Wedding Program
1
Milaap
The groom arrives with his party (baraat) and is greeted by the bride's father, family priest, and other relatives. The father of the bride and the father of the groom embrace each other.
2
Dwar Puja
The pandit conducts a short ceremony at the gate, invoking Lord Ganesh and Mother Gowrie. Praying for blessings on the families, especially the groom. The bride's father applies a tilak (sacred mark) on the groom's forehead.
3
Parchaan
The ladies, led by the bride’s mother, welcome the groom by waving water over him and throwing bits of dough in the four directions, representing North, South, East, and West. The word “Parchan” means “examination,” and here the womenfolk from the bride’s family get an opportunity to see and admire the groom.
4
Jaanwas
The Groom, with his bhariat, rests before the start of the wedding ceremony
5
Imlee Gotaaway, Naychu
While the groom rests in the Janwaas area, the bride enters the Mandaap, where a short ceremony called Imlee Gotaaway is performed. The tips of five mango leaves are given by the bride’s uncle (mamoo) to the bride to nibble and then given to the bride’s mother. Naychu – the bride’s feet and hands are decorated with henna (auspicious markings) by a member of the bride’s family.
6
Taag Paat
The groom's elder brother now enters the Mandap and gives the bride gifts, including clothing (usually in a small suitcase). Then he adorns her with a sacred yarn (necklace) called Taag Paat. Symbolically, he is saying that he is willing to take the responsibility of an elder brother (barkha) or father figure during their married life together. Afterward, the bride departs the Mandaap and awaits the grand entrance of the groom to the Mandaap.
7
The Sacrament of Kanya Daan
The bride re-enters the Mandaap. “Swasti Vachaan” (Vedic Mantras) is chanted by the Pandit. Next, the Kanya Daan ceremony is performed. This is the giving (daan) of the bride (kanya) to the groom. The bride’s right hand is placed in the groom’s hand. The brother of the bride pours water as the Pandit recites the “kanya daan sankalp”. The groom accepts her as an equal partner and promises to protect her. The bride is now directed to sit on the right side of the groom.
8
Samanjan (facing each other) & Jai Maala
As the Pandit recites the mantras, the bride and groom are instructed to look at each other. Then they both stand facing each other. The bride then places the “garland of victory” (a maala made of flowers) on the groom, who, in turn, garlands her. Reminiscent of the time when Lord Rama and Seeta Maata garland each other as depicted in the Ramayana (Seeya Raam Dalay Jai Maala).
9
Granth Bandhan (tying of the knot)
A flower, rice, a supari, and a coin, blessed by the Pandit, are placed in the ends of the bride's and groom's garments and tied in a knot, thereby solemnizing their pledge to each other. Thus, they are now bound in an eternal relationship.
10
Vivah Homas (hawan)
The bride and groom now make offerings into the sacred fire (Agni Dewta), seeking victory, protection, fertility, and prosperity.
11
Paani Grahan (grasping of the bride’s hands by the groom)
The groom holds the bride’s hands and prays as follows, “I take your hand for happiness, may God grant us a long, happy, and fulfilling life.”
12
Shilarohan (Stepping on the stone)
The groom asks the bride to step on a stone, with her right foot near the Mandaap. Symbolically, like the stone, the groom asks the bride to be firm and steadfast in their devotion and support to each other.
13
Agni Parikrama (circumambulating the fire seven times)
The bride’s brother, standing on the northeastern corner, pours “laawa (puffed rice)” into a small basket held by the bride. The bride leads the groom and circles the sacred fire four times, offering the parched grains into the fire. The groom leads and circles the fire the remaining three times. Grains and leaves are symbols of fruitfulness and prosperity, and the couple prays that their marriage must be fruitful and prosperous. Reminiscent of the marriage of Lord Ram and Seeta Maata, as every marriage is seen as a merging of Lord Ram and Seeta Maata.
14
Sapta Padi (The Rites of the Seven Steps)
The groom and the bride now take seven steps together, the first combined act of the marriage. Each step that is taken instills in their minds the essential desire for a loving, lasting, and harmonious married life. These steps symbolize influence and basic nourishment of life, happiness, health, wealth, favorable divine influence, and long-lasting friendship.
15
Surya Darshan
A symbolic ritual where the newlywed couple looks at the sun, seeking blessings for a bright, creative, and passionate life.
16
Hriday Sparsh (touching of the bride’s heart)
The groom, reaching over to the bride's right shoulder, touches the bride's heart and says “Into my will I take thy heart, thy mind shall dwell in my mind, in my word thou shall rejoice with all thy heart: May Prajapati join thee to me” This ritual indicates that marriage is not only the physical union of two persons, but also the union of two hearts or souls in a world of love as the heart is the center of all feelings.
17
Saat Vaachan (Brides Seven Request)
The bride, sitting on the right side of the groom, makes seven requests of the groom before moving to his left side.
18
Var Vaachan (Grooms Single Request)
The groom acknowledges and consents to the requests of the bride and proceeds to make a single request.
19
Vaamaagni Karan (Agreement of Requests)
After the bride and groom's requests are agreed upon in the presence of all, the bride takes her place on the groom's left side and thus becomes his wife.
20
Sindoor Dhaan
The groom applies vermillion (sindoor) on the parting of the hair (maang) of the bride. This is a symbol of honor.
21
Mangalsutra
The pandit then instructs the groom to adorn the Bride with a sacred mangalsutra necklace. Thjis necklace represents the couple love, togetherness and sacred union.
22
Exchange of Rings
The Pandit blesses the wedding bands, which are then exchanged by the bride and groom.
23
Asheervaad
Final prayers by the Pandit are recited as petals, and rice grains, which are symbols of love, beauty, and prosperity, are then showered upon the bride and groom by all gathered. Symbolizing the showering of love, beauty, happiness, and prosperity for the newlywed couple. Afterward, the hands of the newlywed couple are filled with grains and “dhoori” (a sweet rice ball) as it is the wish of all present that the couple be happy and prosperous.
