Hindu Wedding
The Hindu Wedding Ceremony
According tot he Hindu culture, marriage is meant to unite two souls so firmly that after marriage, although their bodies remain separate, their souls merge and become harmonious and spiritually untied. The ceremony is performed before a sacred fire (Agni) which is the eternal witness of the marriage and all vows taken. The ceremony is conducted by a Maharaj (priest) who chants vedic mantras in Sanskrit. The following is an account of the symbolism and meaning behind the vows that the Bride and Groom will pledge to one another today.
SUSWAGATAM (Welscoming of the Groom)
Groom arrives for he wedding in a procession of music and dancing accompanied by his family and friends. Upon his arrival, bride’s mother performs a welcoming ceremony to bless groom. He is then accompanied by bride’s parents to the Mandap (Hindu ceremonial wedding altar). Bride’s parents wash grooms’ right foot with five auspicious liquids: milk, curd, ghee (clarified butter), sugar and honey. They also bless him by placing a tilak-chandlo (red dot) on his forehead, which is meant to touch the spirit of God within groom.
GANESH PUJA
The Maharaj chants prayers to Lord Ganesh (the God of peace, truth, friendship, and happiness) for his presence and blessings. He requests the removal of all obstacles that may arise during the wedding ceremony and in future married life.
KANYA AGAMAN (ARRIVAL OF THE BRIDE)
An antar patt (veil) is held in front of groom by members from both families to signify that they are still separate individuals. bride is escorted to the Mandap by her maternal uncle (Mama) and is seated across from groom. The antar patt, symbolizing the physical world that separates them is removed, and groom sees bride for the first time as a bride.
KANYA DANAM (Giving away of the Bride)
In the Hindu culture, the giving away of the kanya (daughter) in marriage is the most precious dan (gift) that a father and mother can give to the groom. Bride’s parents place her hands into grooms’ hands and pour holy water over them to symbolize giving their daughter away.
HASTAMELAP (Joining of hands)
Brides’ right hand is placed in grooms right hand symbolizing grooms acceptance of his responsibility to love, respect, and protect her forever. Bride and groom declare that their hearts are united by God. They have now become one and will love and remain
devoted to each other.
MALA-ARPAN (Exchange of garlands)
Bride and Groom exchange flower garlands to welcome one another into each other’s lives. The exchange of flowers symbolizes respect and love for one another.
VAR MALA AND LAGNA GRANTHI (Sacred Wedding Knot)
Bride and groom are encircled with the thread mala (a sacred thread) symbolizing the good fortune of the bond of marriage land blessings for a long and happy life together. A portion of bride’s wedding sari and grooms’ khes (scarf) are tied together by the Maharaj, representing their unity ind the presence of God, Agni (fire), families, and friends.
MANGAL FERA (Circling the Holy Fire)
bride and groom, holding hands, walk around the holy fire four times, each time exchanging vows and offering prayers to give them joy and keep away adversity. brides’ brother gives them sesame seeds and barley as a symbol of good luck and love before starting each round. The four rounds mark their commitment to live according to Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (family and happiness), and Moksha (spiritual enlightenment). groom will lead int he first three rounds and bride will lead the final round.
SAPTAPADI (The Seven steps of Marriage Vows)
Bride and groom take seven steps together; each one representing the sacred vows they are making to each other:
KANSAR BHAKSHA
bride’s mother brings the couple sweets. bride and groom feed each other four times, signifying their pledge of love and the sweetness of married life.
AKHAND SAUBHAGYAVATI
Married women from bride and groom’s families come and whisper in bride’s right ear Akhand Saubhagyavati (good wishes and advice) to bring the couple good luck, prosperity, and a long happy life together.
MANGAL SUTRA and SINDOOR DHAAN
(The Symbol of a Married Woman)
grooms’ mother ties the Mangal Sutra (sacred necklace) around the neck of the bride wishing her a long and happy life with her son. Groom then places Sindoor (red powder) on brides’ forehead int he parting of her hair as a blessing for a long and happy marriage.
AASHIRVAAD (Shower of Blessings)
The Maharaj blesses bride and groom on behalf of the Gods, with wishes for everlasting happiness followed by blessings from bride and grooms’ parents.
KANYA VIDAI (Bride’s farewell)
The wedding ceremony is completed with the departure of the bride and groom (Vidai). bride is leaving her parents’ home to build a new life with groom. bride leaves with tears of oy and sorrow, but carries with her the very best wishes of her parents, family, friends, and all who witnessed her and groom’s Vivah Sanakar (wedding ceremony).
