Indian Wedding Rituals (Part Two)

  Last week we shared a feature about the first portion of Indian wedding traditions. If you caught up with that post, then you already have an idea of how culture rich an Indian wedding can be. With a deep focus on family and the bonding or joining of both sides, an Indian wedding hosts a variety of meaningful rituals. In today’s article, we are going to cover the remaining portion of Indian wedding rituals- that way, in case you are planning an Indian wedding- or just attending one- you will have an idea of what to expect.

Vivah Havan (The Lighting of the Sacred Fire)- Following the Kanyadaan and Hasta Melap, the priest will then light the sacred fire or Agni. The Agni symbolizes the divine presence as a witness for the ceremony. When a commitment is made in the presence of Agni, they are considered to have been made in the presence of God.

Mangal Phere: The bride and groom will then walk around the sacred fire seven times. At this time, they will be thinking about the four aspirations in life: the Dharma- their duty to each other, their family, and God.), Artha- prosperity, Karma- energy and passion, and Moshka- their salvation. At first, the bride will lead the groom for the first three rounds, then the groom will lead the last four rounds. Rice grains will be placed in the bride’s hands (usually by her brother) as she completes each round. This signifies his pledge to support her or protect her in any time of need.

Saptapadi: Also known as the Seven Sacred Steps, the couple will take seven steps together while takings a sacred vow with each step. The vow varies depending on personal preference or belief. A detailed example can be found here.

As they return to their seats, the bride will sit on the groom’s left side. This signifies her taking the closest position to his heart. The groom will then place a mangalsutra, a sacred necklace, around her neck while offering her lifelong protection. He will also apply sindoor, red vermilion powder, on her forehead. It is at this time that they will exchange rings and feed each other sweets.

Aashirvaad: It is then time to bless the married couple. The women from both sides of the family will proceed to whisper blessings into the bride’s ear. After, the couple will bow to the priest, their parents and their older relatives in order to receive their final blessings. Afterwards, the guests will shower the bride and groom with rice and flowers while wishing them a happy and long marriage.

When these beautiful and meaningful rituals are complete, it is then time to celebrate! There is dancing, live performances and festivities to celebrate their union. The excitement is intriguing and makes for amazing wedding photos! If you would like to see more, feel free to browse our impressive selection of Indian weddings.