ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ

“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”

Shagun is a word derived from Sanskrit, which means auspicious, good omen, or blessing.

Hinduism is a religious belief that originated centuries ago.

Hinduism bases itself on the Vedic scriptures, the Upanishads, and other textbooks.

The saints and rishis penned down these works several hundred years ago.

Hinduism has many rituals and beliefs associated with it.

It also highlights the importance of conducting extensive rituals for invoking the blessings of the divine entities.

Marriages play a crucial role in Hinduism.

It is a significant culture that emphasizes the union of two families and two people.

Hindu marriage rituals are elaborate ceremonies that would last for more than three days.

There are several pre-marriage rituals, post-marriage rituals, and rituals during the marriage ceremony.

Shagun is one such ceremony conducted as part of Hindu marriages.

In the ancient days, the bride’s family provided Shagun to the groom and his family during an unplanned ceremony called Roka.

During Roka, the groom’s family gives the bride a nose ring or any other heirloom in the family.

It is a way of announcing the marriage ceremony in an unofficial manner.

After the groom’s family gifts a piece of jewelry to the bride, the bride’s family applies

Tilak or Vermilion on the groom’s forehead.

It is after the application of Tilak the bride’s family offers Shagun.

It would include mostly expensive gifts like jewelry, clothes, and other items like dry fruits, sweets, etc.

It is a way to confirm the marriage ceremony.

These events happen two to three weeks before the marriage. Though in the ancient days, it was a short and unplanned event.

Nowadays, many families organize Roka and Shagun as elaborate functions.

The main reason for offering gifts or Shagun to the groom’s family is to announce their willingness to conduct the marriage ceremony.

It is a pre-marriage ritual organized before the engagement programs.

Hindus often offer Shagun as a part of other rituals, ceremonies, and festivals apart from that of marriages.

Guests and people invited for ceremonies as well as marriages also offer Shagun.

 It is a sign of sharing their happiness and providing blessings to the people hosting the ceremony.

It is also a way of attaining blessings from divine entities.

Why do we provide one rupee coin along with the Shagun?:

You might have noticed that Indians, mostly Hindus, add a one rupee coin along with notes of other denominations like 50, 100, 200, 500, 2000 when they are offering gifts.

We provide it as 51, 101, 201, 501, or 2001. We will give an additional one rupee along with the Shagun.

There are several reasons for offering one rupee coin along with the Shagun. They include:

1. One is a number that is indivisible or cannot be divided by any other number.

When we add one rupee along with our Shagun, it is a way of representing permanence.

The relationship between the giver and the receiver would last long based on belief.

2. The additional one rupee is a way of offering hope to the receiver.

It shows that the blessings would continue to shower in their lives.

3. Many consider Zero an inauspicious number.

It is another reason why people add one rupee along with other denominations that end with zero.

4. In the ancient days, people provided silver, gold, or other metal coins as Shagun.

However, in the present era, everyone can’t offer coins made from these metals.

So, people provide one rupee coin, made from metal, as the Shagun.

 As metals come from the Earth, it is a sign of offering our respect to Goddess Lakshmi.

These are some of the reasons why people add one rupee coin along with the notes as Shagun. Apart from money, you can offer other different things as part of Shagun. They can be clothes, pieces of gold or silver jewelry, etc.

Significance of offering Shagun: There are a plethora of significances associated with offering Shagun in Hinduism.

There aren’t any religious texts that illustrate the concept of Shagun.

However, it has been a part of Hindu rituals and practices for centuries.

It plays a pivotal role in marriage ceremonies, festivals, housewarming programs, etc.

Let us have a look at some of the significances of offering Shagun in Hinduism.

1. It is a way of bringing blessings and harmony to the lives of the people.

When you offer Shagun to a newly married couple, you are providing your prayers for them as they are entering into a new life.

2. As part of the belief system, some people believe that it is a debt meant to be paid back.

It aids in the creation of a stronger bond between the giver and the receiver.

Shagun is also an assurance of the giver and the receiver meeting again.

3. The offering of Shagun as part of the marriage ceremony is a way of announcing the marriage in an unofficial manner.

4. The items provided as part of the Shagun, especially coins, can invite the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.

It is a way of embracing prosperity, wisdom, and happiness.

These are some of the most relevant significances associated with the provision of Shagun.

It is also beneficial in attaining the blessings of the divine entities.

By offering Shagun, we are inviting good omens, happiness, and auspicious powers into our lives.

It is always better to offer Shagun as a part of religious rituals, ceremonies, and programs.

What is Shagun?

‘Shagun’ is an Indian term that comes from the Sanskrit language. It denotes ‘good omen’, ‘auspicious,’ or ‘blessing’. It is also a ceremony that is performed during Hindu marriages. Such ceremonies or rituals have been mentioned in the ancient scriptures of the Hindus, like the Vedas and Upanishads that were written many centuries ago by renowned sages or Rishis. Whenever a major event occurs in a Hindu household, the family members perform some prescribed rituals to invoke the blessings of the gods.

Marriage is one of the major events in life, and there are many ceremonies that take place during a marriage as it is also a very auspicious event. In many communities, the ceremonies are quite elaborate and may go on for three or four days, too. These rituals can be pre-marriage, post-marriage, and during the marriage itself. Shagun is one such ceremony.

The Shagun Ritual

In the old days, when a marriage took place, the bride’s family offered Shagun to the groom and his family during a ceremony called Roka. The latter was usually an unplanned ceremony. As part of the Roka ceremony, the groom’s family gifts a family heirloom like a nose ring or some other piece of jewelry to the bride. This was essentially an unofficial way of announcing the marriage ceremony.

After the bride receives the gift from her prospective in-laws, her family applies a tilak of sindoor on the bridegroom’s forehead. After applying the tilak, the Shagun ceremony takes place. Here, the bride’s family offers expensive gifts like jewelry, fine clothes, sweets, dry fruits, etc. In this manner, they confirm the marriage ceremony. These rituals usually take place two or three weeks before the marriage.

In earlier times, these rituals were not planned in advance but were impromptu in nature. They were also short in duration. But nowadays, many families tend to organize elaborate Roka and Shagun functions. By offering Shagun to the bridegroom’s family, the bride’s family expresses their willingness to go ahead with the marriage ceremony. This pre-marriage ceremony takes place even before the engagement between the couple.

But the practice of offering Shagun is not limited to marriage alone. Hindus offer Shagun during other ceremonies and festivals, too. Often, the guests who take part in such ceremonies also offer Shagun. They do this to share their happiness and also to provide blessings to the couple, and invoke divine blessings.

Why Do People Offer 1 Rupee Coin with Shagun?

When Indians, especially Hindus, offer gifts of money, they include a one rupee coin along with the amount given as a gift. So, if a person is gifting 500 rupees, the envelope will include a one rupee coin along with the 500 rupees. There are many reasons for this practice. Let us see what they are.

The number 1 is indivisible. Adding a 1 rupee coin along with the Shagun signifies permanence. The belief is that it cements the relationship between the giver and the receiver and makes it last for a long time.

The 1 rupee offers hope to the one who receives the Shagun. It suggests that they will continue to get blessings.

Many think that zero is not an auspicious number. So by adding 1 rupee, the amount becomes not 500 or 1000, but 501 or 1001, etc.

Earlier, people would offer gold or silver coins as Shagun. But as these cost a lot now, people offer a 1 rupee metal coin. Metals are obtained from the earth, so it is also a way to show our respect to Goddess Lakshmi.

Those who can afford to do so can gift gold or silver jewelry or fine clothes as Shagun.

The Significance of Shagun

The practice of offering Shagun has some significance.

It is an unofficial announcement of the marriage.

It is a way to bless the couple who are getting married. It symbolizes your prayers for them as they start a new life.

In some communities, it is a debt that has to be repaid. The family that receives the Shagun makes a note of the gifts received and pays in kind when there is a marriage or any other auspicious event in the family which gave the Shagun. It strengthens the bond between the two families and is an unspoken promise that they will meet again.

The things offered as part of the Shagun attract Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings for happiness and prosperity.

Plan out Your Sagan Ceremony with Ease with These Helpful Tips

The Sagan ceremony marks the beginning of wedding celebrations. An intimate affair, this is perhaps one of the most important pre-wedding functions!

Many people confuse the Shagun or sagan ceremony with the Roka ceremony, but the two are different events. While the Roka is a type of engagement, the Sagan is an event that marks the auspicious beginning of the couples’ lives. Many couples today have their engagement ceremony months before the actual wedding. In some cases, couples enjoy a year of being engaged before officially tying the knot. With this in mind, the Sagan becomes the true beginning of the wedding celebrations.

1. What’s the best venue for a Sagan Ceremony?

Traditionally, this ceremony used to take place at the groom’s home. The bride’s immediate family would visit the groom with tikka and wedding gifts. Today, however, most events leading up to a wedding tend to be celebrated on a much larger scale. As a result, you may find yourself considering banquet halls and other venues to host the ceremony. If you think the choice between the groom’s home and a venue is hard to make, we can help you out with a pro’s and con’s list!

2. Pros of having the ceremony at the groom’s home:

• There’s a higher emotional connect with the venue as this is where the groom grew up
• There’s also a deeper connection for the bride as this is to be her future home
• Having the ceremony at home can create an intimate and personalized ambience

3. Cons of having the ceremony at the groom’s home:

• You may have to limit your guest list quite a bit if you were hoping to call lots of people
•  Adding more tasks to your plate right before the wedding, such as organising the wedding caterers and wedding décor, may just add unnecessary pressure

4. What happens during a Sagan Ceremony?

Irrespective of the pomp and splendour of the venue, the ceremony itself is a simple one. A Pandit performs a Havan to pray for the couple and seek blessings. Brides apply a red tikka onto the groom’s forehead, signalling their acceptance of the marriage. The senior members of the family, such as grandparents and parents exchange gifts and sweets to celebrate. In some cases, the bride and groom may exchange rings.

