The Wedding Ceremony of

XXX and YYY

Saturday, February 11, 2005

Performed by XXX

The ceremony is traditionally performed in Sanskrit. Today, it will be performed in both Sanskrit and English. The following sequence of rituals represents the significant parts of the ceremony.

Mangala Vadyam – The wedding ceremony begins with Mangala Vadyam which is the playing of the auspicious Shenai, a trumpet-like instrument.

Var Agaman – XXX mother welcomes YYY and his parents. She bestows her blessing on him by placing a red tilaka (red powder) mark on his forehead. Sanjeev is led to the Mandap where the ceremony will take place.

Kanya Agaman – XXX is accompanied by her parents as she walks up the aisle towards the mandap. During this time, the priest chants verses blessing the couple from the Hindu scriptures and epics, such as Rama Sita and Shiva Parvati.

Varmala -  XXX and YYY put flower garlands on each other to welcome one another into each other’s life. The exchange of the garlands symbolizes high respect and surrender of ego to each other. The fresh flowers also signify beauty and love for each other. The bride’s parents place a shawl on the couple’s shoulders. They also symbolically tie the ends of their garments in a sacred knot proclaiming the couple’s acceptance of each other.
 

Kanyadan – In Hindu culture, giving away of the Kanya (daughter’s hand in marriage) is the most precious Daah (gift) that the bride’s parents can give to the groom.

Hastmelap ( Joining of the hands) - The priest asks both Deepti and Sanjeev to put forward their right hands, palms facing up. As the priest recites holy versus, the bride’s parents place an edible paan (leaf), sopari (betel nut), flowers, rice, money, and water in their palms. The father of the bride requests the groom to accept his daughter in marriage by saying “I offer my daughter to you in marriage to continue your generation and I wish you to be faithful to her and keep her with you in every walk of your life”. The groom responds with “I accept”. The bride’s parents give their daughter’s hand in marriage to the groom by placing her hand on top of his. The priest invokes the powers of God to provide stability and continuity of their married life.

Agni Puja – Prayers are offered to the Agni (holy fire) to dispel darkness and ignorance from the lives of the couple and to lead them to light and knowledge.

Mangal Fera – Circling the Holy Fire

This is perhaps the most important phase of the marriage ceremony. The bride and groom holding hands, circle around the fire seven times representing commitments made in the presence of God, Family, and friends. The first six rounds, which are led by Sanjeev, represent the goals of life that are set forth in Hindu scriptures. Dharma (duty), Artha (wealth and prosperity), and Kama (life’s enjoyments). The seventh round is led by Deepti which represents Moksha (life’s spiritual values).

Sapta Padi – Seven steps of Commitment (vows)
XXX and YYY take seven steps as husband and wife which symbolizes the beginning of their journey as life partners. Together they exchange the following vows. Together we will

Love one another and to be faithful to each other

Embrace each others’ families as our own
Share our happiness and sorrow

Share ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually

Be kind and generous to human kind

Cherish each other and continuously strengthen our

Love

Support each other’s goals

Mangalsutra/ Ring exchange  (tying of the sacred necklace) -

YYY gives XXX a mangala sutra, a necklace made of gold and onyx which has been blessed by his family. XXX and YYY also exchange wedding rings at this time.

Sindoor – XXX applies sindoor (vermilion powder) to the parting of YYY hair. This red line identifies her as a married woman.

Kamsarbhakshan – Offering of Holy Food

The bride’s mother brings Indian sweets for the couple, which they feed, to each other. This holy offering signifies “sweetness in married life.”

Dhruva Darshan – The priest recites hymns requesting the blessings of the Gods and wishes prosperity to the newlyweds. The couple prays Dhruva and asks for its blessing for a stable, steady  relationship. Dhurba (North Star) is stable and does not change its position over time.

Ashirwadam – Blessings
The newlyweds receive blessings from the priest, and seek blessings from their parents and elders in the family.

This marks the end of the ceremony. XXX and YYY walk down the aisle for the first time as husband and wife receiving congratulations and blessings from their honored guests.