Kanyadana
The rite in which the bride's father places her hand in the groom's.
Also: kanyadan, kanya dan, giving of the daughter
Kanyadaan means the gift of a daughter. In many Hindu weddings the bride's father, or an uncle or brother, places her hand in the groom's hand, pours water and offers a blessing, asking the groom to protect and respect her. It is one of the most emotional moments, and the rite is old enough to be described in Sanskrit texts. Some modern families and many women have questioned the idea of giving a person as a gift, and so alter it: both parents may give her away, or the rite is left out or renamed.
Region: South Asia