Get to know about this Royal Canopy
This article about wedding canopy or shade which is not only about the physical aspect but has an emotional as well as traditional connect too. The royal colony is called as “Phoolon ki chadar” traditionally.
Wedding is the most awaited event which one probably waits for in India as well as in other countries too. It’s altogether full family time. Scrolling through the wedding click of my college roommate, it made me curious to dig deep to fetch the reason behind it.
In an Indian wedding, the arrival of the bride, that is, “Kanya Aagaman” is one of the most awaited moment. As everyone’s is eager to get a glimpse of the bride, and also the arrival itself is a grandeur event. But nowadays, this single event has become a commercial opportunity for a wedding planner. A couple of minute walk can cost up-to crores or not less than some thousands Indian rupee. The reasons lie in the beautiful canopy or the shade under which the bride is made to walk. Apart from the shade the next query which comes into my mind is who accompanies bride.
Traditionally, the bride is accompanied by her maternal uncle and other maternal side family member. This gesture indicates that the maternal side of the bride family has agreed to wed the girl to the boy that is, the groom. The presence of maternal uncle is important because in olden days the girls were married to their maternal uncle. While discussing with my old roommate, who hails from Tamil Nadu (Indian State) told me that, earlier girl parents for the girl’s security and safety reasons married their daughter to maternal uncle. As a girl since her childhood knows about the people will feel comfortable and will easily gel-up. However, this concept is now vanishing and people have moved away, this is because of awareness among the people regarding the passing of previously suppressed genetic disease to the new generation.
With the new ideas and generation coming up to the action, the tradition of Kanya Agaman has changed. Friends of the bride, so-called bridesmaids carry this procession along with some bride’s family members. They also lift the bride above the groom for the next exciting ritual that is, Jaimala.
There are various kinds and designs of the canopy or Phoolon ki chadar are available today which will definitely win your heart when you see it.
PS: Don’t miss the opportunity to attend any Indian wedding :)
Reference
1. Insight: Enchanting Rituals of a Traditional Indian Wedding Ceremony. Available at: https://www.thecultureist.com/2013/05/31/vivaah-traditional-indian-wedding-ceremony-rituals/. (Accessed: 4th December 2020)
2. Enter your wedding in style with these bridal chaadar inspirations — WeddingSutra Blog. Available at: https://www.weddingsutra.com/blog/enter-wedding-style-bridal-chaadar-inspirations/. (Accessed: 4th December 2020)
3. Do You Know Why A Telugu Bride Is Carried To The Wedding Altar In A Bamboo Basket? | The Gorgeous Bride. Available at: https://www.thegorgeousbride.com/do-you-know-why-a-telugu-bride-is-carried-to-the-wedding-altar-in-a-bamboo-basket/. (Accessed: 4th December 2020)
