Being new to photographing Indian weddings, I was happy to attend Purvi and Phil’s Puja ceremony. I want to take great photos at weddings and understand them and what happens during the wedding ceremony in different cultures.
I talked to the couple ahead of the day and agreed that I would attend as much of the afternoon ceremony as possible. This was at no extra cost to the couple, as gaining new knowledge was ample payment.
With all their family and friends present, it was hectic during the ceremony, but I was made very welcome, and I’m sure you will agree I got some great photographs for them.
The Puja Ceremony
The Puja ceremony is a Hindu wedding ritual performed to seek the blessings of the gods and goddesses for the couple’s marriage. The ceremony is usually held a day before the wedding and is attended by the bride and groom, their families, and close friends.
The Puja ceremony begins with the priest lighting a fire. The fire symbolises purity and auspiciousness, and Hindus believe that the gods and goddesses are present in the fire. The priest then offers prayers and hymns to the gods and goddesses, asking for their blessings on the couple’s marriage.
After the prayers, the priest performs a ritual called the “Aarti.” The Aarti is a ceremony in which the priest waves a lamp in front of the gods and goddesses. The lamp is made of ghee (clarified butter) and camphor, and it is believed that the light of the lamp will dispel all obstacles from the couple’s path.
The Puja ceremony concludes with the priest giving the couple a blessing. The blessing is usually a prayer for the couple’s happiness and prosperity. The Puja ceremony is a beautiful and meaningful ritual that is important to Hindu weddings.
Important Details
Here are some of the key steps involved in the Puja ceremony:
- The priest lights a fire.
- The priest offers prayers and hymns to the gods and goddesses.
- The priest performs the Aarti ceremony.
- The priest gives the couple a blessing.
The Puja ceremony is a beautiful and meaningful ritual that is an integral part of Hindu weddings. It is a time for the couple to seek the blessings of the gods and goddesses for their marriage. The ceremony is also a time for the couple’s families and friends to come together and celebrate their union.
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