Swagatam- Welcoming Groom & his family
The "Baaraat" (Groom's party) , the singing and dancing procession of the groom and his family, reaches the wedding venue. The bride’s family welcomes them with Aarati (Plate of lit Lamp) and sweets, as a symbol of happiness and good things to come and escort them to the wedding area.
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Shri Ganesh Prayers & Poonyah - Vachanam
After all are seated, we start the ceremony with prayers to Lord Ganesh to bless this occasion and make the marriage ceremony free of obstacles. We solicit the blessings of elders and our forefathers, and pray for this to be an auspicious day for the marriage ceremony.
After all are seated, we start the ceremony with prayers to Lord Ganesh to bless this occasion and make the marriage ceremony free of obstacles. We solicit the blessings of elders and our forefathers, and pray for this to be an auspicious day for the marriage ceremony.
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Vadhu Aagman – Arrival of the Bride
Bride is brought to the "mandap" (wedding area) typically by Brides family and bridesmaids.
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JaiMaal - Exchange of Garland
Here the Priest explains the objectives of the Vivaah Sanskar (marriage) and then they propose to marry each other .
According to Hindu philosophy, a successful life requires the pursuit of Artha, Kama, Dharma and Moksha.
- Artha is acquiring wealth and security for your family.
- Kaam is enjoying your natural desires.
- Dharma is doing your righteous duty.
- Moksha is a spiritual journey towards Self Realization.
Thus, by committing to Artha, Kaam and Dharma and following a spiritual life, you will bring stability, continuity, prosperity and happiness, not only to your lives but to the society and future generations as well. The Grihastha-ashram (Married Life) you are about to enter, is the real backbone of all Societies.
After the Mangal-mantras (Holy Hymns) are recited, Bride and Groom garland each other, indicating their mutual approval to proceed with the ceremony. This way they declare ," Let all the learned persons present here know, we are accepting each other willingly, voluntarily and pleasantly. Our hearts are concordant and united like waters."
After the Mangal-mantras (Holy Hymns) are recited, Bride and Groom garland each other, indicating their mutual approval to proceed with the ceremony. This way they declare ," Let all the learned persons present here know, we are accepting each other willingly, voluntarily and pleasantly. Our hearts are concordant and united like waters."
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Kannyadaan - Giving Away the Bride
In the Hindu marriage (Bramha vivah), this step is considered one of the most important acts (steps). Here bride’s parents join bride’s hands with groom’s hands in marriage. The basis for the act is that there is a divine belief that on the wedding date the bride is a form of Goddess Laxmi and the groom is a form of Lord Vishnu.
This act of bride’s parents is considered one of their noblest acts and gifts of their lifetime as
- It makes them facilitators for the divine activity of joining the hands of Goddesses and God
- It symbolizes the continuity of life and passes the family heritage to the next generation making it a noblest gift,
- It repays the debts to their forefathers
Bride and Groom then commit to remain faithful to each other, while pursuing Dharma, Artha and Kama. Bride’s mother pours holy water on bride’s father’s palms, which flows into Groom’s and then into Bride’s palms, symbolizing the continuity of life, repaying the debt to their forefathers and the passing of the family heritage to the next generation.
Bride's parents:
Today, the bride is Laxmi and the groom is Vishnu. By joining their hands in marriage, we will repay the debt to our forefathers by continuing the next life cycle.
Bride and Groom to each other:
While pursuing Dharma, Artha and Kama, I will always remain faithful to you.
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Akshat-Ropanam & Panigrahanam (Hastmelap) - Expectations from Married Life
The Bride and the Groom communicate their expectations of married life and show their consent by showering rice on each other. Bride requests his support for a healthy and prosperous family life. Groom requests her support in pursuing Dharma and for her cooperation in his various endeavors for a successful life. They accept each other’s hands with blessings of Heavenly Gods with a promise to stay together for the rest of their lives, symbolically tying each other’s wrists with sacred thread which is called Sutrabandhanam.
I take thy hand in mine, yearning for happiness
I ask thee, to live with me, till both of us, with age, grow old
Know this, as I declare, that the Gods have bestowed thy person, upon me
That I may fulfill, my Dharma of the householder, with thee !
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Gath Bandhan (Tying of the Nuptial Knot)
Here the groom's sister usually ties the end of his scarf to the bride's sari with betel nuts, copper coins,and rice.These items symbolize unity, prosperity, and happiness for the couple. The knot specifically is meant to represent the eternal bond that comes with marriage.This signifies their pledge before the God to love each other and remain faithful.