Many families combine the Chunni Chadana ceremony with the Sagan ceremony these days. This is mainly done for the sake of convenience. During the Chunni Chadana ceremony, the groom’s family gifts either a red chunni or Sari to the bride. When she wears it, the families exchange sweets and gifts to celebrate.

5. How many people to invite for this ceremony?

The ceremony is an intimate one with just the immediate family involved. Do not create a guest list that exceeds 20-30 people, as it’s just not required. Think of this ceremony as one that has prayer as its highlight. Does your extended family need to be there for this? Not really. You can call your close friends, of course. But again, trim the guest list as much as you can.

6. What to wear for a Sagan Ceremony?

The Sagan ceremony is a small event, so you do not have to go over the top with your wardrobe. Of course, this does not mean that you can wear casual attire either. After all, you are the bride and this is your day.

Many brides wear a light Salwar Kameez during this occasion. It allows them to sit comfortably in front of the havan fire with their legs crossed. Grooms generally wear kurta pyjama for the same reason. In fact, this is one of the few wedding-related events when you can get away without having to wear heavy outfits.

If your ceremony will be carried out on a much grander scale, then you’ll have to pick your outfit keeping that in mind. An Anarkali suit offers a great, flattering silhouette while still keeping you comfortable. In fact, even Anarkali’s with heavy embroidery still manages to be quite comfortable. The empire waistlines of the Kurti ensure that this outfit suits all body types. Grooms can wear light sherwanis or Bandh-galas. These outfits are ideal for ceremonies at banquet halls in a hotel, without being too OTT. After all, you probably want to look your best on your wedding day, and not during a relatively smaller function!

If you are gearing up for your Sagan ceremony and wondering what to expect, keep the following things in mind:

• The ceremony itself will not last more 30 minutes. Therefore, if you want to, you can plan a short event at home around brunch time
• This ceremony offers a chance for your close family to meet the groom’s close family. Thus, don’t disregard it, thinking it’s a minor, unimportant one
• Keep the décor light. More often than not, Sagans are day-events. You can go for minimal décor with organza and satin fabrics

What is Shagun?

Learn why we give 1 rupee coin in an envelope during Marriage ceremonies

Shagun is a word that comes from the Sanskrit language. It means “good luck” or “blessing.” Hinduism is a religion that has been around for hundreds of years. The Vedic scriptures, the Upanishads, and other books are the foundation of Hinduism.

Hinduism is made up of a lot of rituals and beliefs. These works were written by saints and rishis a few hundred years ago. It also shows how important it is to do long rituals to get the blessings of the gods.

What is Shagun?

In Hinduism & Indian culture, marriage is very important. It is a big part of their culture to unite two families and two people. Hindu wedding ceremonies are complicated and can last more than three days. Several rituals happen before, after, and during the wedding ceremony. Shagun is one of these ceremonies as part of a Hindu wedding in India.

In the past, during an unplanned ceremony called Roka, the bride’s family gave Shagun to the groom’s family. During Roka, the groom’s family gives the bride a nose ring or a family heirloom. It is an informal way to let people know about the wedding ceremony.

The bride’s family puts Tilak or vermilion on the groom’s forehead after the groom’s family gives the bride a piece of jewellery. After Tilak has been put on, the bride’s family gives Shagun. It would mostly be expensive gifts like jewellery, clothes, dry fruits, sweets, etc. It’s a way to prove that the wedding took place. Two to three weeks before the wedding, these things happen.

Even though it was a short, unplanned event in the past, many families make Roka and Shagun into big events these days. The groom’s family is mainly given gifts or Shagun to show they are willing to hold the wedding ceremony. It’s a ceremony that takes place before the engagement programs.

Hindus often give Shagun as a gift at other rituals, ceremonies, and festivals besides weddings. Shagun is also given by wedding guests and other people invited to a ceremony or wedding. It shows they are happy for the people hosting the ceremony and wish them well. It is also a way to get the blessings of gods and goddesses.

Why do we give out a one-rupee coin with the Shagun?

You may have noticed that when Indians, especially Hindus, give gifts, they include a one rupee coin and other bills like 50, 100, 200, 500, and 2000. We give it the numbers 51, 101, 201, 501, and 2001. Along with the Shagun, we will also give you an extra rupee. There are several reasons for giving a one rupee coin and the Shagun. Among them are:

1. One is a number that can’t be split into smaller parts. Adding one rupee to our Shagun is a way to show that things will always be the same. Based on belief, the relationship between the giver and the receiver would last a long time.
2.  Giving the person an extra rupee is a way of giving them hope. It shows that they would keep getting good things in their lives.
3.  Many people think that Zero is an unlucky number. This is another reason why people add one rupee to bills whose values end in zero.

In the past, people gave coins made of silver, gold, or other metals as Shagun. But in our time, these metals can only be used to make coins for some. So, people give the Shagun a metal coin worth one rupee, as the Shagun. Since metals come from the Earth, it is a way to show Goddess Lakshmi that we respect her.

Some people add a one-rupee coin to the notes as Shagun for these reasons. You can offer other things besides money as part of Shagun. They can be things like clothes or gold or silver jewellery.

Significance of Offering Shagun in Marriage Ceremony

In Hinduism, there are a lot of different meanings for offering Shagun. There are no religious texts that explain what Shagun is. But it has been part of Hindu ceremonies and practices for a long time. It plays a pivotal role in marriage ceremonies, festivals, housewarming programs, etc. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why Hindus offer Shagun.

1. It is a way to bring blessings and peace into people’s lives. When you give Shagun to a newlywed couple, you send them your prayers as they start a new life together.
2.  Some people consider it a debt that needs to be paid back as part of their belief system. It aids in the creation of a stronger bond between the giver and the receiver. Shagun is also a promise that the person who gives it and gets it will meet again.
3.  Giving Shagun as part of the wedding ceremony is an unofficial way to say that the couple is getting married.
4.  The items provided as part of the Shagun, especially coins, can invite the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. It is a way to welcome wealth, knowledge, and happiness.

These are some of the most important things to know about the gift of Shagun. By offering Shagun, we invite good omens, happiness, and auspicious powers into our lives. It also helps you get the blessings of gods and goddesses. Shagun should always be given as part of religious ceremonies, rituals, and programs.

Significance Of One Rupee Shagun

Money is often gifted on weddings and other occasions.

but, we always give a rupee extra, as a form of Shagun.

This act is considered to bring Harmony and blessings in the life of the person, the money is given to.

It also marks the beginning of a New stage in life. since the number one is Indivisible, It is considered to be a Permanent blessing in a person’s life. Also, the amount zero hints towards an end of transaction.

this additional rupee coin indicates continuity and hope for future exchanges. Money is paper but the one rupee coin is metal, which suggests that it has come directly from earth, and is a sign of Lakshmi.

It is also advised to put that rupee into good use, either by donating it to the needy or keeping it in front of lakshmi.

Roka or Tilak or Shagun

Roka is a formal announcement of the fact that the bride and groom have agreed for the wedding and that they do not need to look for another life partner. Back in the days, the ceremony was usually unplanned and once the couple agreed to wed, it saw the groom’s mother who would give a nose ring or heirloom ‘Nath’ to the bride. The bride’s family, on the other hand, would take turns applying ‘Tilak’ or vermillion on the forehead of the groom. Shagun or gifts were exchanged by both families, which would include dry fruits, saris, suits and jewelry. Although no rings would be exchanged during the ceremony, it would be considered as an unofficial announcement of an engagement and subsequent courtship.

Roka, however, is no longer a basic ceremony. Over the years, it has transformed into a lavish, elaborate affair, where both families make declarations to the world!  It is also one of the biggest pre-wedding events for the bride and groom. Therefore, wearing a plain suit or sari won’t suffice on this day. You need a detailed, stunning outfit that can distinguish you from the guests and set you apart in the crowd.

Attires at the Ritual

One does not have to run from pillar to post to find the perfect Roka ensemble. A number of traditional and Indo-Western outfits are available for the event. But it always advised to go for something that isn’t too glitzy or heavy as one would need to move around a lot during the ceremony. These days women choose something comfortable yet stylish for the ceremony.

Anarkali being one of the top favorites is a chic and elegant attire. With a variety of cotton, net, synthetic, rayon and silk anarkali suits available in the market, the bride to be can have anything that suits her body type. If the bride is tall and slender, then having a floor length anarkali with embellished embroidery work is a perfect choice. If on the other hand, one wants something light, then an Anarkali with lace or gota work is apt. Swiveling Anarkali with pleated designs and a belt near the waistline can help divide the body and make it look leaner as well. Vibrant colors like Red, Pink, Mustard, Fuschia are some of the most preferred hues.

Sari, which is another all time favorite is a chic and flirty way of looking glamorous for the Roka event. From zari to brocade, silk, Cotton and Bandhani, saris are in galore and one can choose any that would suit the occasion and the bride’s personality.

Indo-western gowns and lehengas have picked up momentum on a large scale in the last few years and several brides have started going for this option as well. Indian version of gowns can have elaborate detailing and embellishment of sequins on the blouse area. An amalgamation of brocade, lace, pearls, kundan, and zari are extremely popular with this attire and add to the overall charm of the wearer. Colors like blue, pink, yellow, white, golden and black look beautiful with Indo-Western Gowns.

Men usually opt for a comfortable yet stylish kurta pajama which looks classic and traditional. A front open buttoned Sherwani with an embellishment of sequins and detailed embroidery looks wonderful for the Roka and tilak ceremony. Men usually opt for colors such as crème, gold, black, maroon, light yellow and light pink.

The roka ceremony is a wonderful start to a family bond besides the couple’s declaration of everlasting love and companionship. This ceremony has become extremely popular throughout India and beyond and a lot of careful planning goes into its making.

What is Sagun Brahman?

At some parts Vedas say brahman has no eye, no arm, no leg, no mind etc etc. Or brahman is formless. At some parts Vedas say brahman has thousands of heads, thousands of eyes, thousands of hands, thousands of legs, chandramaa was born from his mind. Or brahman is having a form. Some parts say brahma is nirguna and some parts say brahman is saguna. Are vedas contradicting within themselves? Answer is no.

