Kanyadana (Sanskrit:कन्यादान,romanized: Kanyādāna) is aHindu weddingritual.[1] Inscriptional evidence of this tradition can be found on 15th century stones found in theVijayanagara Empire in South India.[2] There are different interpretations regarding kanyadana acrossSouth Asia.
The kanyadanaritual occurs before thesindoor ritual (sinduradana).
Kanyadana is made of theSanskrit wordskanyā (maiden) anddāna (giving away), referring to the tradition of a father giving his daughter in marriage to a groom, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility and care from one family to another.[3]
The wedding ritual may be accompanied by a variety of kanyadana songs. These songs may include the parents lamenting the loss of their daughter. Other songs focus on the groom, sometimes comparing him toRama, portrayed in theRamayana as the "ideal groom".[4]
