Languages

Gujarati people belonging to varied castes, religions and communities. Gujarat is the state is having arrogant, interaction and stat of pleasure. So, a number of varied languages are spoken in the state. Gujarati is the official language of the state Gujarat. Gujarati is an IndoAryan language basically derived from Sanskrit. The language of the stat Gujarat, Gujarati is the 26th most widely spoken language in the world! In addition to this, it has eleven dialects, spoken in different parts of the state.

Gujarat shares its borders with other neighboring states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Therefore, there is a small population which speaks the respective languages of the different states also, namely Marwari, Hindi, and Marathi, Bihari, Punjabi and Kashmiri. Apart from this, Urdu and Sindhi are also spoken in Gujarat.

Kutchh  is one of the important areas in the state. It has an independent identity and is growing popular amongst tourists. The mother tongue of the people of Kutch is Kachchi. It is an important language of the region. Kuchchi is very sweet language out from all beautiful subGujarati languages.

Gujarati Wedding Ceremony

Hindu Gujarati Marriage

Gujarati marriage is a highly auspicious occasion in the Indian culture. According to the Vedas, the Hindu scriptures, marriage is a holy life long pledge between a man and a woman. It is measured to be the strongest of all societal bonds and is the beginning into a lifetime of togetherness.

The Vedic marriage ceremony consists of prayers, invocations, and vows recited in Sanskrit, the most ancient existing language. The Vedic wedding ceremony dates back to over five thousand years. The ceremony is performed under a decked canopy, the Mandapa. The Mandapa is the four pillars that surround the madap represent the four parents. Mandapa is having traditional beliefs in Hindu Vedic belief. The ceremony is performed before a sacred fire, or Agni, which is the eternal witness of the marriage and all vows taken.

HINDU WEDDING CEREMONY

The ‘Baraat’

Ganesh Pujan

Kanya Danam

Vivaaha

Mangal Phera

Satapadi

Mangal Sutra

Suhaag or Sindhoordana

Aashirvaad (Blessing)

The Baraat

The original form of a the baraat is a procession from the grooms house to the brides house for the wedding ceremony with the sweet rhythms of Shehanai and Dhol. Swagatam is Welcom process of Groom and his family while The Baraat arrival, the groom and his family are greeted at the doors of function place by the brides parents and family. The mother of the bride then greets and welcomes the groom and his family into her own family. She blesses the groom by placing a tilak (red dot) on his forehead then after the Pandita (the Bhramin). Meanwhile groom is then led to the mandapa where the wedding ceremony will take place.

Now its time to start Shree Ganesh Pujan is the worship of Lord Shri Ganesh, in Every Hindu ceremony begins with the worship of Lord Ganesha, deity of peace and wisdom. This is done so people can find strength within themselves to remove any obstacles that may arise. Entire worship of lord shri Ganesh followed by Madhuparka, initial pujanam and pavitrikaranam.The Groom is then offered Panchamrut, a liquid composed of milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar.

Kanya Danam is the traditional Hindu wedding process to Giving away of the daughter. performed by the father (or uncle of guardian) of the bride in presence of a large gathering that is invited to witness the wedding. The bride accepts her change of status from an unmarried woman to a wife by spreading turmeric powder on her hands.

Vivaaha called Wedding, The bride and the groom face each other, and the priest ties their garments (the brides saree to the grooms shirt) in a knot, symbolizing the sacred union. The bride and the groom garland each other and exchange the rings. Next the nuptial fire, symbolizing the divine witness, and the sanctifier of the sacrament, is installed and worshipped.

Both the bride and the groom grasp their hands together and pray to God for His blessings. Samagree, consisting of crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar, rice, ghee (clarified butter), and twigs is offered into the sacred fire to seek Gods blessings for the couple.

Mangal Phera (The Circumambulation of the Sacred Fire) The groom holds the bride by the hand and both walk three times around the sacred fire. Both offer oblations and recite appropriate Vedic hymns to Gods for prosperity, good fortune, and conjugal fidelity. They touch each others heart and pray for union of their hearts and minds.

Saptapadi (Seven Sacred Steps Oaths) This is the most important rite of the entire ceremony. Here the bride and the groom take seven steps together around the sacred fire (Agni) and make the following seven promises to each other: As per the Vedic rituals, the groom sings "With God as our guide, let us take":

Meaning of saptapadi is Seven steps together in the journey of marred life.

First Step is to nourish each other
Second step to grow together in strength
Third step to preserve our wealth
Fourth step to share our joys and sorrows
Fifth step to care for our children
Sixth step to be together forever
Seventh step to remain lifelong friends

‘The perfect halves to make a perfect whole!’

The Saptapadi ceremony concludes with a prayer that the union is indissoluble. At the end of this ceremony, the groom and the bride become husband and wife.

Mangal Sutra The Mangala Sutra Dharana is the tying of the thread containing the marks of the Vishnu or Shiva on the neck of the bride by the groom.

Suhaag or Sindhoordana The groom places sindoor (red powder) on the brides hair symbolizing her as a married woman.

Aashirvaad (Blessing) The grooms parents bless the couple and offer clothes or flower to the bride, symbolizing her joining the grooms family. All those assembled at the ceremony shower flowers on the couple and bless them completing the marriage.

Gujarati Dances

Dandiya or Garba

Navratri Celebration in Gujarat

Dandiya Raas
Dandiya Raas is a very energetic, colorful and playful dance originating in the state of Gujarat. Its roots lay from the days of Lord Krishna who played raas on the shores of Yamuna river on a moonlit night with his beloved Gopis.

Men and women dressed in colorful clothes dance in two concentric circles one moving clockwise, one moving counterclockwise. Men and women carry two bamboo sticks called dandiyas in their hands. In addition to footwork, one of the most enjoyable part of this dance is the creative use of dandiyas.

The song sung on the occasion is essentially an amorous one. Raas is a very playful dance providing opportunity for acting and exchanging messages through eye contact. It is no wonder that many romances bloom during Navaratri and hence the popularity of the dance among the younger generation.

Garba
Garba is a very graceful form of dance mainly performed by females in a circular formation, it is in reverences of goddess Ambaji. The basics of the dance are singing and clapping rhythmically while going around the goddess. Today many modifications are prevalent to the basic pattern and even men are free to join in. Women are dressed in exquisitely embroidered, set in mirrors cholis, ghaghras and bandhani dupattas! Extensive jewelry in the form of necklaces, bracelets and anklets are also worn. The typical dress code of men is kehediyu, chudidar and a turban.

Garbi
Originally men use to perform this dance. It was on the way back from a battle that the victorious army would start dancing to couplets and amorous songs sung by the Charanswar, or the narrators who used to go to the front to raise the spirit during the battle by singing songs of valor. The dance was characteristic for its forceful movements which would fascinate viewers. Today, however, even females participate in the dance.

Padhar
It is performed by a rural community living around NalLake. In it, performers simulate the rhythmic movements of roving mariners and the undulating sea waves. The Bhil tribes, who live close to border tracts, and the Adivasis of Dangs district, have particularly lively folk dances.