21 February, 2025
Making a traditional mandap setup wheelchair-friendly – tips?
Hi all! We’re in the early design stages for our Hindu ceremony and are prioritizing accessibility since my grandfather uses a wheelchair and my partner’s cousin does too. Has anyone here made a mandap setup wheelchair-friendly without compromising the traditional look? We’re working with a local decorator who’s open to ideas but not super familiar with ADA-type adaptations. I’d love to hear what worked for others (ramp styles, space between pillars, flooring, etc.) or even ideas you wish you'd done in hindsight. Photos welcome!! Thank you in advance for any insight! 🙏
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Radhika D
21 Feb 2025
I love that you’re being so intentional. We added a hidden side ramp covered in matching cloth for my nani to roll in easily and made sure the aisle was slightly wider. No steps, and floral border instead of a low platform.
Rachel J
21 Feb 2025
You deff should check out some pics from my cousin’s wedding—we had a floor-level mandap (like just raised 1 inch) and added cushioned mat flooring that didn’t catch wheels. It still looked GORGEOUS!!
Anonymous
21 Feb 2025
We asked our priest ahead of time if he could shift positions so the wheelchair didn’t have to be spun around awkwardly during rituals. He was very understanding. Just a suggestion to think of the ceremony flow itself!
Anonymous
23 Feb 2025
As a decorator, I often tell my clients that accessibility doesn’t mean losing tradition. Use open-front mandap frames (no base box), soft carpet tiles underneath, and drape the ramp in the same fabric as your aisle runner for consistency.
Simran K (OP)
24 Feb 2025
@Rachel and @Radhika THANK YOU. Definitely leaning toward a very low mandap base now and talking to my decorator about integrated ramp options 🙌 @Anonymous, so helpful to hear—will speak to our priest ahead of time for sure.
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