Why is the garland worn at a wedding called Varmala, why not Vadhumala?

Varmala Name Story: You must have seen that there is a ritual in marriage, which is called Varmala. Do you know why this wedding garland is called Varmala, why not Vadhumala.

Whenever marriage takes place through Hindu customs, many traditions are followed. In these traditions, there is a program of 'Varmala'. In this program of 'Varmala', the bride and groom garland each other and this garland is called Varmala. Garland whether a boy or a girl wears it, it is called Varmala. In such a situation, have you ever wondered why this garland is called Varmala, why it is not called Vadhumala. Do you also know the answer to the question why this happens? 

Why is Varmala worn?

Actually, the concept of wearing Varmala is from acceptance. According to mythology, when a couple garlands each other, it means that the bride and groom have accepted each other. The meaning of garlanding each other is to show acceptance. Whenever there was a swayamvar too, when the girl used to choose her groom, she used to garland him, which means that she has chosen him. 

Why is it called Varmala?

Actually, the connection of Varmala is with choosing a boy on behalf of the girl. As in Ramayana, when Sita had chosen Lord Rama as her bridegroom, she wore a garland, from that this garland is called Varmala. Earlier girls used garlands to select their grooms and it got the name Varmala. Mythologist Devdutt Patnaik also tells in many of his videos that when a girl used to choose a groom for herself, she used to wear a garland, then it is called Varmala. However, now the garland which is worn by the boy also is called Varmala. 

In such a situation, the name Varmala is derived from the stories of a girl choosing a groom, although now some people also call it Jaimala. But, the story of Varmala is related to the husbands chosen in Swayamvar. Now it is celebrated as a big event and it is considered as acceptance of each other. 

Devdutt also tells in one of his articles that there is a ritual in Hinduism at the time of marriage, which is called water eclipse. Paani means hand. In this, a boy accepts the boy's hand and during that time the girl's father or someone else hands over the girl to them, which is called Kanyadan.