The wedding day itself begins with the Baraat, the groom’s grand procession. Traditionally arriving on a decorated white horse or an elephant, the groom is accompanied by his family and friends who dance to the beat of a dhol (drum). Upon reaching the venue, the groom is greeted by the bride’s family in the Milni ceremony, symbolizing the formal meeting of the two clans.
Indian weddings are world-renowned for their grandeur, vibrant colors, and deep-rooted spiritual significance. Far from being a single-day event, an Indian wedding is a series of elaborate rituals that can last for nearly a week, uniting not just two individuals, but two families. While traditions vary significantly across different regions and religions, several core customs define the quintessential Indian wedding experience.
The definitive moment of a Hindu wedding is the Saptapadi, or the Seven Steps. The couple walks seven circles around a sacred fire (Agni), which serves as a divine witness to their union. Each step represents a specific vow: to provide for each other, to remain faithful, to share joys and sorrows, and to remain lifelong partners. Once the seventh step is completed, the couple is officially married.
Simultaneously, the Sangeet ceremony provides a platform for both families to mingle. Originally a female-only tradition, modern Sangeets are massive parties featuring choreographed dances, musical performances, and playful skits that tell the story of the couple’s journey. This is often followed by the Haldi ceremony, where a paste of turmeric, oil, and water is applied to the bride and groom’s skin. The turmeric is believed to provide a natural glow and bless the couple with prosperity and protection.
The heart of the religious ceremony takes place under a Mandap, a four-pillared canopy representing the four Vedas and the support of the parents. One of the most emotional moments is the Kanyadaan, where the father of the bride gives her away to the groom. This is followed by the Mangalsutra and Sindoor rituals, where the groom ties a sacred black-beaded necklace around the bride’s neck and applies red powder to the parting of her hair, marking her status as a married woman.
The festivities conclude with the Vidaai, a poignant ceremony where the bride bids a formal farewell to her childhood home. As she leaves, she throws handfuls of rice over her head, symbolizing that she is leaving behind a house of abundance and prosperity for her parents.
The wedding day itself begins with the Baraat, the groom’s grand procession. Traditionally arriving on a decorated white horse or an elephant, the groom is accompanied by his family and friends who dance to the beat of a dhol (drum). Upon reaching the venue, the groom is greeted by the bride’s family in the Milni ceremony, symbolizing the formal meeting of the two clans.
Indian weddings are world-renowned for their grandeur, vibrant colors, and deep-rooted spiritual significance. Far from being a single-day event, an Indian wedding is a series of elaborate rituals that can last for nearly a week, uniting not just two individuals, but two families. While traditions vary significantly across different regions and religions, several core customs define the quintessential Indian wedding experience.
The definitive moment of a Hindu wedding is the Saptapadi, or the Seven Steps. The couple walks seven circles around a sacred fire (Agni), which serves as a divine witness to their union. Each step represents a specific vow: to provide for each other, to remain faithful, to share joys and sorrows, and to remain lifelong partners. Once the seventh step is completed, the couple is officially married.
Simultaneously, the Sangeet ceremony provides a platform for both families to mingle. Originally a female-only tradition, modern Sangeets are massive parties featuring choreographed dances, musical performances, and playful skits that tell the story of the couple’s journey. This is often followed by the Haldi ceremony, where a paste of turmeric, oil, and water is applied to the bride and groom’s skin. The turmeric is believed to provide a natural glow and bless the couple with prosperity and protection.
The heart of the religious ceremony takes place under a Mandap, a four-pillared canopy representing the four Vedas and the support of the parents. One of the most emotional moments is the Kanyadaan, where the father of the bride gives her away to the groom. This is followed by the Mangalsutra and Sindoor rituals, where the groom ties a sacred black-beaded necklace around the bride’s neck and applies red powder to the parting of her hair, marking her status as a married woman.
The festivities conclude with the Vidaai, a poignant ceremony where the bride bids a formal farewell to her childhood home. As she leaves, she throws handfuls of rice over her head, symbolizing that she is leaving behind a house of abundance and prosperity for her parents.
Data Dictionary: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Cropland Data Layer
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
The following is a cross reference list of the categorization codes and land covers.
Note that not all land cover categories listed below will appear in an individual state.
