Hindu Wedding Ceremony Steps
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Vara Satkaarah
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Welcome the bridegroom, family and friends with holy chants by the priests and music while the bride's mother blesses the groom.
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Washing Feet Ceremony
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The ritual begins with the parents offering their daughter's hand in marriage by washing the feet and hands of the bride and groom with milk and water.
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Madhupark
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The bridegroom is walked to the alter ceremoniously, and received on the mandap by the bride’s father.
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Antarpat
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an auspicious cloth used to conceal the bride from the groom at the start of the wedding. Because the antarpat separates the bride and groom, its use symbolizes the couple's individual lives prior to the marriage.
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Jaimala
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The bride and groom exchange garlands of fresh flowers to symbolize that they accept each other willingly and voluntarily.
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Sankalp
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The parents of bride and groom declare the marriage in their own places. This announcement of marriage is witnessed by the pandit who gives his blessing to bride and groom. The commencement of marriage begins after this ceremony
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Ganesha Pooja
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The wedding ceremony begins with a prayer to Lord Ganesh, the remover of all obstacles.
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Kanyadhaan
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The bride’s hands are places in the groom’s hands. The chants from the father signify “Here is my precious daughter, good-natured, very wise, who shall guard Dharma, Wealth, and Love. We are parents support and witness her transition to the next phase of her life”. The groom promises to accept the bride as his equal life partner.
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Hastamelap
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To strengthen their bond, the Groom’s sister or mother ties the ends of the scarves worn by the Bride and Groom together, signifying their unity and ‘tying the knot’ quite literally. The couple vows to treat others with respect love, compassion, and sympathy. They also pledge to show goodwill and affection to each other’s families.
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Pheras
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1st Phera: Prayer for pure and nourishing food, that they can love together with honour. 2nd Phera: Prayer to grow together in mental, physical, and spiritual strength. 3rd Phera: They promise to earn wealth by honest means and provide for each other. 4th Phera: They pledge to maintain family bonds and take care of elders and children. 5th Phera: They pray for healthy children, and pledge to be responsible parents. 6th Phera: They pray for bountiful seasons, and that they experience these together. 7th Phera: They promise to be lifelong friends and to live a life of mutual trust and love. The bride and groom then say. “We have taken the Seven Steps. You have become mine forever, I have become yours. As the heavens, the earth, the whole universe is stable, so may be our union.”
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Pradhaan Havan
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Agni signifies the God’s presence and is the eternal witness to the ceremony. The camphor, wood, and herbs cleanse the atmosphere with their disinfectant vapour. “Heal the atmosphere, and it will heal us”.
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Laaja Havan
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The ritual is held in observation of the Lord Agni, the Hindu Fire god, the ultimate witness to the marriage. The offering of the puffed rice ensures the couple is blessed by Agni and to be offered happiness and prosperity in return.
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Shilaroahan
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The rock ceremony is for the bride to show her courage by stepping on a rock and proving she will support her husband throughout their life together.
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Mangal Sutra
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This signifies the husband’s love and devotion to his wife.
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Sindhoor
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During the wedding ceremony, the groom puts sindhoor (red powder) on the hair parting of his bride, thereby solemnizing his sacramental union and making her his partner for life.
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Saptapadhi Vows
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Saptapadhi is the most important part of wedding, which follows the seven promises of Saptapadhi with seven rounds around the nuptial fire.
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Dhruvdarshan
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After the vows are exchanged, the priest will direct the newlyweds to look toward the sun in order to be blessed with creative life. The couple is then told to look at Dhruva, the polar star. Dhruva never moves or wavers in the night sky. The bride and groom recognize this and resolve to remain just as steadfast in their marriage as Dhruva is in the heavens.
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Blessings
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The guests shower the couple with flower petals and blesses them.