Review of Hindu Wedding Rituals

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Claudia Angelucci
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Review of Hindu Wedding Rituals

Post by Claudia Angelucci »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Hindu Wedding Rituals" by Dr. A.V. Srinivasan.]
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4 out of 5 stars
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Beautifully unfolding in rich, ancient traditions, vibrant rituals, and symbolic gestures, Dr. A.V. Srinivasan's 'Hindu Wedding Rituals' encapsulates the beauty of a Hindu wedding. The book serves as a valuable guide, providing a clear explanation of the fundamental procedures of the Vedic Wedding Ceremony while highlighting their cultural and philosophical significance. Renowned for his vast expertise in Vedic and interfaith weddings, the author notes that Hindu weddings in India typically skip rehearsals, in contrast to the organized approach favored by North American couples.

The ceremony commences with sacred mantras, extending heartfelt greetings to the groom's family and friends. Rooted in Hindu traditions emphasizing dharma (right conduct), artha (financial aspects), kama (aesthetic aspects), and moksha (liberation), it concludes with blessings from the officiator, families, and the assembled audience. Noteworthy rituals, such as Kanyadanam, symbolize the union as the bride's mother consecrates it by pouring water over a coconut, marking the transition to a new family. The profound significance of the mangalsutra (golden necklace) is underscored as it becomes the principal bond between the bride and groom in this meaningful ceremony.

The book's charming photos capture colorful attire and the solemn, joyful atmosphere, enhancing visual appeal. The inclusion of Sanskrit mantras and blessings, presented in transliteration and translation, makes it a practical guide for those with basic Sanskrit understanding. I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone preparing for a Hindu wedding—it is essential for couples embracing cross-cultural unions.

Immersing myself in this book was a joy as it unveiled the intricacies of this lively ceremony. Understanding the depth behind the chants and blessings added a profound dimension to my appreciation. The author's descriptions skillfully portrayed the celebrations, capturing the overall sensory experience—a genuine celebration of emotions and senses. Dr. A.V. Srinivasan's clear and accessible explanations elevate the overall lucidity of the content. Worth highlighting is his authorship of 'Hinduism for Dummies,' showcasing a consistent commitment to making this subject accessible to all.

While reading the book, I noticed minor punctuation issues and a few errors. Although these don't significantly affect the overall clarity, I would deduct a star from my rating. I rate 'Hindu Wedding Rituals' 4 out of 5 stars. The writing is clear, but refining sentence structures through editing could enhance the flow and elevate this book to a well-deserved 5-star status.

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Hindu Wedding Rituals
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Gerry Steen
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Post by Gerry Steen »

Hi, Claudia, you did a well-written and concise review of this book. The Hindu wedding rituals are beautiful. I know because my daughter married a Hindu gentleman. I wish I had read this book before the wedding so that I would have had a complete understanding of the events as they unfolded. Have a great day. :techie-studyinggray:
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Claudia Angelucci
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Post by Claudia Angelucci »

Gerry Steen wrote: 27 Dec 2023, 11:22 Hi, Claudia, you did a well-written and concise review of this book. The Hindu wedding rituals are beautiful. I know because my daughter married a Hindu gentleman. I wish I had read this book before the wedding so that I would have had a complete understanding of the events as they unfolded. Have a great day. :techie-studyinggray:
Thank you very much, Gerry. I've never been to a Hindu wedding; I hope I'll get invited to one eventually! 😂 I'll be prepared. I've seen pictures and videos and always thought they were absolutely beautiful ceremonies – from the dresses to the flowers and dancing. Not to mention the food! It's a fantastic culture. Best wishes to your daughter. The book is very interesting; if you get the chance, read it. It was a shame the writing wasn't polished. I mean, there were minor errors, but there were too many of them, more than 10.
Thank you again, and you too, have a lovely day.
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Gerry Steen
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Post by Gerry Steen »

Claudia Angelucci wrote: 27 Dec 2023, 12:25
Gerry Steen wrote: 27 Dec 2023, 11:22 Hi, Claudia, you did a well-written and concise review of this book. The Hindu wedding rituals are beautiful. I know because my daughter married a Hindu gentleman. I wish I had read this book before the wedding so that I would have had a complete understanding of the events as they unfolded. Have a great day. :techie-studyinggray:
Thank you very much, Gerry. I've never been to a Hindu wedding; I hope I'll get invited to one eventually! 😂 I'll be prepared. I've seen pictures and videos and always thought they were absolutely beautiful ceremonies – from the dresses to the flowers and dancing. Not to mention the food! It's a fantastic culture. Best wishes to your daughter. The book is very interesting; if you get the chance, read it. It was a shame the writing wasn't polished. I mean, there were minor errors, but there were too many of them, more than 10.
Thank you again, and you too, have a lovely day.
You are welcome, Claudia. I am going to add this book to my bookshelves. Ciao for now. :techie-studyinggray:
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Post by Xatal »

