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Introduction
The tradition Vedic wedding ceremony is about four thousand years old. The ceremony is
a religious occasion solemnized in accordance with the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of the
Hindus. It is a collection of rituals performed by the bride’s parents. Each steps in the
ceremony has symbolic philosophical and spiritual meaning. The Maharaj (priest)
conducts the ceremony by chanting Mantras (bridal altar). The ceremony is performed in
Sanskrit, the most ancient surviving language.
Lagna, the marriage, is performed to unite two souls so firmly that after marriage
although their bodied remain separate, their souls merge and become harmonious. They
become spiritually one.
Swagatam
(Welcoming the Groom)
Jay arrives amid much celebration with his family and friends at the doorsteps. Hiral’s
mother welcomes Jay and asks him if is prepared to make the life long commitment and
is ready to deal with the bittersweet experience that marriage will present in the future.
He is then asked to brake a clay pot filled with curd, honey, ghee (clarified butter) and
cottonseeds. The clay pot represent the world and the materials symbolize the different
experience he will encounter in the journey of life ahead. Hiral’s mother then leads him
to the Mandap (bridal altar) where the wedding ceremony will take place.
Agni Poojan
(Lighting of the Fire)
A small fire is lit. Offering are made by Hiral and jay to the goddess of fire (Agni).
Crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar, rice, ghee, camphor, and twigs are placed into the fire
invoking God’s blessing (Homa). These prayers have a special importance for it is agni
who dispels the darkness and ignorance from our lives and leads us to eternal light and
knowledge.
Mangal Fera
(Holy steps around the sacred fire)
Naimish gives rice to his sister so that she may offer it to god. Now the couple jointly
takes the following four vows as they circle the scared fire., seeking the four basic goals
of human life. The groom leads the bride in the first three round.
Groom; I shall lead us on the path of Dharma (righteous). I shall lead us towards Artha
(prosperity) and fulfillment of our dreams). I shall lead us towards Kama (energy and
passion in life)
The bride leads the groom in the fourth round.
Bride: I shall lead us towards the attainment of Moksha (salvation)
Sindoor Daan
(Applying of vermilion Powder) and Ring Exchange
Jay presents Hiral with a necklace made of sacred black beads (Mangal Sutra), signifying
his abiding love, integrity and devotion. Then he places sindoor, a reddish powder in her
hair. The priest then blesses the wedding ring and the couple exchanges them. These acts
represent Hiral and Jay’s new status as a married woman and man.
Kansar Bhojan
(Nourishing the relationship)
Jay and Hiral feed each other four times with sweets, signifying their pledge to love and
care for each other, and accept the blessing to have a harmonious marriage.
Khand Saubhagyavati
(Blessing from the married women)
Hiral and Jay now seek the blessing of their parents and their elderly relatives by bowing
to their feet (ashirvaad). Married women form the bride’s side bless the couple by
whispering “saubhagyavati Bhav”(blessing for abiding martial happiness)into the bride’s
right ear. Then seek blessing from relatives and friends.
Vidaai
(Farewell)
The last ritual of the ceremony is a touching and emotional farewell to the daughter. Hiral
now begins her new role as a wife and as a member of the Warner family. She throws a
fistful of rice, so that the house of her children remains prosperous and happy.