Vastu Shastra

Vastu Shastra is a logical Indian science that deals with the ancient tradition of architecture. It is the science of construction and the traditional Hindu architectural system where the emphasis is laid in the directional alignments. Vastu Shastra, as is practised presently, is based on the 125 verses contained in ‘Brihat Samhita’ of Varahamihira. This very point indicates the vital link between Jyotish and Vastu.

Hindu philosophy considers nature and God synonymous; hence, it becomes all the more significant to build a home according to the principles of Vastu Shastra so that man can exist harmoniously with nature. There are 2 main branches of Vastu Shastra: "Manav Shilpa Shastra" relating to construction of buildings and "Deva Shilpa Shastra" dealing with the principles of constructing temples etc.

Origin of Vastu Shastra
The origin of Vastu Shastra is steeped in legends. It is said that Lord Brahma was the first recipient of this knowledge from Lord Shiva as a part of the Vedas, just like He received the knowledge of ‘Jyotish’. And then the knowledge of Vatu Shastra was gradually spread through the munis, seers and sages of ancient India. However, traditionally the foundation of Vastu is ascribed to the mythical sage Mamuni Mayan.

Etymology of Vastu Shastra
The expression Vastu Shastra has its root in the Sanskrit term ‘Vastu’ which means any really existing or abiding substance or essence. In the context of this ancient science of architecture, ‘Vastu’ also mean the site or foundation of a house, site, ground, building or dwelling-place or habitation. The term ‘Shastra’ however means science, doctrine or teaching.

Principles of Vastu Shastra
Vastu Shastra follows the principle that postulates that in the world everything, substance, man and animals, are made from the ‘Panchabhuta’ that is the 5 basic elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. These 5 elements have close relationship with man and his environment. Nature has given them their proper place according to merit. Hence it is necessary that man, too, grant a proper place to these elements in the space where he resides.

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Hindu Wedding Rituals, Indian Weddings

Hindu Wedding Rituals are many in number and involve not only the bride and groom but family members and even the community.

Hinduism believes that there are four stages of life and married life of Grihastha is the second stage. It is the time of life when two individuals come together and learn the actual values of life through the institution of marriage.

Hindu Pre-Wedding Rituals
One of the earliest rituals is the Misri or ‘Ring Ceremony’. It is a pre-wedding ceremony and involves oral agreement and ‘Lagna Patra’ or written declaration. It proceeds with the ‘Mehendi Ceremony’ and ‘Sangeet Ceremony’.Each family member, who belong to the bride's relations adorn the groom's relatives with perfume, costumes and flowers. The ‘Nav-Graha Puja’ (Worship to the Nine Planets) is performed to ask for blessings from the Gods associated with the nine planets.

Hindu Wedding Rituals
The actual marriage ceremony

begins with the ritual of the ‘Vara Satkaarah’ in which the bridegroom and his friends and relatives are welcomed and received at the entrance of the hall where the wedding is to be conducted. The officiating priest chants mantras and the bride's mother blesses the groom

The most important among the various ceremonies is the ‘Saptapadi’. After the tying of the Mangalsutra, the Saptapadi is symbolised by the marriage knot, tying one end of the groom's scarf with the bride's dress.

The last process in the Hindu wedding rituals includes the ‘Aashirvad’ or benediction by the elders followed by the Vidai Ceremony
Hindu Post Wedding RitualAn integral part of every Indian wedding ceremony is the post wedding rituals. One of the more important post Indian wedding rituals is the ‘Griha Pravesh’.

Read More :- Hindu Wedding Rituals, Indian Weddings