"Patram, pushpam, phalam, thoyam, yo me Bhaktya Prayacchati,
Tadaham Bhaktyupahritamasanami Prayata Manah"
So says the Lord in the Gita.
"Whoever offers a leaf, flower, a fruit or even water with devotion, that I accept lovingly; offered as it is with a loving heart."
From time immemorial, Hindus have worshipped trees and have considered all flora and fauna as sacred. Trees, plants, leaves, flowers and fruit have an esteemed position in the religion and culture of India. So much so that no religious function is considered complete without the presence of at least one of the above. Leaves like the betel, banana, mango, Neem, tulsi, durva are intrinsically woven into the tapestry of Indian weddings.
Betel Leaves
The betel leaf enjoys the pride of place among all the accessories of a Hindu wedding. The betel leaf denotes freshness and prosperity. Betel leaves or the tambool, which comprises betel leaf, areca nut and lime, marks the beginnings of all auspicious events. In Indian weddings, alliances are sealed by exchanging the tambool. Invitations are distributed with tambool forming an important part of the invite. The betel is associated with the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma: arecanut, Vishnu: betel leaf, and Shiva: lime.
The grooms' party is welcomed with betel leaves and every event in the wedding is solemnized with betel leaves. The tambool is the minimum and essential part of hospitality in every Indian wedding.
In some weddings, a betel leaf is tucked into the headgear of the bride and groom.
In certain regions the groom's mother or sister gives a ceremonial welcome to the bride. Seven cups are placed on a platter along with fruits, betel leaves, rice, sacred ash, turmeric, salt, tamarind and cotton. A measuring cup is filled with paddy and a betel leaf is placed on it. This is called the 'nirai nazhi'. Water is placed in a vessel and the bride stands facing the east. The person performing the ceremony touches the seven cups three times and puts sacred ash on herself and on the bride. After this is done twenty one times, the bride is given a betel leaf and water is poured on it. The person conducting the ceremony touches the leaf to her forehead giving her a ceremonial welcome.
In yet another ritual comprising the betel, the girl's brother gives the ceremonial first betel to the couple to chew . This ritual is the thaamboola charvanam.
Betel leaves along with coconut or fruit are given as a token of thanks to every guest attending the wedding.
Banana leaves
The banana tree is considered to be an evergreen tree of plenty for generations. In most Hindu weddings, there is a pre-wedding ceremony, which depicts the significance of the family. On an auspicious day, the married women of the bride's family perform a pooja of a full-grown plantain tree before tying it to one of the gateposts of the marriage canopy. Festoons of mango leaves are also tied. This function is called the pandhakaal or fixing the muhurthakal.
In most south Indian weddings, the wedding food is served on banana leaves and so is the traditional Paarsi Bhonu.
Mango leaves
Mango leaves are associated with prosperity and happiness. The residence of every Hindu bride and groom is decorated with festoons of mango leaves. Mango leaves are also associated with purification. Clusters of mango leaves are also placed atop a silver or brass vessel filled with water which is then sprinkled on the couple.
In Bengali weddings, small banana trees are placed at the entrance of the house, under which a mangal ghot (a small copper vessel) is placed. In the ghot, a mango stem with five leaves is placed in water. This is kept for ten days after the wedding.
In Assamese weddings, there exists a wedding ritual called Marol Puja where the bride is made to sit on a mandap made of mango leaves and is asked to look into a mirror. Only this mirror may be used till the wedding day.
Neem
Neem also signifies good health, prosperity and progeny. In certain parts of India, the bride is given a bath with neem water. In the virgin bath for the bride, the bride is bathed early in the morning and is then adorned with gold jewellery. Neem leaves are placed on her head, shoulders waist and feet and then removed with a stick. The priest performs a Ganesh Puja and the bride has a bath again. This is a ceremonial virgin bath.
Tulsi leaves
'Tulanaa naasti athaiva tulsi'- that which is incomparable in its qualities is the tulsi. One of the most sacred plants for the Hindus is the tulsi. Tulsi symbolizes Goddess Laksmi, Lord Vishnu's consort and is regarded as self-purifying. No ceremonial gift to God or man is complete unless accompanied by a tulsi leaf. Even a daughter given away in marriage must be given a tulsi leaf to signify the permanence of the gift.
Kusha and Durva leaves:
The kusha and durva leaves are an emblem of purity and divinity. The kusha and durva leaves are a type of grass used as sacramental rings worn while performing sacraments. The groom wears this ring made of durva or kusha leaves on his fingers while performing the wedding rituals. In Hindu weddings the bride is given away as a gift from her father. The bride sits on her father's lap and on the bride's head a ring made with kusha and the sacred grass durva is placed over which a yoke is placed. Water is poured and mantras are chanted denoting that the bride be tied with this red-grass rope to the sacrament of marriage.
Bael leaves (Vilva)
The bael leaves are considered very holy as per Atharva Veda. In Indian weddings there is a fertility ritual called 'Paalikai seeds' sowing. Paalikais are earthen pots prepared a day prior to the wedding. These pots are spread at the base with green grass and bael leaves and married women ceremoniously sow nine kinds of pre-soaked cereals in these pots. After the wedding, the sprouted seedlings are released in a river or pool. This ritual invokes the blessings of the God for a healthy life and progeny to the couple.