It would be helpful to make this available on additional publishing platforms , since I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It provides the chance to publish in different Indian local languages and reach a wide range of people. Given its extensive reach and capacity to present material in several languages, it could aid in increasing readership and growing the book's audience.
Last edited by Xatal on 28 Dec 2023, 04:33, edited 1 time in total.
Aleena Augustine
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Post by Aleena Augustine »

Claudia, your review of "Hindu Wedding Rituals" paints a vivid picture of the book's cultural richness and practical value. The detailed explanations and inclusion of Sanskrit make it sound like an engaging and informative guide. Great job on the review!
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Claudia Angelucci
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Post by Claudia Angelucci »

Aleena Augustine wrote: 29 Dec 2023, 09:42 Claudia, your review of "Hindu Wedding Rituals" paints a vivid picture of the book's cultural richness and practical value. The detailed explanations and inclusion of Sanskrit make it sound like an engaging and informative guide. Great job on the review!
Thank you very much, Aleena! It is a lovely, curious, little book indeed, especially for people who are preparing for a Hindu wedding—a simple and straightforward guide. Such a shame it wasn't edited properly.
Thank you again! All the best!😊
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Post by Francis Kapola »

It's fantastic to hear that the book provided you with a joyous exploration of Hindu wedding traditions and their deep cultural and philosophical roots.
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Post by Cara Wilding »

Claudia Angelucci wrote: 26 Dec 2023, 09:53 [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Hindu Wedding Rituals" by Dr. A.V. Srinivasan.]

Beautifully unfolding in rich, ancient traditions, vibrant rituals, and symbolic gestures, Dr. A.V. Srinivasan's 'Hindu Wedding Rituals' encapsulates the beauty of a Hindu wedding. The book serves as a valuable guide, providing a clear explanation of the fundamental procedures of the Vedic Wedding Ceremony while highlighting their cultural and philosophical significance. Renowned for his vast expertise in Vedic and interfaith weddings, the author notes that Hindu weddings in India typically skip rehearsals, in contrast to the organized approach favored by North American couples.

The book's charming photos capture colorful attire and the solemn, joyful atmosphere, enhancing visual appeal. The inclusion of Sanskrit mantras and blessings, presented in transliteration and translation, makes it a practical guide for those with basic Sanskrit understanding. I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone preparing for a Hindu wedding—it is essential for couples embracing cross-cultural unions.
Claudia, this looks like an interesting book. It made me think of a trip to Iceland, where the native people were becoming very concerned about losing their culture and language over time with immigration. Did the author share what made him write this book? I was surprised to see that there are no rehearsals; that seems stressful. One chance to get it right! What made you pick up this selection?! I enjoyed reading your review; thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this one with us! Until next time...
:tiphat:
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Claudia Angelucci
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Post by Claudia Angelucci »

Cara Wilding wrote: 30 Dec 2023, 08:08
Claudia Angelucci wrote: 26 Dec 2023, 09:53 [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Hindu Wedding Rituals" by Dr. A.V. Srinivasan.]

Beautifully unfolding in rich, ancient traditions, vibrant rituals, and symbolic gestures, Dr. A.V. Srinivasan's 'Hindu Wedding Rituals' encapsulates the beauty of a Hindu wedding. The book serves as a valuable guide, providing a clear explanation of the fundamental procedures of the Vedic Wedding Ceremony while highlighting their cultural and philosophical significance. Renowned for his vast expertise in Vedic and interfaith weddings, the author notes that Hindu weddings in India typically skip rehearsals, in contrast to the organized approach favored by North American couples.

The book's charming photos capture colorful attire and the solemn, joyful atmosphere, enhancing visual appeal. The inclusion of Sanskrit mantras and blessings, presented in transliteration and translation, makes it a practical guide for those with basic Sanskrit understanding. I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone preparing for a Hindu wedding—it is essential for couples embracing cross-cultural unions.
Claudia, this looks like an interesting book. It made me think of a trip to Iceland, where the native people were becoming very concerned about losing their culture and language over time with immigration. Did the author share what made him write this book? I was surprised to see that there are no rehearsals; that seems stressful. One chance to get it right! What made you pick up this selection?! I enjoyed reading your review; thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this one with us! Until next time...
:tiphat:
Thank you very much, Cara! The author directs the Vedic Institute of Connecticut. He hosts workshops on Vedic weddings, Sanskrit chants, and Hindu rituals. He is well-known for his nationwide Hindu and interfaith weddings. So, he is on a mission to keep this rich cultural heritage alive! He pointed out that Indian people in the West are a bit surprised when attending Indian weddings in India because they find them a bit chaotic, given their improvisational nature. Personally, I like improvisation!😊
He wrote this book to help people get prepared so the ceremony runs smoothly without interruptions. The book is short but very detailed; there is even a list of the wedding materials for the ceremony. It comes with a CD with all the wedding chants too. (We reviewers don't get the CD, though!😅) As you said, it is part of keeping the culture and these very old rituals alive. I'm a non-fiction lover and enjoy reading about different cultures. I have always found Hinduism very fascinating. Those ancient chants are very special and are full of old wisdom!
All the best!😊
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