Raster
Attribute Domain Values and Definitions: NO DATA, BACKGROUND 0
Categorization Code Land Cover
"0" Background
Raster
Attribute Domain Values and Definitions: CROPS 1-60
Categorization Code Land Cover
"1" Corn
"2" Cotton
"3" Rice
"4" Sorghum
"5" Soybeans
"6" Sunflower
"10" Peanuts
"11" Tobacco
"12" Sweet Corn
"13" Pop or Orn Corn
"14" Mint
"21" Barley
"22" Durum Wheat
"23" Spring Wheat
"24" Winter Wheat
"25" Other Small Grains
"26" Dbl Crop WinWht/Soybeans
"27" Rye
"28" Oats
"29" Millet
"30" Speltz
"31" Canola
"32" Flaxseed
"33" Safflower
"34" Rape Seed
"35" Mustard
"36" Alfalfa
"37" Other Hay/Non Alfalfa
"38" Camelina
"39" Buckwheat
"41" Sugarbeets
"42" Dry Beans
"43" Potatoes
"44" Other Crops
"45" Sugarcane
"46" Sweet Potatoes
"47" Misc Vegs & Fruits
"48" Watermelons
"49" Onions
"50" Cucumbers
"51" Chick Peas
"52" Lentils
"53" Peas
"54" Tomatoes
"55" Caneberries
"56" Hops
"57" Herbs
"58" Clover/Wildflowers
"59" Sod/Grass Seed
"60" Switchgrass
Raster
Attribute Domain Values and Definitions: NON-CROP 61-65
Categorization Code Land Cover
"61" Fallow/Idle Cropland
"62" Pasture/Grass
"63" Forest
"64" Shrubland
"65" Barren
Raster
Attribute Domain Values and Definitions: CROPS 66-80
Categorization Code Land Cover
"66" Cherries
"67" Peaches
"68" Apples
"69" Grapes
"70" Christmas Trees
"71" Other Tree Crops
"72" Citrus
"74" Pecans
"75" Almonds
"76" Walnuts
"77" Pears
Raster
Attribute Domain Values and Definitions: OTHER 81-109
Categorization Code Land Cover
"81" Clouds/No Data
"82" Developed
"83" Water
"87" Wetlands
"88" Nonag/Undefined
"92" Aquaculture
Raster
Attribute Domain Values and Definitions: NLCD-DERIVED CLASSES 110-195
Categorization Code Land Cover
"111" Open Water
"112" Perennial Ice/Snow
"121" Developed/Open Space
"122" Developed/Low Intensity
"123" Developed/Med Intensity
"124" Developed/High Intensity
"131" Barren
"141" Deciduous Forest
"142" Evergreen Forest
"143" Mixed Forest
"152" Shrubland
"176" Grassland/Pasture
"190" Woody Wetlands
"195" Herbaceous Wetlands
Raster
Attribute Domain Values and Definitions: CROPS 195-255
Categorization Code Land Cover
"204" Pistachios
"205" Triticale
"206" Carrots
"207" Asparagus
"208" Garlic
"209" Cantaloupes
"210" Prunes
"211" Olives
"212" Oranges
"213" Honeydew Melons
"214" Broccoli
"215" Avocados
"216" Peppers
"217" Pomegranates
"218" Nectarines
"219" Greens
"220" Plums
"221" Strawberries
"222" Squash
"223" Apricots
"224" Vetch
"225" Dbl Crop WinWht/Corn
"226" Dbl Crop Oats/Corn
"227" Lettuce
"228" Dbl Crop Triticale/Corn
"229" Pumpkins
"230" Dbl Crop Lettuce/Durum Wht
"231" Dbl Crop Lettuce/Cantaloupe
"232" Dbl Crop Lettuce/Cotton
"233" Dbl Crop Lettuce/Barley
"234" Dbl Crop Durum Wht/Sorghum
"235" Dbl Crop Barley/Sorghum
"236" Dbl Crop WinWht/Sorghum
"237" Dbl Crop Barley/Corn
"238" Dbl Crop WinWht/Cotton
"239" Dbl Crop Soybeans/Cotton
"240" Dbl Crop Soybeans/Oats
"241" Dbl Crop Corn/Soybeans
"242" Blueberries
"243" Cabbage
"244" Cauliflower
"245" Celery
"246" Radishes
"247" Turnips
"248" Eggplants
"249" Gourds
"250" Cranberries
"254" Dbl Crop Barley/Soybeans