Sylwia & Deep
Ceremony Program
1. BARAAT
Groom's Parade
The groom and his family and friends parade to the wedding venue, with dancing and music.
2. SWAGATAM
Welcoming the Groom
The bride's family receives the groom and his family upon their arrival for the wedding ceremony. The bride's mother performs welcome rituals and gives her blessings. The groom is then asked to step on an earthen pot symbolizing his willingness to take on life's challenges and wonders before being led to the mandap.
3. GANESH POOJAN
The First Pooja
The first prayer in any Hindu ceremony is always to Lord Ganesh - the remover of obstacles - to ensure everything proceeds smoothly.
4. KANYA AGAMAN
Bride's Arrival
The bride arrives at the mandap where a curtain will separate her and the groom for the first part of the ceremony.
5. JAI MALA
Exchanging Garlands
The bride arrives and the couple exchange garlands to show their consent to the match. They take their places in the mandap for the ceremony.
6. KANYA DAAN & HASTA MELAP
Giving Away the Bride
The bride's parents give away their daughter by placing her right hand into the groom's right hand. This signifies their parental blessing for the marriage.
7. GATH BANDHAN
Tying the Knot
The ends of the couple's scarves are tied together to symbolize the joining of their lives. The couple holds hands and accepts each other as man and wife.
8. AGNI POOJAN
Calling Lord Agni as Witness
Agni (fire) is lit as a witness to a marriage. The bride and groom offer various items to feed the fire and recite vows to be faithful and respectful to one another.
9. MANGAL PHERA
Circling the Sacred Fire
The bride and groom circle the sacred fire, taking their first steps as a married couple. With each circle, they seek happiness and prosperity in their household.
10. SAPTAPADI
The Seven Steps
The couple will take seven steps together that represent the beginning of their journey in life together. With each step, they make a vow to each other that together we will: 1. Pursue physical vitality 2. Pursue strong mental energy 3. Pursue prosperity and share our worldly goods 4. Fill our hearts with great joy, peace, trust, and spiritual values 5. Raise healthy and virtuous children 7. Remain lifetime companions & friends
11. MANGAL SUTRA & RINGS
Symbols of Marriage
The groom applies red vermillion powder (sindoor) to the bride's hair parting and places a mangal sutra (a sacred necklace) around her neck as a symbol of his love, commitment and respect. These two offers signify the bride's status as a married women.
12. AKHAND SAUBHAGYAVATI
Advice from Married Women
Married women from the bride and groom's families whisper good wishes in the bride's ear and bless her with an unbroken wedded life.
13. KANSAR
Offering of Sweets
The couple feed each other sweets signifying their first meal together as husband and wire and demonstrating that they will share all things in life.
14. AASHIRVAAD
Blessing
The priest declares the bride and groom as husband and wife and blesses the newlyweds with a happy and prosperous life together. He asks the congregation to join him in showering the couple with blessings and good wishes. The couple then seeks blessings from family and friends as the ceremony concludes.
15. VIDAAI
The Bride's Farewell
The bride and groom exit the mandap and the bride's family bids her farewell.