Stealing the groom's shoes at a wedding – just for fun, or is there more to it.
News Topical, Digital Desk : Stealing the groom's shoes at a wedding – just for fun, or is there more to it? Find out the true meaning behind this humorous custom. When marriage, considered one of the sacred sixteen sacraments of Hinduism, brings two souls together, numerous customs and traditions follow, and each step of these rituals holds great importance. One of the most amusing practices that bring joy and laughter to a wedding ceremony takes place when the groom's shoes go missing during the wedding rituals.
As the groom removes his shoes before ascending to the wedding stage, his sisters-in-law discreetly steal and hide them, claiming their rightful due in the form of shagun (gift) from the groom in exchange for his footwear. This adds a lighthearted element to the wedding festivities, but do you know why the shoe-stealing tradition is conducted? If not, allow us to elaborate the deeper meaning behind this custom, as explained by Astrology expert Chandresh Sharma from Astropatri.
Why is the shoe-stealing ritual performed at weddings
Astrology expert Chandresh Sharma says, "Marriage is an alliance between two families, and theshoe-stealing ritualhas been prevalent since antiquity to ensure stronger bonds between them. When the groom settles down at the mandap, the bride’s sisters snatch his shoes and hide them, intending to tease him." "This custom’s main intent is to infuse humour, thrill and the desired elements of joy into the rather sacred ambience of theweddingand mark the beginning of the jovial andfriendly relationship betweenthe brother-in-law and his sister-in-law. The mutualexchang ofgifts(neg) creates stronger relation between two families and the moment ofweddingturn out to beunforgettable.
Thisritualis not simply a ritual, but an apt instrument to build lastingrelationshipsand to let the groom understand the bond that will shape his coming life."
Sweetness in the relationship between brother-in-law and sister-in-law When the shoes are stolen by the bride’s sisters-in-law during a wedding, there’s plenty of laughter, fun and, banterbetween brother and sister-in-law. During the process, both sides demand the amount of shagun desired as their price for the lost shoes; usually the groom's side complies with the terms offered but there's a round of playful haggling between both sides which continues till the compromise is made. This shoe stealing custom is seen as the key to building relationships as the bond between the sister-in-law and brother-in-law becomes ever so evident during these festivities.
