Cards – A Special Way of Conveying Love

The best part about wedding anniversaries is the romance and the presents. But how many of us know how to make a memorable day of the given occasion. There is no doubt that all couples wish to exchange loving words and gifts on this special day. However, not many people know how to make it unforgettable. Greeting cards are the best way to let your spouse know how you feel. Here are some innovative ideas that you can use on your anniversary without burning a hole in your pocket.

The Tradition of Giving Cards

Even in the age of the internet where you have e-cards and e-mail, the value of self-written words is the highest. A card that you have made all by yourself or maybe even one bought from the market but having your hand-written written words is priceless. Personalized gifts are always a beautiful way of saying that you care. A card is an economical yet interesting love declaration, whether you present it individually or add-on more gifts to complement it.

Picking the Right Card

Choosing the ideal card from the cards shop is not a herculean task as such outlets generally have them displayed methodically according to occasions. All you need to do is go to the anniversary section and pick the one that best suits your feelings and mood. You can select from a range of mushy, romantic, funny, naughty or even sentimental cards. There are options where the cards even give out music or different kind of sounds.

Personalizing the Card

There are always interesting things couples have to say to each other. It is easier to write things down, rather than saying them verbally. Cards are the best way to express yourself. You can pleasantly surprise your spouse by re-writing your wedding vows in the card. Or, you can pen down love poems that have a strikingly close resemblance to your love journey – the poems can be inspired, copied or self-composed. You may also tell your spouse their good qualities, memorable experiences and things that you adore about them, such as how they impressed you during your courtship period. Other than that, you can even leave some sweet notes in the card and wait to see their reaction.

Wedding and anniversary cards can always be supplemented by a bouquet of flowers for an added effect.

Bangles in Indian Culture

Indian weddings are incomplete without jewelry. The following blog post focuses on the importance of bangles in India culture. 

Jewelry forms an integral part of every Indian wedding. In a myriad country like India, the use of bangles can be found almost every community. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Assam to Gujarat, Bangles are used in every Indian wedding tradition. Till date Indian women can be seen wearing bangles. However, with modernization the style has undergone changes. These days’ bracelets have become among the urban Indian women. Let us take a quick look at the origin of this unique ornament. 

The custom of wearing bangles in India can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The first discovery of bangle was made in the ruins of Mohenjodaro dated around 2600 BC. One of the early examples of bangle occurs in the Mauryan Empire. Later gold bangles were known to have been excavated for the historical sites of Taxila. 

Bangles find their references in classical Indian literature. Works like Vyasa’s Mahabharata, Banbhatta’s Kadambari are seen depicting women wearing kangans.

According to ancient Indian treatise, bangles were made from stones, terracotta, gold, silver, glass and lac. From simple plain circlets of metal to the ones decorated with exquisite motifs – bangles are available in innumerable styles.

Bangles continue to bear a huge significance among Indian women till date. Married women are spotted wearing a bangle in their hands as a symbol of betrothal. Different communities have their own way accommodating the same. Glass bangles are more prevalent among north Indians especially in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana whereas in Bengal married women usually wear two types of bangles – a white one made of conch shell and a red one made of coral. 

Bangles are an inevitable aspect of Indian wedding traditions as well as daily life. Indian women take pride in flaunting bangles as bangles mean more than just enhancing her clothing ensemble. 

Author:

Sampurna Majumder

Arranged Marriages: The trend Continues!

Marriage is an important event in an individual’s life. It holds a great significant in the Indian context as it includes the union of two people, two souls and the two families. Let’s throw some light on the evergreen trend of arranged marriages in India.

Wedding in India holds great importance and finding a suitable partner is a blessed thing on the Earth. Have you ever thought that why does the constitution of arranged marriages continue in India? In a country like ours, getting married to a person chosen by the family is considered a legitimate way. About ten years ago, many people must have thought that the trend of arranged marriages would not exist. However, it is not the case so far.

The answer to this lies mainly to the traditional customs of India, where marrying at the contest of parents is considered respect for them.Moreover, even many young people in the country believe that marrying a person who is chosen or approved by the family is a better decision.The idea that love marriages are more suitable options for a long-lasting and happy relationship is not always right. A couple can share a happy relationship, irrespective of the fact that whether it is an arranged or love marriage.

