India is a land of diversity. The diversity in traditions adds to the richness of the culture. This is expressed in performing the nuptial rites.

The nikah-nama or the marriage contract is made upon the consent of both the girl's and boy's parties, which is called 'ijab' and 'qabul' i.e., declaration and acceptance. The celebration of the marriage contract is called nikaah.

A day prior to wedding ceremony, mehndi is sent to bride's house for the bride to color her hands and feet. On the wedding day the groom comes to the bride's house with all the pomp and show in a procession or 'barat'.

The ceremony is left entirely to the discretion of the Qazi or priest who performs the wedding. He appoints two men as witnesses on the groom's behalf, to receive orders for the nikah from the bride's family. The amount of mehr/dower of no less than ten dirhams, is to be settled upon the bride by the elders of the two families. The qazi asks the bride if she has agreed to marry the groom and on her consent reads the marriage contract to the groom. He then takes the groom's confirmation. Then the groom, bride and the two witnesses sign the marriage document.

After the nikaah the groom is taken to the zenana (ladies' section). There he takes the blessings of the elder women. The groom stays overnight at the girl's house and in the morning, the boy's family take the newly wed couple to their home. During the rukshat/farewell, the father of the bride gives her hand to her husband and asks him to protect her always.