I was going to try to explain the whole Hindu-wedding shabang to y'all, but then I remembered that for our Wedding Premal put together a really lovely guide to the many rituals that make up the marriage ceremony. And so I present to you--
Dr. P's Guide to a Hindu Wedding
A Hindu marriage is a mental, physical, and spiritual union of two souls, as well as a bond between two families. The wedding ceremony is based on sacred scriptures written in Sanskrit, known as the Vedas, which date back several thousand years. The sacred fire that will be established in the Mandap symbolizes the illumination of the mind, knowledge and happiness, and is considered to be an eternal witness to the holy union as it progresses
Fresh flowers signify beauty
Coconut and Rice signifies fertility
Jaggery and grains signify the food necessary for life
Ghee is offered to the sacred fire
Sindhoor placement on the head signifies change in status to being married.
Milni ~ Arrival and Welcoming of the Groom’s Family
Premal and his family and friends are welcomed by Liberty's family at the entrance of the temple. This serves often as the first meeting of the extended family members and friends of both families. Aarti (prayer) will be performed and the bride and groom are blessed with flower petals.
Ganesh Puja ~ Prayer to Ganesh
The wedding ceremony, like all big events in Hindu culture, begins with a prayer to Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, for the successful completion of the ceremony and to bless the couple with happiness, peace, and prosperity throughout their lives together.
Arrival of the Bride
The bride is escorted to the Mandap by her brothers. A veil is drawn between the couple. A custom originating in ancient India, when the groom would not have seen the bride until the moment the cloth is lowered!
Kanyadaan~ Giving of the Bride
Liberty’s mother offers her daughter's hands and asks him to accept her as his equal in their life together. While the Jaimala serves as a promise of the union, this sweet gesture literalizes it. The bride's mother entrusts the groom with her care for the rest of their lives.
Ganthibandhan~ Tying the Knot
Premal's sister (or in this case cousin) ties the corner of Liberty's sari to Premal's scarf as a symbol of their sacred and permanent union as husband and wife. This is an important step following which the two will truly function as one unit.
Mangalsutra Dhahran
The groom ties a Mangalsutra (a sacred necklace) around his wife’s neck while uttering - “May you live long by wearing this sacred Mangalsutra, the reason of my life”. The mangalsutra symbolizes the unending nature of the love that exists between a husband and wife and is therefore also considered a talisman to overcome challenges that the couple may face in the future.
LajaHoma~ offering of Puffed Rice to Sacred fire
Liberty’s brothers pour laja (puffed rice) into the hands of the Bride and Groom to offer to the fire. The priest offers prayers to dispel darkness and ignorance from the couple's life and to lead them to an enlightened state.
MangalPhera ~ Walking around the Fire
Premal and Liberty walk around the sacred fire seven times. Liberty taking the lead for the first three rounds, symbolizing Dharma (righteousness), Artha (accomplishment), and Kama (energy and passion) before handing off to Premal for the next four rounds, which symbolize Moksha (spiritual liberation).
Sindhoora Arpana and Ring Exchanges
The tradition of Sindhoor comes from the Harappan civilization. The bright red color of sindhoor signifies the blood that allows all of us to live. The groom applies Sindhoor to his bride's forehead, signifying that she is a married woman, and that he will cherish her like his own life. The couple also exchanges rings.
Presentation of the Couple
Premal and Liberty leave the Mandap as husband and wife as the priest and guests offer their blessings.
I've included Dr. P's complete guide after the jump for anyone interested. It's a bit long, but then so is the ceremony, and as someone who learned a lot from it, I think it's worth reading.
Dr. P's Guide to a Hindu Wedding
A
Hindu marriage is a mental, physical, and spiritual union of two souls, as well
as a bond between two families. The wedding ceremony is based on sacred
scriptures written in Sanskrit, known as the Vedas, which date back several
thousand years. The sacred fire that will be established in the Mandap
symbolizes the illumination of the mind, knowledge and happiness, and is
considered to be an eternal witness to the holy union as it progresses
Fresh flowers signify beauty
Coconut and Rice signifies fertility
Jaggery and grains signify the food necessary
for life
Ghee is offered to the sacred fire
Sindhoor placement on the head signifies change
in status to being married.
Milni ~ Arrival and Welcoming of the
Groom’s Family
Dr. P and his family and friends are welcomed by Three’s family at the entrance of the temple. This serves often as the first meeting of the extended family members and friends of both families. Aarti (prayer) will be performed and the bride and groom are blessed with flower petals.
Dr. P and his family and friends are welcomed by Three’s family at the entrance of the temple. This serves often as the first meeting of the extended family members and friends of both families. Aarti (prayer) will be performed and the bride and groom are blessed with flower petals.
Ganesh Puja ~ Prayer to Ganesh
The wedding ceremony, like all big events in
Hindu culture, begins with a prayer to Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles,
for the successful completion of the ceremony and to bless Three and Dr. P to
enjoy happiness, peace, and prosperity throughout their lives together.
Arrival of the Bride
Three is escorted to the
Mandap by her brothers. A sheet of cloth
is held in front of Dr. P so that he cannot see Three. This custom began in
ancient India, when the groom would not have seen the bride’s face until the
moment that the cloth is lowered!