Nirguna-nirakara brahma means brahman whose attributes and true transcontinental forms cannot be perceived through the matarialastic sense organs. Just like saying amulya or priceless to the the things which value cannot be determined. Brahman doesn’t have praakruta sarira like the jeevas living inside prakriti mandala have thus, being his forms cannot be defined in the term of elements of nature, he is called nirakara brahman. Brahman is free from all the flaws of nature thus, having the qualities which cannot be explained in the terms of the qualities of nature, he is called nirguna brahma.

Saguna-sakar brahma means brahma who is full of infinite numbers of divine attributes which are endless and whose body is made from suddha satvam.

So, the terms Nirguna-nirakara and Saguna-sakar compliment each others. Brahman is having the sarira which is made from suddha satva but not from elements of nature and brahman is full of divine attributes and free from all the flaws of nature.

Nirguna and Saguna

Two Aspects of God

God can be experienced in two aspects – as NIRGUNA and SAGUNA .

NIRGUNA is the eternal all-pervading and omnipresent divine consciousness.
SAGUNA is the manifestation of God in form.

The sun is a graphic simile for this. Sunlight is the Nirguna form of the sun, and the celestial body is the Saguna form.

When God manifests in form he appears to be limited by his form, but his presence is unlimited and all-pervading. Nothing exists without God’s presence. God is omnipresent and absolute.

God is in everything, and everything is in God. God exists in everything that we call “good” as well as in everything we describe as “bad”. In God there is no limitation or differentiation, only unity. Nirguna God is pure energy, the living and conscious power that is at work in the Universe. Reality, the Supreme Self, is Nirguna God.

In the Katha Upanishad it is said:

“Paramātmā is the same everywhere, in every world, on every level throughout the entire Cosmos. Until you recognise this you will continue to be reborn. Paramātmā remains the same – in past, present and future. It is the same in the heart of an ant or an elephant, in every living being. It is the Cause of everything.”

But how can one reach Nirguna God? How can one meditate on God; how can one become one with God? Our true Self is Nirguna. It is shapeless; it has no form. The opposite of this is Saguna, our physical body, which we will one day leave. In essence we are permanently connected to Nirguna. We are Nirguna, but are not conscious of this.

Within the universal, divine Phänomen we exist as tiny, individual phänomens. Each one of these phänomen possesses its own qualities. The individual phänomen (Jīvātmā) is like a delicate, iridescent soap bubble. In the centre of this “bubble” is the Ātmā, the Self, hidden and encased in the five Koshas. Ātmā is a tiny spark of light, the essence of Paramātmā.

The relationship between Jīvātmā, Ātmā and Paramātmā, and also between Saguna and Nirguna, can be clarified by a comparison with water. Any water on our planet has its origin in the ocean, just as the Ātma existing within us has its origin in God. We can compare water transformed by the addition of different flavours or colours with the Jīvātmā and its personal qualities, and Ātmā, the essence of the higher personality, with pure water. Just as a drop of water is part of the ocean, the Ātmā is eternally a part of God. Quantity plays no role in this – it is only the quality and nature that are important. And we would never describe a drop of water as the “ocean”.

When water rises in tiny drops from the ocean we call it “mist” or “fog”. When this moisture rises up into the sky it becomes known as “clouds”, and “rain” when it falls down again. The limited, individual existence of a raindrop comes to an end when it unites with other drops in a lake, stream or river; and the existence of the river ends when it flows out into the ocean after a long journey. Then all the drops of water that had united in the river again become the “ocean”.

In the same way as the drops of water re-united with their source, the ocean, our limited, individual existence and consciousness will one day re-unite with their source – the unlimited, divine essence. Only the same qualities can unite. Only the same can become one. For as long as we still carry our personal qualities and Karmas with us, union with the divine is not possible. Before we can attain God-Realisation we must shed all those feelings, thoughts and qualities that are obstacles to the development of divine principles.

Our true Self is not the body, nor the feelings, nor the thoughts; and it is neither the intellect nor our qualities. The Self is energy – vibration – it is in constant motion. It is only because of the ignorant notion that we do not know God that a difference exists between the Self and God. God-Realisation means Self-Realisation – and at the same time Self-Realisation is God-Realisation. Those who have not yet realised their Self, cannot realise God; and those who have not experienced God do not know who they, themselves, are.

It is everyone’s goal to reach God again. We are all travellers and each soul is striving to return to God, either consciously or unconsciously. Just as a stone falls to the earth because of gravity, and a river flows into the ocean because of the gradient, an elemental force of attraction draws us back to God. We are all seeking God – our true Self. God is actually within us, but until we recognise this we feel cut off and lost in time and space.

God in Nirguna form is in fact everywhere and in everything, but this is not easily comprehensible or “appealing” to our human intellect. The ultimate goal of humans is to become one in consciousness with the Nirguna form of God. But the medium through which we can reach this goal is the embodied form of God, Saguna.

It is difficult or almost impossible for our intellect to grasp and understand the universal, eternal, all-conscious and omnipresent divine energy. It is much easier for us to have a divine incarnation as a figurehead, towards whom we are able to direct our feelings.

In the Saguna aspect, God appears in a human form making it easier for us to come closer. There have been divine incarnations in every age to show people the path to Nirguna God.

If we want to send a message in a bottle out into the ocean one sure way would be to throw it into a large river; in this way it will certainly reach the ocean sooner or later. In the same way if we follow the river of consciousness of a divine incarnation we will reach the ocean of Nirguna safely. When we trust in his guidance we will definitely reach the goal. In this way Saguna Bhakti, love and devotion to God in a form in which we are able to perceive and worship God, develops quite naturally from Nirguna Bhakti, the realisation of the divine Will.

Lord Krishna speaks about Saguna God in the Bhagavad Gita (4/7):

“Whenever righteousness is on the decline and unrighteousness is on the increase I appear in the material world. From age to age I come into being to protect the good, destroy the bad and consolidate righteousness.”

From time to time the divine light, the power and wisdom of God, manifests in a human body. Personalities who are born as perfect and realised ones are called Avatāras , divine incarnations. They come to earth as liberators and saviours, to teach people the eternal truth and inspire them to follow the spiritual path. They are the SATAGURUS, the divine Masters.

Divine incarnations live in the world just like us. Externally there is no difference to other people; their body consists of earthly elements and is subject to the laws of nature, but their mind and consciousness stand above all the laws and limitations of nature. Unlike the rest of us divine incarnations are not born due to Karmic consequences but come of their own free will and are totally aware of their divine origin and their mission on earth.

There is one question that constantly concerns people: Why the number of divine incarnations on earth?

There is only one God who has neither form nor name. It is the human mind that has created the many different images and forms of God. God is known as: Holy Father, Allah, Īshvara, Divine Will, Cosmic Principle, Universal Consciousness, Love, Supreme Self, etc. There are probably as many images and names for God as there are people on the planet. Each person has an impression of God according to their own level of spiritual development, and forms their own mental image of God. Everyone expresses their worship for the Divine in their very own way.

A person devoted to God (a Bhakta) is never alone. A Bhakta always feels connected to God and lives happily and contentedly whatever happens. That person thinks of God, meditates on God, speaks about God and avoids anything that can distance him from God. Everything a Bhakta does is done for God. God accepts responsibility for and takes care of those Bhaktas who consecrate their lives and themselves to Him.

• BHAKTI – Devotion
• GYANA – Wisdom
• VAIRĀGYA – Renunciation of worldly things
• SATSANG – Spiritual company

These are the four cornerstones of spiritual life. Therefore pray to God to bless you with these four gifts. But if it seems to be a little presumptuous to ask for so much, then pray only for one; the most important one – Bhakti! Bhakti gives us divine light and everlasting bliss.

There is a story related to this in the Rāmāyana, an Indian epic:

Hanuman, the loyal devotee and helper of Lord Rāma, took himself off to Srī Lanka to look for Rāma’s abducted wife, Sītā. When he finally found her and was able to approach her secretly, he gave her a ring from her husband to identify him, and also to encourage and comfort her. Sītā was supremely happy to experience anything of her beloved Rāma, and wanting to reward Hanuman asked if he had a wish. Hanuman said: “Mother, there is only one thing I wish for: Give me Bhakti in every life.”

Hanuman then returned to Rāma and delivered the joyful news that he had found Sītā and she was alive. Joyfully Rāma said: “Hanuman for these glad tidings tell me what it is you wish for, whatever you desire; a kingdom, Siddhis, treasure, I am prepared to give you anything.” But Hanuman again implored: “Lord, I wish only for Bhakti.”

Finally when victory over the demon king had been won and Sītā had been freed, they all returned happily to Ayodhyā, safe and sound. Those who had stood by Rāma were richly rewarded. When it came to Hanuman’s turn to receive his gift, Sītā took a priceless pearl necklace from her neck wishing to present it to Hanuman. But he refused, saying: “Mother you have promised to give me Bhakti. There is nothing else I desire.”

Bhakti was a thousand times more valuable to Hanuman than wealth, glory or fame.

There are two types of Bhakti – Nirguna and Saguna – and both are equally important. For as long as we are unable to understand God and the Master in both aspects, Nirguna and Saguna, and believe in them, we cannot attain MOKSHA (liberation). We should recognise and realise both forms. Whoever has doubts about the Saguna form of God is also unable to realise the Nirguna aspect; and, likewise, meditating only on Nirguna without having Saguna God within your heart, will not lead you to the goal.

Unfortunately in many cases people’s visions of God have become misguided and dogmatic, and, historically, have given rise to numerous rivalries, disputes and so-called “holy” wars, which are still occurring today.

There are no wars that are “holy” wars. God, who has created the entire world, loves each and every living entity equally. For God no religion is given precedence. A God who claims to be Christian, Hindu or Muslim is definitely not God, because in God there is no duality. Such limitations are the work of man and cause much suffering in the world.

