Why the bride is anointed with medicines for marriage in Nepal

In Nepal, anointing the bride at marriage is an ancient traditional custom. The custom stems from ancient Hindu beliefs that a bride is pure and innocent before marriage and may be defiled by her husband and family after marriage. Therefore, in order to protect the bride's purity, the family performs a ritual called "Chhaupadi" during the wedding ceremony, in which an herb called "Haritaki" is ground into a powder and applied to the bride's forehead, nose, lips and ears. ears.

The herb has an astringent effect and prevents the bride from losing her virginity after marriage. Haritaki is also believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits and protect the bride from evil forces. In some parts of Nepal, another ritual called "Sindoor" is performed at weddings, where a red powder is sprinkled on the bride's hair to symbolize blessings and good fortune.

However, as times have changed, this traditional practice has been questioned and criticized. Many people believe that this practice violates women's dignity and rights, and is discriminatory and insulting to women. In addition, this practice may also lead to some health problems, such as skin allergies and respiratory infections. Therefore, in recent years, more and more Nepalis have started reflecting on this traditional practice and calling for the abolition of this disrespectful female practice.

In short, the traditional custom of rubbing medicine on the bride for marriage in Nepal has its roots in ancient beliefs, but with the progress of the society and the change of concepts, this practice has attracted widespread attention and discussion. In the future, the marriage practices in Nepal may undergo more changes to suit the needs and values of the modern society.