The Hindu Marriage Ceremony of

YYY

And

YYY

Minister: Mr XXX

Sunday 28^th May 2006

This is a preparatory ceremony, conducted by the bride’s father who will give her away, which entails “mental preparation” to perform the wedding. It begins with offering prayers to God and ends with welcoming the groom according to Vedic rules.


3. SAPTAPRADAKSHIN: Walking seven times around the groom

SUBHADRISHTI: The solemn rite of the bride and bridegroom looking at each other.

MALABADAL: Exchange of garlands

The bride is bought to the wedding place. She walks around the groom seven times. She then stands in front of the groom. The bride and groom stand in front of each other and exchange garlands as a mark of their betrothal.

The symbolic significance of this ritual is that God casts his auspicious eyes upon this world from the moment he created it. The two people – a man and woman – who are to be united as husband and wife and lead a life of harmony need a special kind of preparation to act as complement to each other. That preparation – casting a glance – which is considered to be auspicious, at each other, symbolises how God beholds the world He created.



 

4. KANYA SAMPRADAN: Giving away the daughter to the bridegroom

The bride’s father will give away his daughter to the groom. The priest puts the bride’s right hand into the groom’s right hand and recites the sacred “mantras” from the Vedas, and thus joins them together.

5.HOMA: Lighting of the sacred fire

ASHMAROHAN: Mounting the stone

The bridegroom ignites the holy fire and recites “mantras”. Then each puts a foot on a stone which is symbolic of steadfastness, righteousness and fidelity in married life. They go round the fire three times offering puffed rice to the fire. The “mantras” they recite are prayers for long life, happiness and prosperity.

Hindus used fire as the symbol of God during the Vedic period. Since God is present everywhere, anything existing in the universe can be chosen as His symbol. They chose fire, the dispeller of darkness, the symbol of purity, the giver of warmth, as the symbol of God. The lighting of fire as the symbol of God is a necessity during a Hindu wedding because Hindus believe God is the principal witness to the wedding. The marriage is a sacrament and thus indissoluble.



 

6. SAPTAPADI: The seven step walking ritual

The couple walk seven steps together reciting “mantras”. This ritual expresses the sharing and equality within their marriage.

7. PANIGRAHAN/SINDOOR: Holding hands and taking marriage vows; vermillion ceremony

The bridegroom holds the bride’s hands and marriage vows are taken. They pray to God for the union of two souls. Furthermore, the bridegroom asks the invited guests to bless his newly wedded wife.

The sacred fire is now extinguished and the priest blesses the couple by putting “tilak” on the foreheads of the bride and bridegroom. And, finally, the bridegroom puts “sindoor” into the parting of the bride’s hair. This symbolises that she is a married woman. 


The Wedding Party

Parents of the bride: XXX and YYY

Parents of the groom: XXX and YYY

Sisters of the bride: XXX

 

Sister of the groom: YYY

Bridesmaid: XXX YYY

Ring bearer: YYY

Best man: YYY

Groomsmen: Martin and Edward Bateman,  XXXYYY

With special blessings from XXX and YYY