Often we come across the narrow-minded and fanatical view that “My faith and my God are the best and all others are false, or at least inferior.” It is just like children squabbling over whose father is the best. And just as the parents of each one of us are the “best” parents for us, the form of God that we love and worship is the “right” and “best” form of God for us.

With the knowledge that there is only one God who has been given many different names and forms by those who love God, our attitude to other religions and systems of belief should always be shaped by tolerance and respect. When we are able to see, honour and love God in every one of our fellow humans we are certainly on the right path.

Shagun and Chunni Chadai

The Chunni Ceremony is performed to symbolize the bride’s acceptance into the groom’s family. On the morning of the Sagai or the day before, a group of women arrives at the bride’s home. Together with jewels, sweets, fruit, and mawa, they also carry the bride’s attire for the Sagai. A unique component of the present is a Chunni, a head scarf with elaborate decorations. The bride wears the chunni as a veil, covering her face while it is placed on her head. Chunni Chadana is the name of this ritual. Her mother-in-law then presents her with jewelry, such as bangles or necklaces that are family treasures, and assists her in putting them on. Her palm receives a little henna dot to signify the auspiciousness of the ritual. The bride receives what is referred to as Shagun gifts.

Personalised Shagun Envelopes: Origin and Significance in Indian Culture

Using shagun envelopes is an important cultural practice during wedding celebrations across India. Giving a token amount is considered auspicious, and the amount may vary from a few hundred to thousands. Irrespective of this amount, there is always a one rupee coin included with the envelope which has an auspicious significance attached to it as everyone wants to be “number one” in their life’s milestones. Though shagun envelopes have undergone various transformations in terms of style and design, their intent remains the same. Memorys offer a wide range of personalised shagun envelopes and you may choose the style and design that matches your persona. You may look for customised shagun envelopes or shagun envelopes with a name to add a personal touch to it. In this article, we focus on bringing out their exact origin and what place they hold in the Indian society today.

THE ORIGIN OF SHAGUN ENVELOPES

Although the exact day of their origin is undetermined, an abstract interpretation is that these were gifted to families who conducted their children’s wedding. It is a known fact that weddings in India have always been an expensive affair. As a result, the family’s income-bearer had to arrange for all wedding-related expenses including food, jewellery, decoration, and gifts. Therefore, the relatives and friends of the family used to share the expense in the form of cash gifted in a shagun envelope. Today, this trend has taken the form of a blessing that is offered to newlywed couples packed in personalised and designer shagun envelopes.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GIFTING SHAGUN ENVELOPES

Shagun envelopes play a significant role in Indian weddings as almost everyone gives cash gifts to the newlywed couple as a blessing. Handing a cash note directly is considered impolite; however, gifting cash in a well-decorated and customised shagun envelope is an ancient custom as it covers the cash gift inside. Undoubtedly, these envelopes have taken over other gift options in the Indian community today. As Memorys tries to make your cash gift memorable with a vast variety of personalised shagun envelopes online, you can leave a lasting impact on the minds of your loved ones.

SHAGUN

शगुन, शुभ मुहूर्त मा हुने काम, मुख्य त खाना !

Shagun is basically ritual food for a good time, food that something to bring good luck and energized.

It is given on different occasions most prominent in Newari culture to symbolize a healthy time. It is a normal practice in various religious and cultural rituals like during travels, weddings, birthdays, achievements, celebrations so on. Each Culture and community have a similar way of doing.

Shagun practically means it is blessing food to get confidence, a positive and winning vibe. It is given on different occasions most prominent in Newari culture to symbolize a healthy time.

शगुन खायर जाऊ हगि बाबु I still remember every day when I leave from home. Traveling was my part of the job.

A balance between our surroundings of five elements, earth, fire, air, water, and, space is regarded as integral for human safety and prosperity. Shagun is given to make sure there is a balance between these elements, which is integral for success, happiness, and safety. Items symbolizing these elements in different ways.

For me anything my mum, dad & sister gives before I leave is Shagun. In my case, mostly slices of banana, sweet yogurt all depends on what we have in-home or the season of fruits for us in our family.

For the Newar community namely, egg, fish, alcohol, water, and fire are all present as a part of this ritual, creating balance.

Lord Ganesh regarded as the protector deity who removes obstructions from people’s lives is the central character of the ritual. Mostly family, friends, and neighbors gather and present all items regarded important for good luck kind of wishing good luck through food. So, Take the gate as that auspicious food as energy and blessed food. There is Lord Ganesh, followed by a Mandala made with rice and colors, curd, duck’s egg, fish, and alcohol.

This is a practice involving many family, friends, neighbors, and relatives, eating, and celebrating together.

Food is part of our culture and offering water in Nepal is saying hello like in western world.

चिया खानु भयो? Have you had tea? खाना खानु भयो ? have you eaten? all depend on which time you met but our greeting start from food.

Shagun intrigues some and is a way of life for others. Like an idea or a feeling, it is a practice that is a part of very old and respected culture and still involves the humble idea of praying for an individual’s safety and prosperity. There is added pomp to the ritual, but the idea remains and that is why it still holds its place in the culture. It gives a very high level of energy that the giver feels he will be safe, and the taker feel he is energized

A balance between five elements, earth, fire, air, water, space is regarded as integral for human safety and prosperity. Shagun is given to make sure there is a balance between these elements, which is integral for happiness and safety. Items symbolizing these elements in different ways, namely, egg, fish, alcohol, water, and fire are all present as a part of this ritual, creating the balance.

Lord Ganesh regarded as the protector deity who removes obstructions from people’s lives is the central character of the ritual. Family and friends gather and present all items regarded important for good luck. There is Lord Ganesh, followed by a Mandala made with rice and colors, curd, duck’s egg, fish, and alcohol.

It has expanded over the years resembling something more than good luck and has grown bigger into a festive occasion because of prosperity. It is a practice involving many family members, friends, relatives, and neighbors, eating, and celebrating together.

Shagun is a practice that is a part of heritage culture and still involves the great idea of praying for an individual’s safety and prosperity. There is added value to people’s life and bind together peoples and communities for a better society.

I strongly believe some of the cultures might go away with time but not food-related culture.

Indian Celebrations are Incomplete without the Mandatory Shagun! 

Shagun Envelope or more commonly known as a ‘shagun lifafa’ in India is used to present cash gifts on various occasions. Whether you’re looking for the perfect lifafa to be gifted to the Indian bride or looking for a shagun envelope to be gifted to the new born, here’s a list of perfect shagun envelopes which you can buy online for every occastion!

Shagun envelopes are beautiful gift wrappers for cash gifts. These are very characteristic of Indian traditional ceremonies and functions – you will often find elderly ladies and men carrying a colourful paper envelope in their hands containing cash gifts for their relatives. This trend has been going on since long and today, shagun envelopes have seen quite a transformation in terms of design and decoration, but the essence and motive behind this small cover remains the same.

Normally given away during auspicious occasion in India, Shagun envelopes convey love and blessings in cash given by loving family members and friends during auspicious occasions. These are often given to married daughters who come to visit their relatives after their marriage. While some still believe in gifting useful items and sweets, others prefer giving cash believing that the recipient can buy whatever they want. Shagun envelopes are more common in Indian traditional functions and ceremonies because the one who gifts believes it is often easy and practical to give cash gifts rather than spending on something the recipient will not like. But you obviously cannot hand away cash to someone just like that! So a shagun envelope came into existence to hold the cash gift securely and act as gift wrappers.

Staple in Indian Weddings

A shagun envelope plays an important part in Indian weddings. Even when you insist of receiving ‘blessings only’ from your family members, most of them arrive with a shagun envelope in their hands, which they lovingly thrust into your hands. The cash amount differs from a personal perspective and one’s budget, but the motive behind it is to ‘begin a new life’. Right from the bride and groom’s parents to the attendees in the function, everyone gives cash gifts to the new couple to bless them.

Why Do Shagun Envelopes Carry a One Rupee Coin?

You might have noticed that often a shagun envelope carries a one rupee coin either inside or sometimes it is even stuck on the outside with a cello tape. You might be wondering what the significance of this one rupee coin is. The humble one rupee always shared a space with bigger cash values like 100, 500 or 1000. The cash gifts are often given in numbers of 51, 101, 201, 501 or 1001 and so on. There are various reasons and logic behind this practice:

Indivisible: The reason behind this is that these amounts cannot be divided equally and the recipients can enjoy the amount on their own without having to share it with anyone.

Hope for Continuity: Another logic behind number one is that if an amount ends in zero, it denotes the end of a transaction, but if it ends with another number it depicts continuity and hope for future transactions. In Indian customs, this can be translated with the sentiment of ‘continuing to give gifts’ to the recipient.

Debt: Yet in another theory, the ‘lone’ rupee coin is a symbolic sign of debt to the receiver. He is expected to attend religious and traditional ceremonies of the one who gifts and return the shagun along with the outstanding ‘one rupee’ loan.

Investment: Some other people believe that the logic behind this additional one rupee is to let the recipient know that while he or she can spend the shagun amount, the one rupee is meant for savings or wise investments. It could also be given to charities or to attract good karma.

Meant to Stay: This reasoning makes the most sense of all. Any ‘dhatu’ or metal coming from the earth’s crust is meant to be forever. It is also considered a form of goddess Lakshmi. So while the paper currency may slip away or be used, the metal coin can be easily saved and preserved. It will never make you penniless.

You may pick any reason you like, but the tradition stays with many of us not even knowing the reason behind this practice, but just following it as our ancient custom.

Abolish/Ban the Sagan/Shagun Ceremony in Hindu Marriages

Why this petition matters

For centuries, the Marriage systems have been biased against women and have in-turn put undue pressures on the parents of the brides. One of the biggest social evils related to Hindu marriages was that of Dowry, which was abolished by the government in 1961 under the Dowry Prohibition Act. 

However, despite the existence of this landmark act, families of brides continue to be pressurized for a modern form of dowry in the name of traditions of giving gifts to the groom’s family. The tradition is called – Sagan/shagun Ceremony.

