Months before the wedding an engagement ceremony, known as Mangni (in North
India) or Nischitartham (in South India), is held. The two families meet to perform rituals
to make the engagement official. A muhurat (auspicious date & time) for the wedding is
decided based on horoscopes. The couple is then blessed by elders of both families, and
is given gifts including jewelry and clothing by their new family. In certain traditions,
engagement is marked by the exchange of rings between the bride and groom to be.
Indian engagement ceremonies are very elaborate and vibrant, a sort of prequel to the
main wedding, involving close friends and relatives.