Ceremony
Traditional Hindu ceremonies include numberous rites and mantras and can last up to seven days. Since the ceremony I will be attending is only an hour and a half long, obviously many of these traditional sections have been significantly shortened or cut altogether. The sections I have chosen to discuss here will be present in the wedding that I will be attending.
Seemant Pujan
This will be the beginning of the ceremony. The groom has finished his baraat (celebratory procession) and is escorted by his parents to the mandap. A mandap is the wedding altar, which is built to represent the universe. It has four pillars, which represent the parents of the bride and groom and the stability they have provided in raising the bride and groom. In the center of the mandap is a sacred fire (usually in a metal container). It represents Agni, the Fire God, who bears divine witness to the union. The fire also represents the warmth that marriage will bring to the couple's lives. In the Seemant Pujan, the groom and his parents are welcomed by the bride's mother, who often holds a ceremonial light to ward off evil spirits. The priest recites a verse of praise to Vishnu (the supreme god of Hinduism). Then the priest and the bride's parents escort the groom to his seat of honor at the altar.
Madhuparka
In one variation of this ritual, the bride's father offers honey to the groom to sweeten his welcome. In another variation, it is the bride who offers the groom honey, along with yogurt. The yogurt represents purity and the honey represents sweetness. The term madhuparka refers to this part of the ceremony, the container in which the honey is held, and also the honey itself. In this part of the ceremony, the bride and groom might also place garlands of flowers around each other's necks. These fresh flowers signify beauty.
Kanya-dana
This ritual is alternately known as the Kanya-dana, the Kanyadaan, or the Kanya Danam. Its name can alternately be traslated as "the gift of a girl," "giving away the daughter," or "entrusting of the daughter." This part of the ceremony is when the bride's parents formally give her in marriage, and she is accepted by the groom and his parents. The bride's father places her right hand into the groom's right hand, thus making her part of the groom's family. The groom then touches the bride's right shoulder to show that he accepts her. The bride's mother may also pour water on the couple's hands for purification. The Kanya-dana is considered to be one of the holiest and most valuable sacrifices a parent can make.
Mangalsutra
The term mangalsutra refers to both the wedding necklace and the part of the ceremony when the groom ties it around his bride's neck. The word translates as "auspicious thread." It necklace is made of black beads and often includes a gold or diamond pendant. The color black is supposed to avert the evil eye, protecting the couple from evil powers. The mangalsutra is supposed to ensure the couple good fortune, love,
affection, and lifelong friendship. The groom ties it around the bride's neck during the ceremony, securing it with three knots. It represents his promise to live with his wife forever.
affection, and lifelong friendship. The groom ties it around the bride's neck during the ceremony, securing it with three knots. It represents his promise to live with his wife forever.
Laaja Homan
This part of the ceremony can alternately be called Laaja Homan, Laja Homa, or Homa. The bride hands grains of rice to the groom, who feeds them to the sacred fire. The rice grains symbolize the bride's desire for a long life for her husband. It also shows her desire to bear children to continue the family. In a variation of this ceremony, the bride's brother can hand the rice to the bride before she hands it to the groom. The involvement of the bride's brother symbolizes a continuing link between the two families. The priest may also sprinkle water for purification.
Mangal Pheras
This part of the ceremony can be translated as "circumambulation of the fire" and might alternately be called the Mangalfera or Agni Parinaya. The bride and groom hold hands and walk four clockwise circles around the sacred fire. As they walk, the priest recites holy scriptures from the Vedas. The first round represents dharma, which is righteous conduct and the fulfillment of civic and religious responsibilities. The second round represents artha, which is the accumulation of wealth and prosperity. The third round represents karma, which is energy and passion in life. The fourth round is for the attainment of moksha, which is life's spiritual values and final release from the bonds of earthly life. The groom leads for the first three circles, but the bride may lead the final round.
Asmaarahana
The Asmaarahana can alternately be called the Shilarohana. The name means "mounting the stone," "stepping on the stone," or "treading on the grindstone." The couple walks three more circles around the fire. At the end of the final round, the bride places her foot on a stone and prays to be firm and steadfast in love. The action is symbolic of the rock-solid foundation of their union. In another variation, the groom also places his foot on the stone exhorts his bride to be as firm as the stone so that they can face any enemies or difficulties in life together.
Sapta-padi
Sapta-padi (alternately spelled saptapadi) means "seven steps" or "seven feet" in Sanskrit. This is the most important component of the ceremony. The bride and groom take seven steps together, symbolizing the beginning of their journey as lifelong partners. The bride may also feed rice grains into the fire or step on seven small heaps of rice. With each step around the sacred fire, they make another vow or express another desire. The seven steps are:
1. For a plentiful supply of food and provision for their household.
2. For strength of mind, body, and spirit.
3. To increase their wealth through righteous means.
4. To acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony through mutual love, respect, and trust.
5. To have strong and virtuous children.
6. For self-restraint and longevity; to enjoy the seasons of life together.
7. To be true companions and lifelong parners and friends.
In some more modern ceremonies, the seven steps are:
1. To multiply each other's pleasures and divide the pains.
2. To shield and shelter each other and their family with unwavering love.
3. To remain mutually tranquil, faithful, and devoted and to have the strength to jointly fulfill spiritual, temporal, and familial duties.
4. To share fully and willingly in each other's joys and sorrows.
5. To live simply within their means, and to be content with their spiritual wealth.
6. To tend to each other's every need with love and devotion.
7. To walk side by side always, until the end of life's journey.
1. For a plentiful supply of food and provision for their household.
2. For strength of mind, body, and spirit.
3. To increase their wealth through righteous means.
4. To acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony through mutual love, respect, and trust.
5. To have strong and virtuous children.
6. For self-restraint and longevity; to enjoy the seasons of life together.
7. To be true companions and lifelong parners and friends.
In some more modern ceremonies, the seven steps are:
1. To multiply each other's pleasures and divide the pains.
2. To shield and shelter each other and their family with unwavering love.
3. To remain mutually tranquil, faithful, and devoted and to have the strength to jointly fulfill spiritual, temporal, and familial duties.
4. To share fully and willingly in each other's joys and sorrows.
5. To live simply within their means, and to be content with their spiritual wealth.
6. To tend to each other's every need with love and devotion.
7. To walk side by side always, until the end of life's journey.
Aashirvaad
Aashirvaad means "blessings." The bride and groom touch their parents' feet and ask for blessings. The parents the touch the bride and groom on their heads and wish them an enduring, fruitful marriage and many years of shared prosperity. The priest also blesses the couple. The wedding guests then shower the couple with rose petals as the ceremony concludes.