Role of Matrimonial Sites

The rising trend of arranged marriages in India is witnessed by the success of several matrimony sites, which include thousands of registered members for marriage. These online marriage portals offer services to find suitable partner as per your liking for community, age, occupation, etc. These sites are trusted and have gained popularity among young professionals and families seeking a perfect match for their son or daughter.

Like we cannot choose our parents, sisters, or brothers, marriage is a relationship that cannot be always chosen by us.Similarly, the status of marriage cannot be predicted. Its success completely depends on the two people tying the nuptial knot. So, whether the couple falls for arrange or love marriage, the idea of arranged marriage still holds charm.

Author:

Swati Srivastava 

Arranged marriages in India!

An arranged marriage has been an essential ingredient of the Indian society since time immemorial. They are generally arranged by parents, relatives, and match makers or a third party that can be trusted. In fact the match making a lot of times is done by priests, family friends, etc as well.

In earlier times, boys and girls of marriageable age were never asked for their approvals neither were they told anything about their prospective partner. But, with changing times, the society has undergone major changes. These days even in an arranged marriage the consent of both the boy and girl is taken. The progression begins with things like matching horoscopes of the pair to check their compatibility levels, the backgrounds of the family and their religion and caste.

After everything is ensured, an appropriate date, mutually decided by both parties is fixed for the marriage. pre-wedding ceremonies like an engagement takes place where rings are exchanged between the boy and girl and gifts are given to both the families. With progressive thinking, the couple is allowed to interact with each other and meet before marriage even in an arranged set up. This gives them time to open up to each other and also helps them create a level of basic understanding between them.

The ceremony of marriage is extremely formal in cases of arranged marriages, with the family of the bride playing the perfect hosts. The wedding is carried out in strict agreement with the Vedic rituals. When the wedding gets over, the bride bids farewell to her family with blessings for her newly married life. But like most things, an arranged marriage also has its own share of pros and cons. They usually have a better rate of success with fewer expectations and issues like ego. But they also have serious issues that can lead to a lot of troubles. Even if one person in the marriage is not happy it can cause bitterness and can emotionally wreck the two people involved. Besides, such circumstances can make an individual turn away from the idea of marriage itself.  Parents are mainly responsible for such conditions as they put a lot of pressure on their kids. Little do they realize that in the pretext of being over imposing they can mess up the life of their children eternally.

Wavering Customs and Rituals in Bengali Wedding

A comparatively simple affair, young Bengalis are adopting customs of other Indian communities in their own way. The blog post takes a quick look at the same.

Wedding rituals among Bengalis are myriad that can span for a couple of days. Though Muslims and Hindus have their own distinct rituals, there are various rituals that can be found among both the religious communities that can be seen across borders as well.

A traditional Bengali wedding is usually arranged by matchmakers known as Ghotoks who happen to be friends, relatives or even acquaintances who help settling the agreement. Divide into three parts a Bengali wedding ritual usually comprise gaye holud,the wedding ceremony and the reception. It can be said that, Bengali Hindu Wedding is comparatively a simple affair.

However, with the passage of time and in the era of ‘globalization’, interchange of culture and customs are taking place in even in a societal institution like marriage. Bengalis have pretty well incorporated various changes in the customs. Let us take a quick look at the same.

Mehndihas been extensively used in North Indian weddings. However, this has now being incorporated among Bengalis as well. The present generation Bengali youth getting married have developed a strong fascination for Mehndi and young brides as well bridesmaid are often found adorning their hands with Mehndi in a homely function.

Gradually, even the custom of Sangeet is being adopted by young Bengalis who want to add some amount of fun quotient. In these customs, usually the younger generations are seen to be participating actively where they like to enjoy themselves.

The western concept of exchanging rings has long been adopted by Indians and Bengalis are no exception to the rule. These days during the ritual of Ashirvaad, the bride and the groom also exchange rings as a sign of vow which was earlier dominated by other forms of jewelry like a pair of Bangles that has been passed onto the family from earlier generations.

An elegant affair, the new adopted customs along with the existing ones makes a modern day Bengali wedding a gala affair.

Author:

Sampurna Majumder