2. WHAT IS A RI TUAL?
Ritual is a sequence of activities involving
gestures, words and objects, performed in an
appropriate place, and designed to influence
extraordinary beings or forces on behalf of
the person’s goals and interest.

3. CHARACTERIST ICS OF RI TUALS
The rites of past and present societies have typically
involved special gestures and words, recitation of fixed
texts, performance of special music, songs, or dances,
processions, manipulation of certain objects, use of
special dresses, consumption of special food, drink or
drugs and more.

4. SOME TYPES OF RI TUALS
 The Seven Sacraments (Baptism,Reconciliation,Holy
Communion, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage and
Ordination)
 Worship (such as Mass)
 Handshake (Muslims)
 Coronations
 Funerals
 Oaths of allegiance

5. CONVENT IONAL CHRI S T IAN
WEDDINGS
Seating of the family on Opposite sides of the church
Groom entering first
Bridesmaid and groomsmen
Matron of honour and bestman
Flower girl and ring bearer
Father escorting and giving away the bride

6. White wedding dress
Bridal veil
Joining of right hands
Exchanging of the rings
Pronouncement of husband and wife

7. HINDU WEDDINGS ( VIVAAH ANSKAR)
The ceremony is conducted mainly in Sanskrit. The main
rituals are:
 Kanyadaan- the giving away of the daughter by the father
 Panigrahana- a ritual in the presence of fire, where the
groom takes the bride’s hand as a sign of their union.

8.  Saptapadi- is the most important ritual. It is called the seven site ritual,
where each step corresponds to a vow groom makes to bride. He
vows are done in Sanskrit where bride and groom says 7 oaths to
each other. Agnipradakshinam- they walk around the fire, with part of
each other's clothing tied to each other. The fire is a form of yajna - a
vedic ritual where fire is the divine witness (to the marriage). After
Saptapadi, the couple are considered husband and wife.

10. MASS (CATHOLIC)
 Introductory rites
 Liturgy of the word
 Liturgy of the Eucharist
 Communion rite
 Concluding rite