Vivaah Homa is the start of the married life for the couple. The couple lights the Agni, the holy fire that symbolizes light, power and knowledge, and acts as a witness to the ceremony. Bride and Groom repeat the sacred pledge of marriage and request Agni to be the messenger for their prayers to various Gods, for Santati (children), Sampatti (wealth & prosperity) and Deergharogya (long & healthy lives).
They circle the sacred fire four times, starting their transition into married life, supported by Bride’s brother, as her lifelong supporter. As they circle the fire, Groom poetically describes to Bride their complementary relationship.
I am the sky, you are the earth. I am the thought, you are the speech. I am the fire and you are the fuel. I am the song, you are the verse;I am the ocean, you are the shore. I am the strength but you are the beauty. I am the Purush, and you are my Prakriti.
Let us live together lovingly & bring up our progeny. Let us lead a joyful life of a hundred years. Please ascend this stone and be as firm throughout our married life.
After the Agni Pradakshina, the Bride moves to the left side of the Groom; indicating her transition to the Groom’s family.
Sapta-padi – Taking the Marriage Vows with Seven Steps
The couple takes seven steps together to reiterate their aspirations of their married life.
- To respect and honor each other.
- To trust and be loyal to each other.
- To provide and support for each other.
- To develop mental , physical and spiritual strength.
- To share each other's joy and sorrow and worldly possessions.
- To follow principles of Dharma (righteousness).
- To nurture an eternal bond of friendship and love.
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Sindoor Daan -Vermilion
The groom applies vermilion (Sindoor), a pinch of red powder to the bride's forehead and welcomes her as his partner for life.It is applied for the first time to a woman during the marriage ceremony when the bridegroom himself adorns her with it.
The groom applies vermilion (Sindoor), a pinch of red powder to the bride's forehead and welcomes her as his partner for life.It is applied for the first time to a woman during the marriage ceremony when the bridegroom himself adorns her with it.
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Dholna-bandhanam – Necklace
Groom adorns Bride’s neck with the Mangalsutra, a necklace symbolizing good luck, love and friendship. Groom applies kumkum on Bride’s forehead, now as a Soubhagyavati. Bride applies chandan tilak on Groom’s forehead, now as a Grahastha. With the wedding ring exchange, they commit to support each other, in good times and bad times, in happiness and sorrow, with unending love. They are joined together in a marriage knot by the Groom’s sister or mother, as a symbol of their permanent bond ==================================================================
Ghungta (Veil) ritual and gifts to the bride
Covering the head during a wedding is a mark of respect to the deities worshiped and the elders present . The ghunghat , which is equivalent to the veil of the Christian bride, is worn by the bride. Here the groom's older brother or the groom's father or duo adorn the bride with jewelry, dresses and other gifts. With head covered in handkerchief or big cap, the duo bless the bride. A small ritual is also followed where the groom's older brother (or father) and the groom stand in front of and behind the sitting bride respectively. While the groom in one step tries to unveil the bride, the groom's elder tries to veil the bride in the next step of the ritual. This process is repeated five times.In a way the groom's elder symbolizes himself as the bride's savior in time of difficulties. After this ritual, other relatives from both the sides bless the bride with gifts.
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Ashirvad – Blessings
Ashirvad – Blessings
We all offer our blessings to the couple for long and happy lives together. After being declared as Husband and Wife, Groom and Bride bow to all invited guests and leave the mandap as a newly married couple as the guests shower them with flower petals.
May you fully support each other, in the journey of your life!
Let your lives be one, one soul residing in two bodies.
May your lives be woven together, with a strong fabric of, love, harmony and peace!
Lead a full life of joy, with family, friends and children!
May God bless you!
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Post-Marriage Program
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New Bride Welcome
This is the formal welcome of the bride by the groom's parents to their home. The bride pushes a pot full of grains on the threshold with her right foot suggesting that, with her entrance, her new home be filled with wealth and prosperity. Then, the newly married couple performs Shri Ganesh and Mahalaxmi poojas followed by Griha Yadnya.
Saptarshi- Dhruv Prarthana:
At appropriate time at night, the groom shows the seven sages in the sky (Big Dipper) to the bride and asks for their blessings, especially those of Vashistha-Arundhati pair which appear so close together. Then, he also tells the bride to be as stable and steady as the North Star.
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