VIDAAI | INDIAN WEDDING TRADITION
Vidaai – The Bride’s Farewell
Vidaai, also known as Bidaai, is another important marriage ceremony of the Indians. It is a form of a farewell ceremony organized by the family of the bride to officially bid farewell to their daughter as she leaves for her marital home. Vidaai can vary, depending on the region where it is holding. The emotions are usually high on the Vidaai day, especially for the bride and her parents. Although the bride’s father would have endorsed the union of the couple during the Kanyadaan ceremony, the official farewell is done during the Vidaai.
The bride walks to the wedding venue in the company of her family and relatives, with her parents holding her close. Just before she crosses the doorstep, she will be given a handful of rice, and coins (optional). She is expected to throw over the rice and the coin over her head and behind her while leaving. According to the tradition, this is a form of repayment by the bride to her parents for bringing her up to that stage, and for all the care she got from them. This also symbolizes her gratitude, love, and well wishes for her parents as she leaves them. Lastly, it is a way of wishing her house of childhood prosperity and happiness, even after her departure.
After everyone has given the bride their farewell wishes, the father of the bride comes with his and is usually the last person to do so before handing over her daughter to the groom. Then, he asks the groom always to love and care for his daughter, while guiding her in the course of their marital journey. It is common for fathers to get emotional at this stage, considering that they are letting go of their most precious jewel. However, this stage is crucial, and it defines the ritual – the love of the father for his daughter is showcased in its strongest form.
Bridal Party During the Vidaai
After the father’s blessing, the couple moves into a decorated car, specially designed for the occasion, and this marks the beginning of their final farewell. The bride’s cousins and brother are expected to push the car, to show that they are in full support of the bride’s new journey into marital life. Then they watch the couple drive away from the venue of the wedding. One fun part of the whole show is where the female friends and relatives of the bride stand in the way of the car, in the bid to prevent the bride from leaving with the groom. Then the groomsmen and the male relatives move the females away from the way so that their ‘brother’ can go with his bride.
It is common for wedding guests to shower the couple with rice and coins – a way of shielding them from evil eyes – in a similar fashion to the blessings received by the couple during the marriage ceremony proper.
More Images of Vidaai
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