Please help me find out more!

[liz_1985uk]

Hello everyone,Im 18 & a catholic who is studying world religions. I know a bit about Hinduism however,I came here hoping that someone will b able 2 educate me further.I am particularly interested in learning more about Hindu death and marriage customs.

My best friend is Hindu but i would also like other people's viewpoints & opinions.

Thank u in advance

Liz

[maadhav]

death: body dies, not the soul (jiva within).

therefore there is no need to save the body. so hindus cremate it. the dead body is to be removed from the house and burnted without any delay. bodies of some gurus/swamis however are buried and a memorial/temple is made there.

traditionally one removes all hair from head and face if an elder in the family dies. due to sorrow, the family would not particilate in any functions of fun and joy for some time, at least 13 days if not more. men take shower after coming from cremation.

 

marriage: it is one time in life, ideally. engagement preceeds marriage. marriage ceremony is a few days long.

the priest must be a married man. marriage rite is done in teh witness of fire god. groom sits there with the priest. and relaties of both sides sit surrounded. then the priest requests, "present/bring the bride, attention." thus he warns the groom and all that there is still time if any one on the groom side does not want this marriage to happen. then the ritual contines and brid and groom circambulates the fire seven times one by one whole the priest sings vedic hymns for marriage. marriage is fian when seven rounds complete. till then any party has chance to stop from marrying. bride and groom are under teh direction of the priest. they need to fast a day prior to marriage. a sword is kept with the groom. this is a symbolic way of saying that teh groom and the party is willing to fight robbers or any one who atttacks or casues disturbance to the town or village or the function.

 

there is more info than than this.