Traditional Indian weddings are a grand affair and involves lavish preparations. The number of people attending a wedding could be anywhere between 500 - 1000. Here, the sanctitude of the ceremony is preserved through numerous traditional rituals and is accompanied by lots of entertainment, fun, colorful dresses, jewelry, lip-smacking foods, music and dance. One can see lots of variations in the Indian wedding traditions according to the cultural community, religion and region.

The main ceremony begins with the arrival of the 'Baraat' which is a formal procession that includes friends, family members and relatives of the groom . The members who join the Baraat are called the 'Baraatis'. There is a lot of music, dance and enjoyment in this gathering. 

'Hiding the Shoes' is the most popular among them. It is a kind of prank played by the bride's sisters on the groom. Before the start of marriage rituals, as soon as the groom removes his shoes, his sisters-in-law hide them somewhere. Later, they demand money from the groom in exchange for his shoes. Lots of negotiations and bargaining take place between the two parties until they finally reach an agreement

Religious Business Ceremonies in India

By Ranjini Manian from Doing Business in India For Dummies

Religion is a way of life in India, and religious business ceremonies are common occurrences. Everything a Hindu does is an act offered up to God, and emphasis is placed on the acts themselves, not rewards for the acts. So each new beginning is dedicated to the Gods to seek their blessings, and new beginnings associated with business in India are no exception.

Office prayer ceremonies:

Another common religious business ceremony is an office puja, or prayer ceremony. At a puja, stand with your palms folded in front of your chest. If lighted camphor is brought to you, hold your hands palms down over the flame for an instant and then gesture as if you're touching your closed eyes. Watch how others do the action before you, or ask for help if you're unsure. Indians take your interest as a compliment.

The spectacular eleven day Ganesh Chaturthi festival honors the birth of the beloved Hindu elephant-headed god, Lord Ganesha. The start of the festival sees huge, elaborately crafted statutes of Ganesha installed in homes and podiums, which have been especially constructed and beautifully decorated. At the end of the festival, the statutes are paraded through the streets, accompanied by much singing and dancing, and then submerged in the ocean.

Business

In India, titles are very important so it is best to address people using their professional title or by Mr., Mrs., or Miss, followed by their last name. Business cards are very often handed out, usually after the initial handshake or meeting. Be sure to always give and receive business cards with your right hand. Indian’s are not always punctual and seem to have a more laidback view of time than westerners. However, you should still arrive to meetings on time. Relationships within business are very important in India, as Indians prefer to do business with people they know. Therefore, most business meetings begin with small talk and business is discussed much later. Decision making is made by the person with the most authority, and it is often a very slow process.

In India itself, there are many contrasting norms about what is acceptable and what is not. There are several different rules in each community and region to deal with norms of marriage, education, business dealings and so on. What one community considers a sign of strength and health, another may view as a mark of weakness and indulgence.

However, there are a few basic norms that most modern societies would agree to. For instance, all cultures agree that screaming at little children is not a good practice; in fact, it is a character flaw. It may not be against the law, but it is, nevertheless, a sign of weakness and lack of control. Similarly, not treating your parents with respect is not considered a virtue in any culture.

Also, there are some traits that would be respected as a sign of strong character across the world, irrespective of difference in norms. Standing up for the truth, for example. Fighting oppression or corruption, dealing with crises through compassion and patience, showing courage at all times, helping those who need help – these are all marks of good character.

Greetings

The hierarchical structure of society greatly influences greetings. Religion, education and social class all play a major role in greeting someone in India. Saying namaste while the palms are held together at the chest level is the most popular form of greeting, particularly among elders. It is also used to say goodbye. As in many cultures, the eldest person should be greeted first. Men may greet men with handshakes, and women may greet women with handshakes but, it is still rare for men and women to shake hands because of religious beliefs.