| I was recently invited to attend a Hindu wedding | | | | Mangalpheras (Circling of the Holy Fire) |
| ceremony. Having never experienced a non-Christian | | | | During the Mangalpheras, the couple circles the holy |
| wedding, I was excited about the event. On the | | | | fire four times with their wedding scarves tied |
| surface, it was very different from other weddings | | | | together. The bride's brothers are also called in to |
| I've attended, but the focus on unity and love is | | | | participate in the ceremony. The four circles |
| universal throughout many cultures, I think. I'd like to | | | | symbolize the four basic human goals of Dharma, |
| share my experience. | | | | Artha, Karma and Moksha. |
| The ceremony started in the morning with the bride | | | | Dharma - Religion and Ethics |
| and groom splitting up. The bride's family and friends | | | | Artha - Wealth and Prosperity |
| gathered in one area, while we were ushered outside | | | | Karma - Love, Fertility and Family |
| with the groom and his family and friends. A beautiful | | | | Moksha - Spiritual Liberation and Salvation |
| and ornate archway was constructed in front of a | | | | Saptapadi (Seven Vows) |
| side door to the hotel. We all gathered around it as | | | | The bride and groom seek blessing from God as they |
| the groom took part in rituals preparing him for the | | | | take seven sacred vows together: |
| ceremony. The rituals included a few members of the | | | | 1. We will respect each other. |
| bride's family as well as the Hindu priest. | | | | 2. We will care for each other. |
| After the rituals were complete, we all walked | | | | 3. We will be patient with each other. |
| through the archway into the hotel. Personally, this | | | | 4. We will be honest and faithful to each other. |
| part seemed particularly touching to me, as the | | | | 5. We will be together in sorrow and in happiness. |
| groom's family and friends were participating in the | | | | 6. We will travel this journey of life with love & |
| ceremony rather than just observing. | | | | harmony. |
| Next, we entered the ballroom where the main | | | | 7. We will keep our family happy, healthy and strong. |
| ceremony would take place. We sat in rows facing a | | | | Kansar Bhakshan (First Meal Together) |
| large stage which was decorated beautifully, and we | | | | Kansar Bhakshan is the couple's first meal together. |
| were given programs so we could follow along with | | | | The bride and groom offer Kansar to one another to |
| the ceremony. Each one may differ, so this | | | | symbolize their union. Kansar is a sweet made from |
| ceremony isn't an example of all ceremonies, but it | | | | crushed wheat, sugar and ghee. |
| gives you an idea of what one may be like. | | | | Mangal Sutra, Sindoor (Sacred Necklace) |
| The Hindu Wedding Ceremony | | | | The Mangal Sutra is a sacred necklace made from |
| The Hindu wedding ceremony is a long and elaborate | | | | black beads that the groom ties around the bride's |
| ceremony, with every step rooted in Vedic tradition, | | | | neck. This symbolizes their marriage. The groom then |
| signifying various aspects of life that is to follow | | | | applies sindoor in the center-parting of the bride's hair |
| after the wedding. The mandap - a canopy or | | | | as a promise to fulfill her every wish. |
| marriage stage - is decorated with flowers and with | | | | Akhand Saubhagyavati (Blessings) |
| a fire as witness, the Hindu wedding ceremony | | | | Married women from the bride's family and the |
| begins. | | | | groom's family come and bless the bride by |
| Var Aagman (The Groom's Arrival) | | | | whispering "Akhand Saubhagyavati" in her ear, which |
| The groom arrives for the wedding with his family | | | | means "Good luck, prosperity and a long happy life." |
| and they are all greeted by the bride's family. The | | | | Ashrivaad (First Blessing as Husband and Wife) |
| bride's mother then performs a welcoming ritual and | | | | The wedding has now concluded and the Maharaj, |
| leads the groom to the mandap. | | | | along with parents and elders of the bride and |
| Ganesh Pooja (Worshipping Lord Ganesh) | | | | groom's families, offer blessings for a long and happy |
| The wedding ceremony begins by offering a prayer | | | | married life. The bride and groom bend down to |
| to Lord Ganesh. Lord Ganesh is worshipped so he | | | | touch the feet of the Maharaj and their family elders |
| may remove all obstacles, blessing the bride and | | | | as a form mof worship known in the Hindu |
| groom. | | | | ceremony. |
| Kayna Aagman (The Bride's Arrival) | | | | Vidai (Farewell to the Bride) |
| The bride is escorted down the aisle to the mandap | | | | The Vidai is one of the most emotional parts of the |
| by her maternal uncles upon arrival. The bride's father | | | | ceremony. Now that the bride and groom are |
| takes her hand and leads her into the madnap. The | | | | married, she bids farewell to her family. She throws a |
| bride and groom are separated by the antarpat | | | | fistful of rice behind her shoulder wishing her |
| (curtain), which is lowered once the Mahraj (Priest) | | | | childhood home happiness and prosperity. |
| invokes a prayer for the couple. | | | | What I found most striking about the ceremony was |
| Kanya Daan & Hastamilap (Giving Away the | | | | that during all of the above steps, the atmosphere of |
| Bride) | | | | the ceremony remained lighthearted and joyous. The |
| In the Hindu religion, the Kanya Dann is considered | | | | Hindu priest joked and laughed during some of the |
| the most significant offering a bride's parents make. | | | | steps, while family and friends laughed along and |
| The Kanya Daan symbolizes the bride in the form of | | | | applauded. While there was a definite feeling of |
| Goddess Laxmi and the groom as Lord Narayana. | | | | reverence and sacredness, everyone wore smiles, |
| Here the bride's family displays the act of giving. | | | | too. It was a very happy occasion, too. |
| Jaimala (Exchanging of garlands) | | | | I'm very glad I took the opportunity to attend this |
| At this time, the bride and groom exchange fresh | | | | event and learn about the sacred ceremony of |
| flower garlands, signifying the acceptance of one | | | | another culture. I found it to be very inviting to |
| another and to pledge respect for one another as | | | | non-Hindus, and I was happy to take part in the |
| partners in life. | | | | ceremony. |