LAAJA HOMAM | INDIAN WEDDING CEREMONY
What it entails
The LaajaHomam ritual is one of the concluding rites of a Hindu wedding ceremony. In some region, it is not included in the wedding rites at all while some adopt it. The English interpretation of LaajaHomam from the Sanskrit language is ‘the offering of puffed rice to the sacred fire’. The VivaahHoma is a sacred fire pit located within the Mandap used during the LaajaHomam. As the LaajaHomam is being performed, the bride offers her groom rice, in effect wishing him long life and good health to keep their family going and productive. The bride’s brother or close male relative assist her with the rice offering as she is not allowed to use both of her hands.
The bride’s hand is positioned atop the groom’s such that as the brother (or close male relative) pours the rice, it will flow through the bride’s fingers and onto the groom’s. The assistance of the brother in pouring the rice is symbolic of a good relationship and loving bond between the two families even after the wedding ceremony is concluded. After the rice has been poured, the couple walk around the fire together three times and sprinkle the rice into it.
The LaajaHomam ritual symbolizes the invocation of Lord Agni, the Hindu Fire God to witness the wedding and bless the couple with happiness and prosperity in return for the rice offering. Some hymns are also chanted to honor the Lord Yama, revered as the God of death, in order to attract prosperity and happiness for the groom.
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