Sagan Ceremonies are typically held a few days or weeks before the wedding where the parents of the bride are supposed to give lavish and expensive gifts to the extended family of the groom. The gifts are expected to be in the form of cash, gold jewelry, clothes for the entire family including the Groom’s  and his parents’s cousins and friends. What must be gifted and in what quantities is also often dictated by the Groom’s family. 

While gifting out of one’s own will and choice is not a social evil, pressurizing/forcing the bride’s family to give expensive gifts to the groom’s family is certainly a social evil. Often the Bride’s family is expected to organise and fund the Sagan/Shagun Ceremony. The Groom’s parents hand over an entire list of people from their family whom the Bride’s parents must give ‘good’ gifts which are often beyond their affordability. All this is done by the Bride’s family to receive nothing in return, not even a token of thanks or appreciation, leave alone gifts from the grooms’s parents.

And since this ceremony is held just a few days/weeks before the wedding, the Bride’s family faces tremendous pressure as their daughter’s wedding is dependent on the pomp & show and the money spent on the sagan/shagun ceremony. 

These ceremonies are social evils not only because they put the groom and his family in a superior position for no real reason but also because they reinforce the notion of female inferiority in the society. The girl’s parents are expected to please the groom’s family and satisfy their demands only because they are ‘the parents of a girl’. The fear of huge amounts of money that is needed to be spent on a daughters wedding is often one of the many reasons for female foeticides and infanticides. 

If we aim to create an equal world for men and women, we also need to have equal rules for them. It is important that we ban and shun traditions that project women in an inferior light, victimise the parents of a girl and give undue positions of unwarranted importance to the parents of a boy for the sole reason of having a male child. 

While there is no doubt that women and men are equal beings, I hope that one day women will also be treated as equal beings in the society. I also hope that such a day shall arrive soon!

What is the need for Shagun Rumal in a Punjabi Wedding?

If you have ever attended a Punjabi wedding then you must know that there are lots of customs and rituals performed during the wedding. Some of these rituals need some special accessories. Well, here we are going to talk about Shagun Rumals and why they are needed. So, keep reading!

What is a Shagun Rumal?

A shagun rumal is a beautifully crafted round piece of cloth with a dori (thread) on the circumference to make it a perfect pouch with a stretch to the dori. 

The fabric used to make this rumal is generally tissue and velvet. The colour is bright like red, pink with golden or red tissue on the outer part. The inner fabric is generally beautifully crafted with motifs, tilla and thread work.

Use of Shagun Rumal

• These rumals are used to collect shagun in the form of cash which is given by the relatives and friends of the couple. It is symbolized as a blessing to the couple for their prosperous married life.
  
  
• There are many ceremonies associated with a Punjabi wedding and for each ceremony, its tradition is to bless the bride and the groom with some cash. It could be roka, engagement or the wedding day. These Rumals make it easy to collect this money and later can be handily stored too.
  
  
• Shagun Rumals online are generally bought in pairs, one for the bride and one for the groom. The couple sits together on the stage with matching rumals on their lap. The relatives and friends take turns to bless the couple and get a photograph with them.

The Shagun Rumals are one of the necessary wedding accessories. You can get them in various colors, fabrics and even in different styles of embroideries

Sagan Ceremony

Punjabi weddings are famed for their grandeur and opulence. Punjabis pull all stops when it comes to celebration and their wedding frequently resembles a carnival. Sagan is the first ceremony in a Punjabi Wedding preceding a long list of rituals. Sagan Ceremony is usually performed in the groom’s house or in a banquet hall if the number of guests is more. The Sagan Ceremony is usually held ten or twelve days before the day of the marriage. The girl’s family visit the groom’s carrying ‘tikka’ material and wrapped gifts. Sagan is basically a ceremony where the relatives from both the sides get to know each other.

Rituals

During the ceremony, the pundit performs a sacred fire ceremony ‘havan’. Thereafter the entire bride’s relatives and friends bless the groom and offer him sweets and gifts. Sagan Ceremony is followed by the ritual of Chunni Sadan.

Nowadays both Sagan Ceremony and Chunni sadan are combined for the sake of convenience. Chunni Chadana is the occasion when the boy’s parents and relatives visit the girl’s house. The boy’s sister or sister in law presents a red ‘Chunni’ or a red sari to the bride. After the bride is dressed up in the sari, she is lead into the ceremonial venue. The groom’s mother then gives her gifts and adorns her with jewelry. The mother in law feeds the bride with porridge of boiled rice and milk. A tiny dot of Mehendi is applied on her palm for good luck. The bride and groom then exchange rings and are given gifts in cash and kind by the relatives and friends of the groom.

Special features

Certain families follow a trend where a priest ties a sacred thread onto the groom’s wrist. The practice of combining Sagan Ceremony and Chunni Sadan though widely followed is often frowned upon by the older generation.

Shagun शगुन

The Shagun ritual is an important ritual before a marriage takes place. At this time, the girls parents take the shagun to the groom’s house. Nowadays, often the shagun and chunni rituals are performed together at the same venue.

शगुन की रीत शादी से पहले की एक महत्वपूर्ण रीत है। इस समय लड़की वाले लड़के के घर शगुन ले कर जाते हैं। आज कल अक्सर शगुन और चुन्नी चढ़ाने की रीत को एक साथ ही कर दिया जाता है।

Eleven or twenty-one Kuja Mishri (big big round mishri) are decorated on the edges of the shagun thaal. Five kinds of nuts including chuare (dried dates), whole coconut, and almonds are placed in the middle.

शगुन के थाल में किनारों में ग्यारह या इक्कीस कुजा मिश्री (बड़ी बड़ी गोल मिश्री) सजाई जाती है। उसके बीच में छुआरे, साबुत नारियल, और बादाम सहित पाँच मेवे रखे जाता है।

Eleven of these chuharas (dried dates) are kept tied individually with a mauli thread.

इसमें से ग्यारह छुआरे मौली में बांध कर सजा कर रखे जाते हैं।

Along with this, clothes, gold ornaments and cash are given according to the capability of the bride’s family.

इसके साथ कपड़े, सोने के गहने और नकद अपने समर्थ के हिसाब से दिया जाता है।

The groom is given a full set of clothes. It consists of five items, including a suit, undferclothes (vest, etc.) and a towel. There is no handkerchief in it.

दूल्हे का कपड़ों का पूरा जोड़ा देते हैं। इसमें पाँच चीज़ें होती है, जिसमे सूट, नीचे पहनने के कपड़े (बनियान आदि) और तौलिया होता है। इसमें रुमाल नहीं दिया जाता।

At this time, clothes and cash gifts are also given to the parent’s of the groom, his sisters, brothers, and other relatives.

इस समय सास-ससुर, दूल्हे के बहन, भाई और अन्य सम्बन्धियों के कपड़े इत्यादि भी दिए जाते हैं।

The groom’s shagun tika ceremony is performed by the girl’s brother and the rest of the shagun is given by the girl’s father. Some people also give the relatives their gifts like a milni ceremony. (The maternal uncle will give to the maternal uncle, paternal uncle to paternal uncle, etc.)

दूल्हे को शगुन का टीका लड़की का भाई लगता है और शगुन लड़की के पिताजी देते हैं। कुछ लोग सम्बन्धियों के कपड़े मिलनी की तरह भी देते हैं। (जैसे मामा जी को मामा जी को देंगे, चाचा जी को चाचा जी इत्यादि)

After the shagun ceremony, a set of clothes called pocha is given for the mother-in-law, along with make-up, bidd and cooked milk-rice. In earlier days, the mother-in-law did not go to the wedding ceremony. Instead, she used to wait for the wedding procession to return by putting her feet in lassi and wearing the pocha that had been given on the shagun day.

सास के लिए शगुन की रीत के बाद पोचा दिया जाता है, इसमें साड़ी, श्रृंगार का सामान, बिद्द और दूध-चावल होता है। पहले समय में सास फेरों पर नहीं जाती थी। वह लस्सी में पैर डाल कर और पोचा पहन कर बारात का इंतज़ार करती थी।

SHAGUN

shagun is generally held a day or two before the actual wedding.herein the bride’s family goes to the grooms house with gifts n all.in return the grooms family also gives gifts to brides family!!!

Significance of Shagun Ki Thali in Weddings

Shagun Ki Thali:

Shagun ki Thali is a plate made of steel, silver or brass which is used for the Aarti.

In different languages

Also known as Shagun ki thaal or Shagun plate, Aarti plate or aarti ki thali.

Usage

Shagun ki thali is a must have in all Hindu marriages.

When is it used?

As soon as the Baraat arrives, they are warmly welcomed. The Groom is considered as form of MahaVishnu (In Hindu Religion, the Supreme God). The Bride’s Mother receives the groom with the Shagun ki thali for the Tilak (kumkum and raw rice) and Aarti. After the wedding, when the Bride arrives at her new home, the Groom’s mother or his sister welcomes her. Then, the Shagun ki Thali is used to welcome the Bride into her new home where she begins her marital journey.

How to source?

It is easily available in outlets dealing with vessels. Silver, Gold and Brass ones are easily available in jewellery shops. Made-to-order ones could be purchased as well.

What does it contain?

In India, each community has its own individual style of decorating their Wedding Thalis. The Key components which are majorly used by all are Diya, Kumkum, Raw Rice, Sweets, Flowers & Water.

• The Diya represents the fire component or heat.
• The Flower represents the earth (solid).
• The Water represents the water element (liquid).
• Sweet represents the strong bond between the couple and their families.

Trivia

• The Shagun plate is treated as a symbol of good luck.
• Thalis made of silver or brass are considered auspicious for weddings.
• The Thali can also be beautifully decorated with hand paintings.
• A ‘swastika’ symbol in the middle of the plate is commonly observed.
• To add a rich look, a Zari Border is wrapped around.

An innovative and cost-effective way to decorate is to use colored paper or foil

How Much Shagun to Give in a Wedding?

