kanyadan

Kanyadan is a significant ritual in Hindu weddings. The term literally translates to "giving away the daughter." It is a ceremony where the bride's father, or another elder male relative, gives his daughter's hand in marriage to the groom. This act symbolizes the transfer of responsibility and guardianship of the bride from her paternal family to her husband's family.

The ritual typically takes place during the main wedding ceremony, often after other rites like the exchange of garlands (Varmala) and the circumambulation of the sacred fire (Saptapadi). In Kanyadan, the bride's father places her hand into the groom's hand. This is often accompanied by prayers and blessings, with the belief that this gesture ensures the well-being and prosperity of the couple.

The father of the bride may also perform a symbolic offering, such as pouring holy water or milk over their joined hands, signifying the purity of the act and his blessings. Kanyadan is considered one of the most important "danzas" or charitable gifts in Hinduism, highlighting the father's selfless act of giving his most precious possession – his daughter – to a new family. It is a moment filled with emotion, marking the end of the bride's maiden life and her new beginning as a wife.