The Hindu Marriage Ceremony

Rich in tradition and cultural significance, a Hindu wedding ceremony is an elaborate, religious occasion built on over 4000 years of tradition. Hindu weddings bring together families and friends in large numbers to celebrate this milestone in the lives of their loved ones. Lagna (a word from Sanskrit, the ancient language of India) is the Hindu sacrament of marriage that symbolizes the union of two souls. Through each other, the bride and groom fulfill their Dharma (duty), attaining physical, emotional, and spiritual completion. Marriage symbolizes the harmonizing of all the elements of nature of the cosmos and all the planets. The ceremony of the Hindu marriage establishes an eternal bond between husband and wife and also between their respective families.

Var Agaman (Welcoming the Groom)

The arrival of the groom's party at the wedding hall begins the wedding ceremony. The groom is formally received by the bride's mother and is led to the Mandap (bridal altar), by the bride's family.

Kanya Agaman & Mangalashtak (Arrival of the Bride)

The bride is led to the mandap by her maternal uncles while Mangalashtak (mantras) are chanted to seek the blessings of the gods. The groom awaits his bride behind the Antarpata (white curtain), which signifies that the couple should avoid all barriers which may separate them during their life together. Then the bride and groom offer garlands to each other, symbolizing acceptance of each other for the wedding.

Ganesh Puja (Prayer to Lord Ganapathi)

Lord Ganesh is traditionally worshipped at all auspicious occasions because he represents wisdom and is the destroyer of all barriers. During this ceremony, blessings from Lord Ganesh are invoked for success, peace, and a happy blissful life for the bride and groom.

Var Kanya Gotra Char (Public Statement of Family Names)

The priest, symbolizing the union of two families, announces the names of the parents of the groom and the bride.

Var Mala (Holy Thread Ceremony)

The priest, accompanied by the bride's parents, hold a loop of white raw cotton thread as he recites mantras to spiritually energize the holy thread. Thereafter, the holy thread is placed around the shoulders of both the bride and the groom signifying a life long sacred union.

Vastra Ganthi (Tying the Knot)

A knot is tied between the bride's chunni (scarf) and the groom's cloth piece signifying unity of the couple.

Hasta Melap & Kanyadaan (Union of Two Souls and Giving Away the Bride)

After the bride has been seated in the Mandap, the priest will join the couple's hands. In this ceremony, Hasta Melap, the bride's right hand is placed on the groom's right hand as sacred verses are chanted for the stability and longevity of their married life. In offering the bride's hand, the parents of the bride give their daughter away in the ceremony called Kanyadaan. According to the Hindu scriptures, no gift is greater than the giving away of the daughter in marriage. The bride's parents bless the marriage by praying that the couple be given strength, a blessed union, and that they will be purified for their new life. The couple then exchanges garlands, which symbolize the unification of their hearts, minds and souls.

Swasti Vachan (Blessings)

The parents of the bride hold Poornakumbh (kalesh), and the priest invokes blessings for the parents and the couple.

Mangal Fera (Walking Around the Fire)

The couple, while holding hands, circles the sacred fire four times offering grains to Lord Agni, who witnesses and blessings the marital union. The groom takes lead in the first three rounds and for the final round, the bride walks in front of the groom. For each round, the brother of the bride places grains in her hand to be offered to Lord Agni for bountiful life. Each circle symbolizes the basic human goals of Dharma (duty), Artha (prosperity), Karma (love and family), and Moksha (spiritual liberation).

Saptapadi (Taking Wedding Vows)

According to Hindu religion, you become friends if you walk seven steps together. Since friendship is vital to marriage, the bride and groom take seven steps together symbolizing the beginning of their journey through life together. The steps are taken over seven small piles of rice representing seven immovable mountains. Each step reflects the following vows:

1. We join our hearts, minds, and souls.
2. We will share our lives and care for our families, support each other's hopes, dreams and aspirations and will provide comfort and peace to each other.
3. We will always love each other unconditionally and live joyously.
4. We will travel this journey of life with love and trust, overcoming all of life's challenges.
5. We will seek education and knowledge together, and work for the well-being and happiness of others around us.
6. We will work together towards a better future, supporting our marriage throughout its triumphs and trials.
7. We will share our values, respect each other's needs, and care for each other.

Sindhoor Dharan and Mangal Sutra (Sacred Necklace)

The groom, as a symbol of auspiciousness, applies red vermillion powder at the parting of the bride's hair. This is followed by the groom placing a Mangal Sutra (sacred necklace) around the neck of the new bride.

Kansar (The First Meal Together)

The bride and groom feed each other traditional sweets four times for the nourishment of their bodies, minds, and hearts. The bride's mother feeds the Groom as a symbol of affection and the acceptance as her son.

Jala Sinchen, Surya Darshan, and Dhruva Darshan (Sprinkling of Holy Water)

Holy water is sprinkled on the bride and the groom for peace and calmness. They pray for happiness and long life.

Aashirvaad (Blessings)

Before the newlyweds leave the Mandap, the priest blesses the couple on behalf of the Gods with wishes of everlasting happiness. The couple then seeks the Aashirvaad (blessings) from their families. Several ladies from the bride's family bless her by whispering Saubhagyawati, eternal blessings in marriage.

Vidaai (Bride's Farewell)

This is a touching and emotional farewell to the bride. The bride's parents, siblings, relatives, and friends are all bidding the bride farewell. She leaves with tears of joy and sorrow to build a new life with her husband, and carries all the blessings and well wishes from those who witnessed her wedding ceremony.