This ritual traditionally took place once the marriage was fixed. Sakhar Puda which literally translates as a packet of sugar, was exchanged between the two families. But as time passed the engagement ceremony came to be known as Sakhar Puda in most cases this happens a day or two before the marriage ceremony

As the Mahurat approaches, the bride's mama comes to take her to the mandap. Their approach to the mandap is rather elaborate, as they are not allowed to take a peek at each other. This is managed by raising an Antarpaat, a partition of cloth between the bride and bridegroom. Only after chanting the relevant shlokas can this Antarpaat be removed. At the time of removing the Antarpaat the people present shower the couple with Akshata(unbroken rice). It is essential that the grains be whole as they are symbolic of the blessing from those present. The couple garlands each other. Like most Hindu marriages seven rounds around the havan are called Saptapadi.

One of the most important events after the marriage is Laxmi Narayan Puja. The bride and the bridegroom are considered to be Goddess Laxmi and Lord Narayan respectively and worshipped. After this ceremony the bride is formally handed over by her parents to the bridegroom.

The following article describes in a simple and clear manner the requirements and method of the Islamic marriage ceremony.

Marriage (Nikah/Shaadi) is a solemn and sacred social contract between bride and groom. This contract is a strong covenant as expressed in Quran.

Both parties mutually agree and enter into this contract. Both bride and groom have the liberty to define various terms and conditions of their liking and make them a part of this contract.

The marriage-gift (Mahr) is a divine injunction. The giving of mahr to the bride by the groom is an essential part of the contract.

'And give the women (on marriage) their mahr as a (nikah) free gift"

Mahr is a token commitment of the husband's responsibility and may be paid in cash, property or movable objects to the bride herself. The amount of mahr is not legally specified, however, moderation according to the existing social norm is recommended. The mahr may be paid immediately to the bride at the time of marriage, or deferred to a later date, or a combination of both. The deferred mahr however, falls due in case of death or divorce.

One matrimonial party expresses 'ijab" willing consent to enter into marriage and the other party expresses 'qubul" acceptance of the responsibility in the assembly of marriage ceremony. The contract is written and signed by the bride and the groom and their two respective witnesses. This written marriage contract ("Aqd-Nikah) is then announced publicly.

The assembly of nikah/shaadi is addressed with a marriage sermon (khutba-tun-nikah) by the Muslim officiating the marriage. In marriage societies, customarily, a state appointed Muslim judge (Qadi) officiates the nikah ceremony and keeps the record of the marriage contract. The documents of marriage contract/certificate are filed with the mosque (masjid) and local government for record.

Prophet Muhammad (S) made it his tradition (sunnah) to have marriage sermon delivered in the assembly to solemnize the marriage. The sermon invites the bride and the groom, as well as the participating guests in the assembly to a life of piety, mutual love, kindness, and social responsibility.

The Khutbah-tun-Nikah begins with the praise of Allah. His help and guidance is sought. The Muslim confession of faith that 'There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His servant and messenger" is declared.

The Muslim officiating the marriage ceremony concludes the ceremony with prayer (Dua) for bride, groom, their respective families, the local Muslim community, and the Muslim community at large (Ummah)

Marriage (nikah) is considered as an act of worship (ibadah). It is virtuous to conduct it in a Mosque keeping the ceremony simple. The marriage ceremony is a social as well as a religious activity. Islam advocates simplicity in ceremonies and celebrations.

Prophet Muhammad (S) considered simple weddings the best weddings:

'The best wedding is that upon which the least trouble and expense is bestowed". (Mishkat)

1. Mutual agreement (Ijab-O-Qubul) by the bride and the groom
2. Two adult and sane witnesses
3. Mahr (marriage-gift) to be paid by the groom to the bride either immediately (muajjal) or deferred (muakhkhar), or a combination of both

1. Legal guardian (wakeel) representing the bride
2. Written marriage contract ("Aqd-Nikah) signed by the bride and the groom and witnesses by two adult and sane witnesses
3. Qadi (State appointed Muslim judge) or Ma'zoon (a responsible person officiating the marriage ceremony)
4. Khutba-tun-Nikah to solemnize the marriage

After the consummation of the marriage, the groom holds a banquet called a walima. The relatives, neighbors, and friends are invited in order to make them aware of the marriage. Both rich and poor of the family and community are invited to the marriage feasts.

Gaiety and merrymaking mark the ceremonies of Christian weddings, and Goa is no exception. Although a Goan Christian wedding may vary in some details to a western church wedding, it basically follows the diktat of a catholic wedding.

