Pratik & Maureen
Indian Ceremony Information
Travel Tips
Google Doc Available
Please peruse the Google Doc Maureen and Pratik wrote for expert advice about traveling in India! Available on the Travel Info page.
Overview
The Saptapadi
The saptapadi, or Maharashtrian Hindu wedding ceremony, is a deeply spiritual event with several landmark rituals. For folks following along in their scorecards at home, here’s a crash course in what to expect.
Setting
The wedding party will be seated under a traditional canopy.
It's called a mandāp. The key rituals will take place under the mandāp, not dissimilar to a chuppah at a Jewish wedding. At the center of the mandāp is the sacralized fire which is the focal point of the wedding rituals.
Groom's Appearance
The groom will begin with a curtain over his face.
It shields his view of the bride. This curtain, called the antarpāt, symbolizes the individual lives of the bride and groom before the sacrament of marriage.
One: Flowers!
The first ritual is the exchange of floral varmālā.
The exchange of flower garlands, or varmālā, represents similar sentiments as those expressed in common western marriage vows: the acceptance of the bride and groom of their spouse, and the pledge to respect and cherish that spouse throughout the rest of their days. After the exchange of varmālā, guests will throw rice over the couple.
Two: Connections.
AKA, the hasta milāp and granthibandan.
These connected rituals are similar to a Western handfasting ceremony. The couple’s right hands will be tied together with a cloth, and the veil of Maureen’s sari will be tied to Pratik’s clothes.
Three: Burn, Baby, Burn.
Guest Participation Incoming!
After hasta milāp and granthibandan, Pratik and Maureen will perform several ceremonies at the sacred fire, or āgnī. The priest will lead the couple and wedding party in call and response and the presentation of offerings. At this time, guests will be offered spiritually significant items such as rice and flowers. When the wedding party calls out: “Shubhamangalam savadhan!” (SHOO-buh-MUN-guh-lum SAH-vuh-DAAN) ALL wedding guests will toss some of these offerings over the couple. The blessings will be repeated three times, so make sure to hold onto a little bit of rice/petals for each of the three blessings!
Ring Around the Rosie
The Most Important Ceremony of All.
Maureen and Pratik will circle the sacred fire seven times, making distinct marriage vows with each round. This ceremony is the most important ceremony which grants the couple the status of “married.” In fact, in lots of Indian languages, the word for this ceremony--"saptapadi" (seven steps) or informally, "saat phere" (seven rounds)--is used as a synecdoche to connote the entire wedding event. In reciting the vows, the couple ask God for nourishment, physical, spiritual, and mental wellbeing, wealth and fulfillment, ever-growing mutual love and respect, the welfare of their families, a long life together, and companionship and partnership throughout their marriage.
Symbolizing Union
Spouses Just Can't Wait to Tell Everyone They're Married!
After the vows, Pratik will present Maureen with the physical symbols of their marriage. In Hindu culture, these are a mangalsutra, or auspicious necklace, and kumkum or sindoor, vermillion powder worn in the hair. There is no traditional symbol of marriage for Hindu men, though today many wear a wedding ring.
Headgear Returns.
What are They Wearing??
In addition to Pratik's temporary antarpāt, Maureen and Pratik will both wear a bāshīng, or symbolic crown, which looks like a string of pearls pulled tight across the forehead and trailing down over the ears. Worn by all Maharashtrian Hindu brides and grooms, the bāshīng means different things to different people. No matter what you think it symbolizes, it wouldn't be a Maharashtrian wedding without one!