Shagun, in Indian culture, is usually a monetary gift for an auspicious occasion and wishing the person good luck for their future. The word Shagun comes from the “sa-gun” meaning “good attributes” and it also implies “auspicious blessings”.

Give and ye shalt receive!!

Once you have received an Indian Wedding Invitation then Shagun money is one of the most traditional gifts given in an Indian Wedding. In the wedding celebrations, practically at every function, everyone is giving Shagun to each other. The guests, family members and friends give Shagun to the Bride and Groom. The parents of the couple give shagun to their own family members and to the family members of the in-laws.

Happy to give but “how much” is a puzzle !!

How much Shagun? is always a struggle to decide, for anyone who has to give. Basically, it depends on many factors. For example, Who is giving to whom and on what function? What are the norms in your family, social circle or community? Are you giving for the first time or are you reciprocating?

What goes around, comes around!!

Remember yourself wondering why your parents kept a record in that notebook, of who gave what, to whom and when. At that time it must have seemed very transactional but when it comes to reciprocating, it is actually quite helpful.

What you give, shall you get!!

Anyways, maybe you don’t have a family ledger for earlier shaguns, it is still not very complicated if you ask the right people. In family situations best to ask some family members, in the case of friends you can compare notes with your other friends. And in both cases, remember that you have the discretion of adjusting the amounts you give. Sometimes a suggestion may sound too little or too much. Please tweak the amounts to suit your own relationships, budgets and sensibilities.

The thought counts more than the gift !!

Don’t fret too much about getting the Shagun right. Did I give too little or did I go overboard? Remember, shaguns are always a token of love and blessing. It’s never about the amount. In any case, gifts can never be too little and never too much. It’s the thought that counts in the end. In case you feel you could have done better, don’t worry too much because there will be enough opportunities to make up. And by chance, if you have been more than generous, you will be always remembered as fondly as otherwise.

A small reminder that odd is even better !!

Not that it matters, it’s considered auspicious to give what is called an odd figure. 101 over 100, 501 over 500, 1100 over 1000 and 11000 over 10,000 and so on. It’s how our parents have been giving and it how you can continue the tradition too.

Discretion is the better part of giving

Buy a  money envelope for wedding. It is gift wrapping for the cash. Giving money in sight of everyone is considered flaunting and is usually in poor taste. A nice shagun envelope will feel nice using them whenever there is a celebration, of which we wish you lots and lots in future.

Salt Shagun – The bride places some amount of salt in her husband’s hands. The husband in turn hands it back to her. The ritual is repeated three times.

Salt Shagun

Salt Shagun is a Sindhi wedding ritual where the bride places some salt in the groom’s hands and he is supposed to give it back to her hands without spilling any. This process is repeated three times. 

Salt Shagun

For the Salt Shagun, the bride places some salt in the groom’s hands and he is supposed to give it back to her hands without spilling any salt. This process is repeated three times. 

That Infamous ‘Shagun Ka Lifafa’

Baniyas are famous for handing out the shagun ka lifafas (envelopes) as gifts and wedding favours. At the end of every ceremony, these envelopes will show up in the hands of the adults, ready for their launch.

Logic Behind Adding One Rupee Coin As ‘Shagun’

Adding one rupee extra means that the good wishes and blessings bestowed by you are inseparable. That extra one
rupee is considered a loan. To give that one rupee means that the real debt is on the recipient who has to come again and meet the giver. One rupee is a symbol of continuity.

Everything in life has its own importance or is a matter of belief. India is a diverse country so are the people who follow different beliefs that make them stand up high among others. One such tradition that is widely seen in India is giving a one rupee coin as a Shagun. No matter how much amount you give as Shagun, it always ends on 1. It is an amount or a Shagun given at the beginning of something. How could something good start with a zero (as per psychological notion), so add a rupee simply, and as counting begins with one (1)? Hence, one is considered as the beginning of something good. What may be the real amount, whereas the pending 1 rupee is considered as debt?

As per belief, it means that person will pay back rupee one (1) whenever he/she will meet next time. The cycle goes on like this that results in forming a strong bond. The more you will meet; the better will be the understanding and relation. Basically, it is a way of saying “we will meet again”. It is regarded as an extra bonus to the blessings. Elders say that invest that one rupee in doing good deeds, charity or for a great purpose to increase in either cash or kind or karma. Giving an extra coin is seen as a silent wish for the receiver to have more in his/her life. Knowing the fact that shunya/zero is not considered very auspicious for family persons, so we add one to the given amount. Shunya is associated with Brahma jnam as is the Brahma muhurta. Any work started in this hour apart from meditation/spiritual activity is bound to be fruitless. Hence, if gifts were in kind then you could give a gift like clothes, jewellery, and add a coin.

Generally Indians consider numbers like 100, 200, 50, etc. to be stable numbers. It means that they will not decrease or increase or more precisely, they are without a trend. When you add one to it, it signifies a growing trend that your number will increase. Indians give money to someone as a gift, wish that the amount gievn should increase and bring prosperity to the receiver of the gift. That is why we add one more rupee to our gift so that it can start a growth in financials, happiness and joy in your life. Also, if one rupee is not added, to the amount will end in zero (50, 500, or 2000) and zero denotes an end.

The concept of giving one extra rupee initially started in marriage ceremonies because the first social celebrations included only marriages. Other poojas and rituals were done in social events which didn’t include gifting of money. Hence, the concept of gifting money started from marriages. Why that extra Rupee? Marriage is an event where two bodies and two souls get together. They unite and the future life will be based on togetherness.

Accordingly, whenever an amount comes in the house, it shouldn’t be able to split up. For example, if you gift Rs 50, the couple can easily split it into Rs 25 each which was not considered to be appropriate. Make the amount such that it cannot be divided – Rs 51! Cheers! Many people feel that gift amount must not end with zero. Hence, they add one rupee coin. Nowadays we see gift envelopes already containing a coin of denomination of Re. 1/. Even people contributes in Provident fund with odd figures like Rs. 4001/-, Rs. 5001/, Rs. 10,001/-, and so on.

This tendency is primarily due to cultural conditioning. In North India, it has been a cultural custom to gift a rupee extra in addition to the amount being gifted (Rs 101, 501, 1001 etc). In Tamil we call it kosur. That means giving something extra than eligible. For example if we fetch one liter milk from the vendor, he shall pour some more as kosur. Same is the case of adding one rupee to the gift cash.

But this trend is not there in South Indian states. There is no logic behind this; it is only a custom continuing throughout the years. It is only a matter of belief and considered good as per tradition we have seen. These figures are considered to be good by our elders so we too follow and even when we do not want to do, we do it to avoid hurting anyone’s feeling.

Don’t know if this question arises in your mind. One might have heard it many times by the groom’s family that we don’t want anything, just give as one rupee along with your daughter in her marriage as that is enough. You may be encountered many situations where your parents give sufficient amount of money as a token of their love when someone arrives at your home and that person says give only one rupee coin as a shogun.

The Indian 1-rupee coin (₹1) is an Indian coin worth one Indian rupee and is made up of a hundred paisas. Currently, one rupee coin is the smallest Indian coin in circulation. Since 1992, one Indian rupee coin are minted from stainless steel. Round in shape, the one rupee coin weighs 3.76 grams (58.0 grains), has a diameter of 21.93-millimetre (0.863 in) and a thickness of 1.45-millimetre (0.057 in). In independent India, a one-rupee coin was first minted in 1950 and is currently in circulation.

There are, however, a few reasons behind such a rare tradition. Here are the five most prevalent notions about it. Well, there are five age-old reasons for doing that:

‘1’ signifies the beginning

“Zero” signifies an end, while “One” signifies a new beginning. That extra one rupee coin ensures that the receiver does not come across a zero. One of the best reasons behind such practice is not to start the counting with a zero. As per psychological notion, once you add one rupee coin to a gift amount, the receiver will count it starting with 1 with the one rupee coin. So, the person need not come across zero, which is considered as a negative one, rather he will start with a good note as he will start with one. It is widely believed that ‘0’ signifies the end while ‘1’ signifies the beginning.

Blessings remain indivisible

Mathematically, the numbers 100, 500 and 1000 are divisible; but the numbers 101, 501 and 1001 are indivisible. One wants good wishes and blessings to remain indivisible. Giving a sum which is odd for example 501 (or X+1), you make the entire amount indivisible. This amount is especially given to a married couple, and considered to bring luck as just like the amount, the couple remains indivisible. Hence, if you gift such amounts it is believed that the good wishes, good luck, and blessings remain indivisible which can be regarded as an extra bonus to the blessings that we get for gifting the main amount of money.

That one rupee is debt

It is a debt which means ‘we will meet again’. That extra one rupee is believed to be debt. Giving that one rupee means that the real debt lies on the receiver who will have to come again and meet the giver. The one rupee is the symbol of continuity. It will strengthen their bond. It simply means, “We will meet again and the friendship will continue”. Once you give your dear one a Shagun, if he is a well-behaved person, he would definitely try to return at least its equivalent to you someday. In short, the practice of keeping one extra rupee means that the giver in unsaid language says, ‘We will meet again’. The added one rupee is a symbol of continuity, ahead of the basic amount. It strengthens the bond between the giver and the receiver. It simply means, “Our good relationship will continue”.

Metal is divine

Metal is part of Goddess Lakshmi. The fourth probable reason behind the practice is metal comes from the Earth while Earth is regarded as a mother in Hindu mythology and hence auspicious. You must have heard the tradition of buying gold/ silver or any article made of metal on Dhanteras so that property gets to come to your house with the blessings of Goddess Laxmi. Shagun ka 1 Rupya is for investment and wish that the money we give increases and brings prosperity to our loved ones. While the bigger amount of the Shagun is for spending, that one rupee is the seed for growth. It is to be wisely invested or given in charity to increase in either cash or kind or karma.

