Hindu Wedding Ceremony

Introduction

The tradition Vedic wedding ceremony is about four thousand years old. The ceremony is a religious occasion solemnized in accordance with the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of the Hindus. It is a collection of rituals performed by the bride’s parents. Each steps in the ceremony has symbolic philosophical and spiritual meaning. The Maharaj (priest) conducts the ceremony by chanting Mantras (bridal altar). The ceremony is performed in Sanskrit, the most ancient surviving language.
Lagna, the marriage, is performed to unite two souls so firmly that after marriage although their bodied remain separate, their souls merge and become harmonious. They become spiritually one.

Swagatam
(Welcoming the Groom)

Jay arrives amid much celebration with his family and friends at the doorsteps. Hiral’s mother welcomes Jay and asks him if is prepared to make the life long commitment and is ready to deal with the bittersweet experience that marriage will present in the future. He is then asked to brake a clay pot filled with curd, honey, ghee (clarified butter) and cottonseeds. The clay pot represent the world and the materials symbolize the different experience he will encounter in the journey of life ahead. Hiral’s mother then leads him to the Mandap (bridal altar) where the wedding ceremony will take place.


Ganesh Puja, Kalash and Navagraha
(Invocation to Lord Ganesh)
The wedding ceremony begins with the worship of lord ganesh, the remover of all obstacles. Hiral’s parents attend the ceremony with jay, and the Maharaj (Priest) guides the rituals. The kalash (pot) contains sacred waters with coconut and flowers symbolizing the universe. Prayers are rendered to the kalash. This portion of the ceremony represents the worship of five basic elements; earth, air, fire, water and sky. The Navagraha (the nine planets of the solar system) are involved for their blessing.


Kanyagaman And Manglashtak
Hiral is brought to the Mandap by her maternal uncle(kanyagaman).A white curtain, antarpata ( a symbol of traditional barriers) is held between the couple. The bride’s relative (Mangalashtak) chant blessings. The curtain is then removed and Hiral and Jay exchange garlands.



Madhuparka, Kanyadaan, and Hastamelap
(Giving Away of the bride and joining of the Hands)
Hiral’s father offers jay ghee and curds, symbolizing purity and sweerness (Mudhuparkat). In this portion of the ceremony knows as kanyadaan, Hiral’s father gives away his daughter to jay, who gracefully accepts her. Hiral’s parent s bestow acceptance of each other.

Hiral and jay unite by the rituals called Hatamelap ( th emeaning of the hands) The ends of their scarves are tied together( granthbandhan) with beetal nuts, copper coins, and rice signifying unity, prosperity, and happiness. The couple is advised to: remember the divine; look upon others with sympathy, love and compassion; be strong and righteous; and show good will and affection towards each other’s families; bring up the children so that they are religious and strong in body and mind; and always welcome and respect guests. Such are the boundaries prescribed by Dharma (the right way).


Agni Poojan
(Lighting of the Fire)
A small fire is lit. Offering are made by Hiral and jay to the goddess of fire (Agni). Crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar, rice, ghee, camphor, and twigs are placed into the fire invoking God’s blessing (Homa). These prayers have a special importance for it is agni who dispels the darkness and ignorance from our lives and leads us to eternal light and knowledge.

Mangal Fera
(Holy steps around the sacred fire)
Naimish gives rice to his sister so that she may offer it to god. Now the couple jointly takes the following four vows as they circle the scared fire., seeking the four basic goals of human life. The groom leads the bride in the first three round.
Groom; I shall lead us on the path of Dharma (righteous). I shall lead us towards Artha (prosperity) and fulfillment of our dreams). I shall lead us towards Kama (energy and passion in life)
The bride leads the groom in the fourth round.
Bride: I shall lead us towards the attainment of Moksha (salvation)

Saptapadi and Saptapratigna
Together the couple walks saptapadi (the seven steps 0 of life . they take seven steps towards the fire, which represents the following:
1. Together we will share in the responsibilities of the home and children
2. Together we will fill our hearts with strength and courage to accomplish all the needs of the home.
3. Together we will prosper and share our worldly goods.
4. Together we will fill our hearts with great joy, peace, happiness, and spiritual values.
5. Together we will raise strong and virtuous children
6. together we will remain life long partners by this marriage.
7. Together we will cherish each other in sickness and in health, happiness and sorrow; we will work for the prosperity of our family.

Sindoor Daan
(Applying of vermilion Powder) and Ring Exchange
Jay presents Hiral with a necklace made of sacred black beads (Mangal Sutra), signifying his abiding love, integrity and devotion. Then he places sindoor, a reddish powder in her hair. The priest then blesses the wedding ring and the couple exchanges them. These acts represent Hiral and Jay’s new status as a married woman and man.

Kansar Bhojan
(Nourishing the relationship)
Jay and Hiral feed each other four times with sweets, signifying their pledge to love and care for each other, and accept the blessing to have a harmonious marriage.

Khand Saubhagyavati
(Blessing from the married women)
Hiral and Jay now seek the blessing of their parents and their elderly relatives by bowing to their feet (ashirvaad). Married women form the bride’s side bless the couple by whispering “saubhagyavati Bhav”(blessing for abiding martial happiness)into the bride’s right ear. Then seek blessing from relatives and friends.

Vidaai
(Farewell)
The last ritual of the ceremony is a touching and emotional farewell to the daughter. Hiral now begins her new role as a wife and as a member of the Warner family. She throws a fistful of rice, so that the house of her children remains prosperous and happy.