The proposal for a traditional Goan wedding comes from the girl's family. Relatives from the girl's family go to the prospective groom's home with a marriage proposal. If everything is found satisfactory on both sides, then the girl and her parents meet the prospective groom. They meet in the presence of the proposer at a relatives home. This relative may be from either the grooms or the bride's side. The boy and the girl meet for the first time in the presence of elders. If they give their consent to the marriage then, the wedding is finalized and the discussions and planning begin. However, if undecided, they are given more time to discuss everything and make up their minds. Once engaged, the couple are at liberty to meet without restrictions.

The church, the hall for the reception, the wedding car, the caterers and other arrangements are decided upon mutually by the bride's and the groom's parents, and the expenses of these are shared equally by both the families. All the brides wedding finery however - her wedding gown, veil, handkerchief, shoes, purse i.e., everything worn by her on her wedding day is provided by the groom's family. The groom's family also has to provide all the wedding attire for the bridesmaids, the flower girls and the pageboys. The wedding rings for both the bride and the groom are also made by the bridegroom.

Traditionally, the boy's parents ask for a certain amount of money, which has to be sent the night prior to the wedding along with the bride's belongings and trousseau. The groom's mother may also ask for a certain amount of gold, articles etc to be given by the girl's parents. However modern generations have largely eliminated this tradition.

The grooms mother orders sweets for the entire village, which have to be distributed by the bride along with young spinsters around the husband's village. If however the wedding takes place outside Goa, then the couple perform this custom on their first visit there after their wedding.

or notices are read at each others church after the church service for three consecutive Sundays, calling for any objections to the union from any of the parishioners. This is done to safe guard the interests of both the parties, and avoids the possibility of any deception. The people are asked to report any such matter to the parish priest at the earliest and the engagement is broken.

A week after the last bann is read, the priest from the girl's church sends a no objection certificate, along with the birth certificate, marriage certificate and the bann read, to the boy's parish priest. Then all the wedding preparations begin.

According to Goan traditions, the bride and groom are required to bathe in coconut water on the night prior to the wedding. Relatives and friends join in to pour coconut water over the bride and groom, as per their custom. Afterwards, dinner is served to all. The outfits worn during the coconut water bath have to be given away and not kept in the house. After this bath, the bride and groom are not supposed to leave the house till they leave for the church.

On the morning of the wedding, the hairdresser and beautician come from the groom's side to dress the bride. The bride wears a flowing white wedding gown, and covers her face with a veil of white lace.

The wedding car first drops the groom to the church, then goes to pick up the bride and bring her to the church. The best man, someone the bridegroom is close to, greets the bride with a wedding bouquet. She proceeds to the altar on her father's arm, with a bridesmaid carrying her trail behind her. Preceding her are the pageboys, flower maids, and the bridesmaid.

At the altar the priest talks about the couple that are to be joined in marriage, the choir sings hymns, and there are readings from the Bible, specially chosen for the occasion. The couple takes the vow that they will support each other in times of sickness, poverty and health.

In the presence of two witnesses from either side, the groom and the bride declare their intention to take each other as man and wife. The groom declares his wedding vows. The priest blesses the rings and the couple then put them on each other's left ring fingers. The couple exchange rings to signify that they are now bound to each other in a life long commitment. The Catholic Church does not allow for divorce, hence the ring plays a very symbolic role in ones married life. It symbolizes the eternal bond between them, "until death do us apart"…

The priest then pronounces them man and wife, and they seals their vows with a kiss. Once the nuptials are through, the mass continues with prayers and blessings for the couple. A communion service and the signing of the register follow this. The couple then walks down the aisle, arms in arm, to the strains of "The Wedding March". After that, everyone proceeds to the venue for the reception. Here, the wedding cake is cut, and a toast raised to a long and happy married life of the newly weds.

Now the merrymaking and the dancing begin and drinks and food are served. The band plays till midnight and everyone joins in the dancing. As a grand finale, the bride and the groom are lifted up on chairs by friends, and are supposed to kiss each other. They are playfully separated time and again for some time, till they finally kiss at the end.

Outside the reception hall, the bride's family assemble at one end and the groom and his family at the other end. Wine is spilt in the centre to make a partition. Then the father of the bride hands the bride over to the groom and the couple depart in the wedding car. Friend and relatives shower confetti on the couple as they leave, thus concluding the festivities and celebration of the wedding.