5 Facts You didn’t know about Kanyadaan

Indian wedding is filled with a lot of fun-filled and emotional rituals one of which is Kanyadaan. As the name suggests, the meaning of this ritual is a donation of the daughter. This is a ceremony in which the bride’s father gives his beloved daughter to the groom. This is a ritual which is followed in every Hindu wedding and has a lot of significance. This ceremony has, however, a huge significance and some facts which are not known to everyone!.Here are facts about kanyadaan which you didn’t know:

1.Kanyadaan helps the bride’s parents attain Moksha:
It is believed that the donation of the bride who is considered as the form of Goddess Lakshmi to the groom who is considered as Lord Shiva will help the parents in attaining Moksha. All the sins which were performed by the bride’s parents can be washed away if they perform the ritual of Kanyadaan during the wedding. This is the reason why it is considered as a holy ritual which will help the parents attain ‘swarg’ after death!

2.Kanyadaan traditionally means donation of only single daughters:
Kanyadaan means a donation of a maiden which clearly means unmarried, single or virgin daughter. The Indian tradition states that only virginity is a symbol of sacredness and thus a virgin girl must be donated during kanyadaan.
This is the reason in many states and areas kanyadaan is not performed for a divorced daughter or widow. If 2nd marriage is to happen, it will be conducted in a court and the rituals like pheras and kanyadaan would not be performed.

3.Kanyadaan can be performed by any couple if parents not present:
If the father or parents of the bride are not present during the event, the elder brother and his wife perform the kanyadaan. It is believed that only a couple can perform the ritual of kanyadaan and if the parents are not present, the elder brother along with his wife can perform the ritual. Also, the elder cousins can perform this ritual. It is considered as a holy ritual which will wash the sins of anyone who performs it!

4.Widowed mother cannot perform kanyadaan:
Consider it as a superstitious belief or tradition but windows cannot perform the ritual of kanyadaan. A married woman or ‘saubhagyavati’ is considered very holy while a widow is not considered holy to perform such auspicious rituals and can have a bad impact on the wedding rituals. It is believed that if widows perform the ritual, it can have a negative impact on the couple’s life!

5.Kanyadaan is the official approval of the father giving her daughter and the groom accepting her legally:
This is the ceremony in which, the father gives his daughter’s hand in the groom’s hand which is tied by a holy thread, betel leaves, and money. The hands are washed with holy water and milk in front of the holy fire. This is the law as well official approval of the father giving his daughter in front of the society in a traditional and cultural way!

These are the facts which are associated with the kanyadaan ritual and are followed in different regions of India!