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Indian Wedding Terms

What Is Kanyadaan? Meaning & Significance in a Hindu Wedding

Kanyadaan is a Hindu wedding ritual in which the bride's father, or another family member, places the bride's hand in the groom's hand as part of the marriage ceremony.

Significance of Kanyadaan

Traditionally, kanyadaan is understood as an act of entrusting the bride to the marriage, accompanied by prayers and blessings. Modern couples and families may interpret the ritual differently, particularly around ideas of parental responsibility, consent, and the bride's agency.

History and Origins

Kanyadaan has longstanding roots in Hindu marriage traditions and is described in traditional Hindu ritual literature. Its meaning and performance have evolved across communities, and contemporary families may interpret or adapt the ritual differently.

How Used In Wedding

In contemporary weddings, some couples and families reinterpret or adapt the ritual to reflect their own beliefs and relationships, including who performs it and how it's introduced.

Related Glossary Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

Who performs kanyadaan?
Traditionally the bride's father, though another close family member may take on the role.
Is kanyadaan required in every Hindu wedding?
No, some couples and families choose to adapt, reinterpret, or skip it based on their own beliefs.

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