Kanyadaan:

Kanyadaan:

Meaning of Kanyadaan: Overview

Hindu Weddings are rich of customs and rituals and kanyadaan is one of the most important rituals among them. Kanyadaan consist of two words i.e. Kanya which means virgin girl and daan means to donate.  Therefore, Kanyadaan as a whole means donating a virgin girl to groom. 

Features of the ritual: Kanyadaan

Although, there are several rituals in Hindu wedding, but kanyadaan is one of the compulsory rituals that hold immense significance and emotional bond as the father of the bride ultimately hand over all his rights and duties towards his daughter to her groom. Kanyadaan is performed on the wedding day ceremony just after the saath pheras i.e. seven rounds around the holy fire by taking vows.  In this ritual, the father of the daughter or in his absence or death any other elderly member of the bride’s family put the right hand of the bride into the right hand of the groom (Hastmilap .i.e . joining of hands) while reciting the sacred vedic hymns.  Then, the mother of the bride pours the holy water on the palms of the couple.

Kanyadaan is considered as a very pious and dutiful ritual in Hindu religion.  Kanyadaan is very ancient ritual and carried out in India since several years. Kanyadaan provides vital position to the groom and considered him as a form of Lord Vishnu. Thus, presenting him the most precious gift of girl is the great honor for the bride’s parents. In return, the father of the bride ask the groom to perform the three major duties i.e. dharma, artha and kama. As a way of acceptance, the groom touches the right shoulder of the bride and promising to take care of the rights and duties of the bride and always assist her in sorrow and happiness.