Metal is auspicious

It is said that one must give some metal (dhatu) as a gift. Lastly, as per some beliefs it is considered auspicious to gift some metal. You must have seen elders giving rupee coins to priests like Dakshina. Coins are made of metals. Earlier copper and silver coins were prevalent while now steel-based alloys are used to make coins. Hence, while giving a Shagun a one rupee coin is added.

Hence, the added rupee must be a coin, and never a one-rupee note. A coin is made of metal, which comes from Mother Earth and it is considered to be a part of Goddess Lakshmi. We know that on Dhana Trayodashi/Dhanteras, it is considered auspicious to buy silver/gold or metal utensils. It corresponds to Prithvi Tattva (Earth Element) of the Pancha Maha Bhutas.

While the bigger amount is an investment, the one rupee coin is the “seed” for further growth of that investment. This means that the good wishes, good luck and blessings you give remain indivisible. That extra one rupee is believed to be debt. Giving that one rupee means that the real debt lies on the receiver who will have to come again and meet the giver. The one rupee is the symbol of continuity. Your good wishes and blessings are for the investment to grow in cash, kind or karma.

Reason Behind Having One Rupee Coin Attached On Shagun Envelop

In Indian weddings, rice ceremonies, or other religious ceremonies, guests proffer envelopes that contain cash or gift coupons. The envelope barely is attaching one single rupee with the envelope. It’s called a Shagun envelope. In India, people consider the one rupee to be auspicious for any holy ceremony.

Why so?

It is believed that when we add one rupee coin to any stable amount, the extra money depicts the wishing of growth for the receiver at various levels. In India, the ritual of giving cash as a gift during weddings and other occasions. People consider it to be good to add a rupee to the total amount.

However, there are various reasons behind this practice. For some, it’s a token of love and luck, and for some, it’s a blessing. Also, for others, it’s a beginning of a new cycle. Besides, many believe that the one rupee makes the sum an odd number and invisible, which is a good omen for a married couple.

If the rupee is not added, the total sum will be separable, and it will end in zero that indicates an end. So, adding the rupee will make the number odd, hence, assuring continuity.

Sagan or Shagun. Gifting cash is the easiest as it saves the hassle of going to the market and getting confused on options. ‘Paiso Ka Lifafa’ is always cherished by most couples. Many couples end up depositing the cash for their future use. If you have not decided on any gift yet, this is the best option. 

Shagun: What It Is In Hindu Weddings

Roka/Shagun Ceremonies.

Even in the twenty-first century, people’s faith in the institution of marriage remains unwavering regardless of the nation they call home, the religion they practice, or the community to which they belong.

Hindu weddings and the various pre-, during-, and post-wedding ceremonies are a prime example of the jubilation of people taking part in culturally significant celebrations. Hindu weddings are lengthy affairs that are meticulously planned. Family members are important for performing rituals as well as for bringing joy and vibrancy to the surroundings.

Hindu wedding ceremonies in particular are thought to be intimate affairs because of this. However, there is a lot more to learn about the typical north Indian hindu marriage ceremonies. There is a lot to discuss and enjoy at Indian weddings. Let’s dive deep into the pre- and post-wedding Hindu rituals.

Shagun’s gift meaning is unknown

On auspicious days, you give loved ones a token of gratitude known as a Shagun, which is what the word actually means. Gifts can include gold, silver, money, candies, and more.

What occurs during the Shagun ceremony?

The Sagan is distributed to travelers both before and after a long trip. It is given to those who have accomplished a remarkable feat or escaped a potentially fatal accident. A person is also honored during the ceremony. Both Buddhist and Hindu Newars participate in the Sagan ritual.

Serving rice wine during Sagan; observe the egg and smoked fish in the left hand.

Sagun, a Nepalese ceremony, involves the ritualized presentation of lucky food to a person as a sign of respect and good fortune. The Kathmandu Valley’s Newar community holds this ceremony in the highest regard. Boiled eggs, smoked fish, meat, lentil cakes, and rice wine are among the food items offered as representations of Tantric ideas

Birthdays, weddings, and old-age rites are just a few life-cycle events where The Sagan is displayed. On Nepalese New Year’s Day, it is also offered during the Mha Puja ceremony. The Sagan is distributed to travelers both before and after a long trip. It is given to people who have accomplished extraordinary feats or survived serious accidents. A person is also recognized during the ceremony. Both Hindu and Buddhist Newars perform the Sagan ritual.

How much cash is acceptable as Shagun?

There are many customs in India, and we have noticed for a long time that when a shagun envelope is given to a loved one on their wedding day, birthday, or for any other occasion, it also contains a one rupee coin in addition to the money that is usually kept inside.

Have you ever wondered why a one rupee coin is included in a Shagun envelope? There are many customs in India, and one of them is that for many years, whenever a Shagun envelope is given to a loved one on their wedding day, birthday, or for any other occasion, it also includes a one rupee coin in addition to the money that is usually kept inside the envelope.

A few factors contribute to this unusual tradition. Here are the top five misconceptions about it.

Not starting the counting with a zero is one of the best justifications for such a practice. According to a psychological theory, the recipient will start counting the gift amount from 1 after you add a one rupee coin. Therefore, the person need not encounter zero, which is regarded as a negative one; rather, he will start on a positive note as he will begin with one. It is generally accepted that “0” denotes the conclusion and “1” the beginning.

The minimum Shagun amount is

To residents who are from abroad, you cannot send gifts. The value of the gift must be at least Rs 501 in order to qualify for the Shagun.

This year,, the biggest cryptocurrency exchange in India, re-launched Muhurat Trading, which allows users to trade multiple cryptocurrencies without paying any trading commissions. In all WazirX markets (INR/USDT/WRX), users can exchange BTC, ETH, WRX, SHIB, DOGE, and 200 other cryptocurrencies without paying any fees. From October 20 through October 26, all users on the WazirX P2P platform will be able to make purchases for a minimum of 8 USDT (down from the previous 14.5 USDT). The auspicious day of Dhanteras, i.e., will see the beginning of the festive Muhurat on WazirX. e., starting at 6 PM IST on October 22, 2022, and lasting for an hour (until 7 PM IST). Next morning, I. e. The timings for Naraka Chaturdashi on October 23 will be the same as they were the day before (6 to 7 PM IST). On the occasion of Diwali, i. e. On October 24 from 6 PM to 11:59 PM IST, WazirX users can trade with no trading fees.

On the occasion of Diwali, i. e. On October 24, from 6 PM to 11:59 PM IST, WazirX users can trade with no commission. WazirX has also announced a traditional gifting initiative by introducing a special gift card feature on its platform that enables registered WazirX users to gift cryptocurrency to loved ones during the holiday season. The user must sign in to the WazirX app and select “Gift Crypto.”. Only Indian KYC-verified users are permitted to use this gifting feature. Foreign residents cannot receive gifts from you. if you want to be qualified for the.

The gift must be worth at least Rs 501. The first 10,000 WazirX users who send gift cards will receive a Shagun in WRX token(s). Based on a random drawing, this Shagun will be distributed. Regardless of how many Gift Cards a user sends, they will only ever receive Shagun once while the offer is active. If the recipient accepts the Gift Card, the sender will only get the Shagun. You as the sender will get an email when your gift is delivered and accepted.

Shagun is given for what reason?

In India, Shagun envelopes are typically distributed during auspicious occasions. They contain cash gifts of love and blessings made by adoring family members and friends. These are frequently given to daughters who have been married and visit their relatives.

Cash gifts are given on various occasions in India using the Shagun Envelope, also called the “Shagun Lifafa.”. Here is a list of ideal shagun envelopes that you can purchase online for every occasion, whether you’re searching for the ideal lifafa to give to the Indian bride or a shagun envelope to give to the new baby!

For monetary gifts, Shagun envelopes make lovely wrapping paper. These are very typical of Indian traditional ceremonies and functions; you will frequently see elderly women and men holding a colorful paper envelope in their hands that contains cash gifts for their relatives. The idea and purpose behind this small cover haven’t changed, despite the fact that this trend has been around for a while and shagun envelopes have undergone significant changes in terms of design and decoration.

In India, Shagun envelopes are typically distributed during auspicious occasions. They contain cash gifts of love and blessings from adoring family members and friends. When daughters visit their relatives after getting married and getting married, they are frequently given these. While some continue to believe in giving useful items and treats, others prefer giving cash because they believe the recipient can spend it however they please. Indian traditional events and ceremonies use shakun envelopes more frequently because those giving gifts believe it is frequently simple and practical to give cash gifts rather than spending money on items the recipient will not like. Shagun envelopes were created to hold cash gifts securely and serve as gift wrappers because it is obviously impossible to give someone cash in that manner.

What is the purpose of giving Shagun?

While it represents blessings, growth, and prosperity for some, it also represents the start of a new stage of life for others, which is why a shagun ka lifafa has a one rupee coin in addition to the money you keep inside the envelope when giving it to your loved ones on their wedding, birthday, or any other special occasion.

Have you ever questioned why we give cash gifts in odd numbers? Why don’t we give Rs 100, Rs 500, or Rs 1,000? Why is giving Rs 101, Rs 501, Rs 1,001, etc. considered auspicious?

Apart from the money you keep inside the envelope when giving it to your loved ones on their wedding, birthday, or any other special occasion, why does a shagun ka lifafa have a one rupee coin?

For others, it heralds the start of a new phase of life, while for others it represents blessings, growth, and prosperity.

Why do we give one rupee worth of shagun?

For some, it represents blessings, progress, and prosperity, while for others, it marks the start of a new phase of life.

Have you ever wondered why we give cash gifts in odd numbers? Why don’t we give Rs 100, Rs 500, or Rs 1,000 instead? Why is giving Rs 101, Rs 501, Rs 1,001, etc. considered auspicious?

In addition to the cash you place inside the envelope when giving a shagun ka lifafa to your loved ones on their wedding, birthday, or other special occasion, why does it have a one rupee coin?

For others, it heralds the start of a new phase of life, while for others it represents blessings, growth, and prosperity.

What should be given as Shagun in terms of money?

