Sonali Sundar Reward Points : 10500 Member Since : Tuesday, November 20, 2007
How the practice of Engagement Ring started in India. Is there any Mythological background to this practice?
Posted On : 4/7/2009 11:58:43 PM
Riya Sen [Guru] Reward Points : 93800 Member Since : Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The ring ceremony or offering rings on engagement is originally a western culture. As per one mythological story, the king Dushyanta gave an engagement ring to Sakuntala, daughter of sage Viswamitra and apsara Menaka. He got married to Sakuntala through Gandharva Vivah . It is only this ring which helped Dushyanta to recognise his wife when she reached his kingdom. In India, the engagement ring and the wedding ring are one in the same, the man wears it on the right hand and women in right hand. The exact origin of engagement rings is unclear. Some more romantic people say that the circle symbolises the eternal union while others trace it to a part payment of the groom s financial commitment to his future wife and her family Whichever is correct, a handmade engagement ring is the perfect way to represent two people s love and commitment to each other and has stood the test of time. Indian weddings are known for their elaborate ceremonies and opulent celebrations. Besides, they are held in a very traditional manner, commemorating numerous rituals as per the ancient Vedic era. This has sanctified the institution of marriage, making it one of the most important happenings in one s life. Engagement ceremony is one such ceremony which marks the beginning of the wedding concord. It is also knows as the sagai ceremony or ring ceremony. It is one of the first ceremonies that takes place between the two families and the would-be bride and groom. The engagement ceremony is basically a brief ritual wherein the couple exchanges gold rings. This ensures both the parties that the girl and the boy are now hooked. This is why it is also called the ring ceremony. These ceremonies are performed differently in different parts of the country and are even called by different names, such as aashirwad ceremony, chunni chadana, sagan ceremony, magni etc
Engagement Ring
