.
The number seven is not taken for nothing. It corresponds to the seven planets. Each step of the couple symbolizes the influence of the planets on the future spouse. If everything goes smoothly, the spouses will be blessed by higher forces.
Image: Thunder in Paradise Indian Wedding in Ras Al Khaimah
Conclusion
Many Indian families consult professional astrologers before arranging their children's weddings. From matching horoscopes to selecting the Muhurat, they use many astrological tools to ensure that every aspect of the wedding is aligned with the planets.
Although traditions are gradually losing their influence in some Indian families, the relevance of astrological rituals remains strong. Older relatives insist that young people value traditions and convince them to perform rituals. The consent of the universe for marriage really does not hurt: it is wonderful when even the planets agree on the marriage of you two.