According tot he Hindu culture, marriage is meant to unite two souls so firmly that after marriage, although their bodies remain separate, their souls merge and become harmonious and spiritually untied. The ceremony is performed before a sacred fire (Agni) which is the eternal witness of the marriage and all vows taken. The ceremony is conducted by a Maharaj (priest) who chants vedic mantras in Sanskrit. The following is an account of the symbolism and meaning behind the vows that the Bride and Groom will pledge to one another today.
SUSWAGATAM (Welscoming of the Groom)
Groom arrives for he wedding in a procession of music and dancing accompanied by his family and friends. Upon his arrival, bride’s mother performs a welcoming ceremony to bless groom. He is then accompanied by bride’s parents to the Mandap (Hindu ceremonial wedding altar). Bride’s parents wash grooms’ right foot with five auspicious liquids: milk, curd, ghee (clarified butter), sugar and honey. They also bless him by placing a tilak-chandlo (red dot) on his forehead, which is meant to touch the spirit of God within groom.
GANESH PUJA
The Maharaj chants prayers to Lord Ganesh (the God of peace, truth, friendship, and happiness) for his presence and blessings. He requests the removal of all obstacles that may arise during the wedding ceremony and in future married life.
KANYA AGAMAN (ARRIVAL OF THE BRIDE)
An antar patt (veil) is held in front of groom by members from both families to signify that they are still separate individuals. bride is escorted to the Mandap by her maternal uncle (Mama) and is seated across from groom. The antar patt, symbolizing the physical world that separates them is removed, and groom sees bride for the first time as a bride.
KANYA DANAM (Giving away of the Bride)
In the Hindu culture, the giving away of the kanya (daughter) in marriage is the most precious dan (gift) that a father and mother can give to the groom. Bride’s parents place her hands into grooms’ hands and pour holy water over them to symbolize giving their daughter away.
HASTAMELAP (Joining of hands)
Brides’ right hand is placed in grooms right hand symbolizing grooms acceptance of his responsibility to love, respect, and protect her forever. Bride and groom declare that their hearts are united by God. They have now become one and will love and remain
devoted to each other.
MALA-ARPAN (Exchange of garlands)
Bride and Groom exchange flower garlands to welcome one another into each other’s lives. The exchange of flowers symbolizes respect and love for one another.
VAR MALA AND LAGNA GRANTHI (Sacred Wedding Knot)
Bride and groom are encircled with the thread mala (a sacred thread) symbolizing the good fortune of the bond of marriage land blessings for a long and happy life together. A portion of bride’s wedding sari and grooms’ khes (scarf) are tied together by the Maharaj, representing their unity ind the presence of God, Agni (fire), families, and friends.
MANGAL FERA (Circling the Holy Fire)
bride and groom, holding hands, walk around the holy fire four times, each time exchanging vows and offering prayers to give them joy and keep away adversity. brides’ brother gives them sesame seeds and barley as a symbol of good luck and love before starting each round. The four rounds mark their commitment to live according to Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (family and happiness), and Moksha (spiritual enlightenment). groom will lead int he first three rounds and bride will lead the final round.
SAPTAPADI (The Seven steps of Marriage Vows)
Bride and groom take seven steps together; each one representing the sacred vows they are making to each other:
- To respect each other
- To care for each other
- To be patient with each other
- To be honest and faithful to each other
- To remain together in sorrow and in happiness
- To travel the journey of life with love and harmony
- To do everything to keep their family happy, healthy, and strong
KANSAR BHAKSHA
bride’s mother brings the couple sweets. bride and groom feed each other four times, signifying their pledge of love and the sweetness of married life.
AKHAND SAUBHAGYAVATI
Married women from bride and groom’s families come and whisper in bride’s right ear Akhand Saubhagyavati (good wishes and advice) to bring the couple good luck, prosperity, and a long happy life together.
MANGAL SUTRA and SINDOOR DHAAN
(The Symbol of a Married Woman)
grooms’ mother ties the Mangal Sutra (sacred necklace) around the neck of the bride wishing her a long and happy life with her son. Groom then places Sindoor (red powder) on brides’ forehead int he parting of her hair as a blessing for a long and happy marriage.
AASHIRVAAD (Shower of Blessings)
The Maharaj blesses bride and groom on behalf of the Gods, with wishes for everlasting happiness followed by blessings from bride and grooms’ parents.
KANYA VIDAI (Bride’s farewell)
The wedding ceremony is completed with the departure of the bride and groom (Vidai). bride is leaving her parents’ home to build a new life with groom. bride leaves with tears of oy and sorrow, but carries with her the very best wishes of her parents, family, friends, and all who witnessed her and groom’s Vivah Sanakar (wedding ceremony).