There are many customs in India, and we have noticed for a long time that when a shagun envelope is given to a loved one on their wedding day, birthday, or for any other occasion, it also contains a one rupee coin in addition to the money that is usually kept inside.

Have you ever wondered why a one rupee coin is included in a Shagun envelope? There are many customs in India, and we have noticed for a very long time that when a Shagun envelope is given to a loved one on their wedding day, birthday, or for any other occasion, it also includes a one rupee coin.

 There are a few reasons for this unusual tradition. Here are the top five ideas that people have about it.

Avoiding the zero at the beginning of the counting process is one of the best justifications for such a practice. According to a psychological theory, if you add a one rupee coin to a gift amount, the recipient will start counting the amount from 1 with the addition of the one rupee coin. Therefore, the individual need not encounter zero, which is regarded as a negative one, but rather will start on a positive note as he will begin with one. It is generally accepted that “0” denotes the conclusion and “1” the beginning.

What is the Shagun custom for getting married?

Both families would exchange shagun, or gifts, such as dry fruits, saris, suits, and jewelry. Even though no rings would be given or received during the ceremony, it would be regarded as an informal announcement of an engagement and subsequent courtship. Cached.

The bride and groom’s formal announcement that they have decided to get married and do not need to find another life partner is known as the roka. When a couple first decided to get married, the ceremony was frequently spontaneous, and the bride would receive a nose ring or family heirloom known as a “Nath” from the bridegroom’s mother. On the other hand, members of the bride’s family would alternately apply vermillion, or “Tilak,” to the groom’s forehead. Both families would exchange shagun, or gifts, such as dry fruits, saris, suits, and jewelry. It would be regarded as an unofficial announcement of an engagement and subsequent courtship even though no rings would be exchanged during the ceremony.

But today’s roka is no longer a simple ceremony. It’s become one of the biggest pre-wedding events for the bride and groom over the years, and it’s become a lavish, elaborate affair where both families declare their love to the world. A simple suit or sari will not do on this occasion. You need to dress beautifully and intricately so that you can stand out from the other guests and the crowd.

Finding the ideal Roka outfit doesn’t require going door to door. For the occasion, a variety of traditional and Indo-Western attire is available. But because one will need to move around a lot during the ceremony, it is always recommended to choose something that isn’t too glitzy or heavy. Today’s women dress for the ceremony in something casual yet fashionable.

Shagun is 101, not 100, so why?

Indian culture is perfect; it values giving others something that cannot be divided. Shagun’s interpretation of 101 or 11 rupees is that these sums cannot be split equally and that the recipients may enjoy their bounty without any claim to an equal share. Simply because the count starts at one, one predominates in daily life.

It dominates the scene unlike any other number, so let’s not forget that zero is the hero of all numbers and that life begins with one single cell. Being “number 1” can make or break any situation, whether it concerns work performance, life’s milestones, or even TV website ratings. The first time we fall in love, when we receive our first pay check, and when we become parents for the first time, we experience butterflies in our stomachs. Because we only have one life to live, here is an ode to this one and only number.

v Have you ever wondered why the Shagun envelope contains a one rupee coin? Shagun, also known as 11 or 101, denotes that the recipients of the bounty may enjoy it without having to worry about anyone else claiming an equal share.

One is the first number in the count, and it’s the number that gives life its fun. Despite the fact that it doesn’t rhyme, this song is so unique that any occasion or event that occurs for the first time automatically becomes memorable. Examples include your child’s first birthday, your first day of school, college, or the office, as well as your first trip abroad. The list is endless. Being that the Shagun in Indian culture is deemed incomplete without a rupee one in it, it must be a very special number.

Why is shagun worth an extra rupee?

Here are some of the explanations for why we include that extra one rupee coin in the shagun envelope: 1. The beginning and end are represented by the numbers “1” and “0,” respectively. So that the recipient doesn’t have to find a rupee coin, it is added.

Shagun money is available in the following denominations:

You can purchase it in any chosen denomination. g., 101, 501, 1100, 2100, 5100, 11000, or any other number you can think of. The Shagun card is loaded with many features, making it a more valuable and special gifting option.

What does Shagun mean in a Hindu marriage?

The bride’s father will go to the groom’s home during the Roka (or Shagun) ceremony. When he arrives, he will bless the couple by donning a tilak on the groom’s forehead and distributing gifts like candy, cash, and clothes. Cached.

 

Shagun (Sanga)

Shagun basically means good luck. It is given in different occasions most prominent in Newari culture to symbolize a healthy time. It is a normal practice in various religious and cultural rituals like during travels, weddings, birthdays, achievements etc.

A balance between five elements, earth, fire, wind, water and sky or space is regarded integral for human safety and prosperity. Shagun is given to make sure there is balance between these elements, which is integral for the happiness and safety. Items symbolizing these elements in different ways, namely, egg, fish, alcohol, water and fire are all present as a part of this ritual, creating the balance.
Lord Ganesh, regarded as the protector deity who removes obstructions from people’s lives is the central character of the ritual. Family and friends gather and present all items regarded important for good luck. There is Lord Ganesh, followed by a Mandala made with rice and colors, curd, duck’s egg, fish and alcohol.

Experts of the culture believe that it has expanded over the years resembling something more than good luck and has grown bigger into a festive occasion as a result of prosperity.

It is a practice involving many family members and relatives, eating and celebrating together.
Shagun intrigues some and is a way of life for others.

As an idea or a feeling, it is a practice that is a part of a very old and respected culture and still involves the humble idea of praying for an individual’s safety and prosperity. There is added splendor to the ritual but the idea remains and that is why it still holds its place in the culture.

What is Shagun?

Shagun is a word derived from Sanskrit, which means auspicious, good omen, or blessing.

Hinduism is a religious belief that originated centuries ago.

Hinduism bases itself on the Vedic scriptures, the Upanishads, and other textbooks.

The saints and rishis penned down these works several hundred years ago.

Hinduism has many rituals and beliefs associated with it.

It also highlights the importance of conducting extensive rituals for invoking the blessings of the divine entities.

Marriages play a crucial role in Hinduism.

It is a significant culture that emphasizes the union of two families and two people.

Hindu marriage rituals are elaborate ceremonies that would last for more than three days.

There are several pre-marriage rituals, post-marriage rituals, and rituals during the marriage ceremony.

Shagun is one such ceremony conducted as part of Hindu marriages. In the ancient days, the bride’s family provided Shagun to the groom and his family during an unplanned ceremony called Roka. During Roka, the groom’s family gives the bride a nose ring or any other heirloom in the family. It is a way of announcing the marriage ceremony in an unofficial manner.

After the groom’s family gifts a piece of jewelry to the bride, the bride’s family applies Tilak or Vermilion on the groom’s forehead.

It is after the application of Tilak the bride’s family offers Shagun. It would include mostly expensive gifts like jewelry, clothes, and other items like dry fruits, sweets, etc.

It is a way to confirm the marriage ceremony.

These events happen two to three weeks before the marriage. Though in the ancient days, it was a short and unplanned event.

Nowadays, many families organize Roka and Shagun as elaborate functions. The main reason for offering gifts or Shagun to the groom’s family is to announce their willingness to conduct the marriage ceremony.

It is a pre-marriage ritual organized before the engagement programs.

Hindus often offer Shagun as a part of other rituals, ceremonies, and festivals apart from that of marriages.

Guests and people invited for ceremonies as well as marriages also offer Shagun.

It is a sign of sharing their happiness and providing blessings to the people hosting the ceremony.

It is also a way of attaining blessings from divine entities.

Why do we provide one rupee coin along with the Shagun?:

You might have noticed that Indians, mostly Hindus, add a one rupee coin along with notes of other denominations like 50, 100, 200, 500, 2000 when they are offering gifts. We provide it as 51, 101, 201, 501, or 2001. We will give an additional one rupee along with the Shagun.

There are several reasons for offering one rupee coin along with the Shagun.

They include: 1. One is a number that is indivisible or cannot be divided by any other number. When we add one rupee along with our Shagun, it is a way of representing permanence. The relationship between the giver and the receiver would last long based on belief.

2. The additional one rupee is a way of offering hope to the receiver. It shows that the blessings would continue to shower in their lives.

3. Many consider Zero an inauspicious number. It is another reason why people add one rupee along with other denominations that end with zero.

4. In the ancient days, people provided silver, gold, or other metal coins as Shagun.

However, in the present era, everyone can’t offer coins made from these metals.

So, people provide one rupee coin, made from metal, as the Shagun.

 As metals come from the Earth, it is a sign of offering our respect to Goddess Lakshmi.

These are some of the reasons why people add one rupee coin along with the notes as Shagun. Apart from money, you can offer other different things as part of Shagun.

They can be clothes, pieces of gold or silver jewelry, etc.

Significance of offering Shagun: There are a plethora of significances associated with offering Shagun in Hinduism.

There aren’t any religious texts that illustrate the concept of Shagun.

However, it has been a part of Hindu rituals and practices for centuries.

It plays a pivotal role in marriage ceremonies, festivals, housewarming programs, etc.

Let us have a look at some of the significances of offering Shagun in Hinduism. 1. It is a way of bringing blessings and harmony to the lives of the people.

When you offer Shagun to a newly married couple, you are providing your prayers for them as they are entering into a new life.

2. As part of the belief system, some people believe that it is a debt meant to be paid back. It aids in the creation of a stronger bond between the giver and the receiver. Shagun is also an assurance of the giver and the receiver meeting again.

3. The offering of Shagun as part of the marriage ceremony is a way of announcing the marriage in an unofficial manner.

4. The items provided as part of the Shagun, especially coins, can invite the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. It is a way of embracing prosperity, wisdom, and happiness.

hese are some of the most relevant significances associated with the provision of Shagun.

It is also beneficial in attaining the blessings of the divine entities.

By offering Shagun, we are inviting good omens, happiness, and auspicious powers into our lives. It is always better to offer Shagun as a part of religious rituals, ceremonies, and programs.