Wedding mandap

thumb|right|Bride and groom as a royal couple under the mandap
A wedding mandap (विवाह मंडप, लग्नमण्डप) is a mandap (covered structure with pillars) temporarily erected Rituals & Customs of a Hindu Wedding: Design & Planning Guide by Kavita Kapoorfor the purpose of a Hindu or Jain wedding. The main wedding ceremonies take place under the mandap. 
It is traditionally made of wood, although now modern materials are sometimes used विवाह मंडप नए रूप में http://hindi.webdunia.com/miscellaneous/woman/articles/0903/02/1090302110_1.htm. It often comes as a set that includes pillars supporting a frame, royal chairs for the bride and the groom, side chairs for parents and a pedestal for the sacred fire.
It is often rented from businesses that specialize in renting items for an Indian wedding. Its use is common even among overseas IndiansMarrying East and West 
From Henna to Horses, Hindu Wedding Traditions Call for Specialized Help http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40091-2004May19.html.
Use of a mandap is an ancient custom and is described in texts like Ramacharitamanas Balkand, 320 and various Sanskrit texts.
जेहिं मंडप दुलहिनि बैदेही । 
सो बरनै असि मति कबि केही ॥२॥ 
The bride is often escorted to the mandap by her maternal uncleA Maharashtrian marriage http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19990202/ile02185.html.
==Decorations==
Traditionally, the wedding mandap is decorated using kalashas (pots filed with water), garlands of mango leaves, coconuts, banana leaves etc.
==See also==
* Arranged marriages in India
* Babul
* Indian wedding photography
==References==
Category:Wedding
Category:Hindu marriage
fr:Mariage dans la tradition hindoue