Jaimala
This
is a big moment in the ceremony because it is the first ritual that signifies
that Three accepts Dr. P as her husband. Most wedding ceremonies have a
tradition where the bride and groom exchange circular items, ie:
rings, necklaces, or garlands. The circle represents that there is no beginning
and no end of the union. It is made at
once eternal.
Kanyadaan~ Giving of the Bride
Three’s
mother places her hands into Dr. P’s and asks him to accept her as his equal in
their life together. While the Jaimala serves as a promise of the union, this
sweet gesture literalizes it. Three’s
mother entrusts Dr. P with her care of the rest of their lives.
Ganthibandhan~ Tying the Knot
Dr. P’s sister (cousin) ties the corner of Three’s
sari to Dr. P’s scarf as a symbol of their sacred and permanent union as
husband and wife. This is an important
step following which Dr. P and Three shall function truly as one unit.
Hasta Milap
Three and Dr. P symbolically link their right
hands as they pledge to always love and care for each other.
Mangalsutra Dhahran
Dr. P ties a Mangalsutra (a sacred necklace) around Three’s neck while uttering - “May you live long by wearing this sacred Mangalsutra, the reason of my life”. The mangalsutra symbolizes the unending nature of the love that exists between a husband and wife and is therefore also considered a talisman to overcome challenges that the couple may face in the future.
Dr. P ties a Mangalsutra (a sacred necklace) around Three’s neck while uttering - “May you live long by wearing this sacred Mangalsutra, the reason of my life”. The mangalsutra symbolizes the unending nature of the love that exists between a husband and wife and is therefore also considered a talisman to overcome challenges that the couple may face in the future.
Agni Puja~ Establishment of the Holy
Fire
The priest sets up a small fire in a havankund (copper bowl) which is to serve as the eternal witness of the marriage. It has a deep origin in the ancient customs of cementing the bonds of friendship/alliance, although today, it only survives in the context of weddings.
The priest sets up a small fire in a havankund (copper bowl) which is to serve as the eternal witness of the marriage. It has a deep origin in the ancient customs of cementing the bonds of friendship/alliance, although today, it only survives in the context of weddings.
LajaHoma~ offering of Puffed Rice to Sacred fire.
Three’s brothers pour laja (puffed rice) into the hands of the Bride and Groom to offer to the fire. The priest offers prayers to dispel darkness and ignorance from Three’s and Dr. P’s lives and to lead them to an enlightened state.
Three’s brothers pour laja (puffed rice) into the hands of the Bride and Groom to offer to the fire. The priest offers prayers to dispel darkness and ignorance from Three’s and Dr. P’s lives and to lead them to an enlightened state.
MangalPhera ~ Walking around the
Fire
Three
and Dr. P walk around the sacred fire seven times. Three leads Dr. P for the
first three rounds, symbolizing Dharma (righteousness), Artha (accomplishment),
and Kama (energy and passion). Dr. P leads Three for the next four rounds,
which symbolize Moksha (spiritual liberation).
Saptapadi ~ Seven Steps and Vows
Three
and Dr. P exchange seven vows that reflect their guiding principles in life and
make them eternal partners. With each vow, they take a step, symbolizing the
beginning of their journey through life together.
The
priest leads the bride and groom in taking the seven vows:
1. Let us take the first step to provide
clothing, shelter, and physical and spiritual sustenance.
2. Let us take the second step to fulfill our
hopes and aspirations.
3. Let us take the third step to lead
righteous and virtuous lives.
4. Let us take the fourth step to acquire
knowledge and harmony through mutual love and trust.
5. Let us take the fifth step to be blessed
with healthy and virtuous children.
6. Let us take the sixth step to fulfill all
our duties and obligations towards parents and other family members.
7. Let us take the seventh step to become
true companions and remain lifelong partners.
Shilarohana~ Stepping on the Stone
Three places her right foot on a stone, which symbolizes her empowerment as the wife, remaining rock solid through all the challenges that they will face as a couple.
Three places her right foot on a stone, which symbolizes her empowerment as the wife, remaining rock solid through all the challenges that they will face as a couple.
Sindhoora Arpana and Ring Exchanges
The tradition of Sindhoor comes from the
Harappan civilization. The bright red
color of sindhoor signifies the blood that allows all of us to live. Dr. P applies Sindhoor on Three’s forehead,
signifying that she is a married woman, and that he will cherish her like his
own life. The couple also exchanges rings.
Aashirvaad ~ Blessings
The newly married couple bows in front of the
guests to receive their blessings. The priest blesses the newlyweds. Family and
friends of Three and Dr. P come forward to wish the couple for a long and happy
married life.
Aarti
Aarti comes from Sanskrit; "Aa" means
"towards or to", and "rati" means "right or
virtue". Two ladies will conduct this important ceremonial waving of
lights in front of the bride and groom to conclude the ceremony.
Presentation of the Couple
As Three and Dr. P leave the Mandap as husband
and wife, the priest and guests offer their blessings.
