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Wording Set : 1 |
Welcome to Sharmin and Uday's wedding ceremony. The Hindu marriage ceremony is over 5,000 years old. The ceremony is performed in the presence of a sacred fire and an assembly of family and friends. Each act of the ceremony has a symbolic and spiritual meaning. Our ceremony will be performed in English and Sanskrit, the ancient, sacred language of India.
The priest chants Sanskrit mantras (hymns) from the Vedas (the Hindu Scriptures).
The Ceremony will be performed in the following sequence :
Baraat (Swagat)
The Arrival of the Groom Uday arrives at the hall accompanied by his family and friends who are singing and dancing in celebration of his wedding.
Var Puja & Milni
Sharmin's mom welcomes Uday with an auspicious red turmeric mark on the forehead called 'Tilak' and receives Uday with a welcoming ritual, Aarti. Uday then steps forward onto an earthen pot crushing it into many pieces. This demonstrates that Uday has the power to overcome all obstacles the couple may face in their married life. Uday is then escorted to the Mandap by Sharmin's Family.
Jutta Churai
Taking of the shoes The priest requests that Uday remove his shoes. Sharmin's family tries to steal Uday's shoes while Uday's family tries to guard his shoes. At the end of the day, if the bride's family is successful in stealing the shoes, Uday must offer his new family money or gifts to retrieve his shoes.
Kanya Agamana and Manglaashtaka
Arrival of Sharmin and request for blessings Sharmin is escorted to the mandap by her maternal uncles. The priest recites eight sacred vedic hymns (Manglaashtaka) to bestow upon the couple and to announce the arrival to Sharmin. The cloth is removed and the couple exchange flower garland to signify their acceptance of each other in marriage.
Kanya Daan & Hasta Melap
Giving of the Bride & Joining of the Hands Sharmin's father gives his daughter to Uday in marriage witnessed by the fire God. The Kanya Daan (Giving of the Bride) is the highest form of gift that parents can offer.
The ends of Sharmin and Uday's garments are tied together with betelnuts, copper coins and rice symbolizing the unity and eternal bond of marriage. The priest then kindles the fire, and the couple makes nine offerings to the fire to ask for the removal of darkness and ignorance.
Mangal Fera
Circling the Holy Fire Sharmin and Uday then circle the fire four times. The four rounds represent the four purposes of life: Dharma (spiritual way of living), Artha (prosperity), Karma (energy & passion) and Moksha (salvation). The bride, representing spiritual energy, completes the first three rounds. The groom completes the last round signifying balance and completeness. Sharmin's brother witnesses the rounds and places rice grains in her hands to signify that they will provide support and protection for their sister. At the end of the fourth round, there is a rush by the bride and groom to get to their seat. It is said that whomever sits down first rules the house ! |
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Wording Set : 2 |
Saptapadi & Saptapratignas
Seven Steps and Seven Vows
Sharmin and Uday now take seven steps together.
First Step - Together we live with honor and respect and provide the necessities of life for each other and our family members.
Second Step - Together we will develop mental, physical and spiritual balance.
Third Step - Together we will acquire wealth by righteous & proper means.
Fourth Step - Together we will acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony through mu-tual love and trust and respect for our elders.
Fifth Step - Together we will raise strong and virtuous children.
Sixth Step - Together we will exercise self restraint and longevity.
Seventh Step - Together we will be sincere, faithful and true to each other in sharing life's happiness and sorrows. We will be true companions, remain lifelong partners and gain salvation beyond this life.
Mangalsutra, Sindhoor Daan & Hirdaya Sparsha
Sacred Necklace & Proclamation of marriage Uday offers Sharmin lifelong protection by giving her Mangalsutra, a sacred necklace made of black and gold beads, and placing sindhoor (red powder) on the crown of her forehead. These two offerings signify the mark of a married woman and act as a symbol of Uday's devotion to Sharmin. The couple then feed each other sweets. Sharmin and Uday then place their right hand on each other's hearts signifying oneness in mind, body and soul.
Akhand Saubhagyavati Bhava & Ashirvad
Blessings of the Couple Several married women of the family approach Sharmin and whisper in her right ear, wishing her a long and happy married life. The couple then receives blessings from the priest.
We would like to thank you all for joining them in today's celebration and hope you enjoyed the day. |
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Wording Set : 3 |
Sapta Padi (Seven Steps)
It is established in Indian philosophy that if two people walk seven steps together, they will be lifelong friends. In the name of eternal friendship and symbolic of the seven marital vows, Aditi and Atit now take these significant seven steps around the sacred fire. They pledge the following: share responsibility, develop and maintain physical, mental and spiritual health, seek prosperity by righ-teous means, unity, strength, happiness and lifelong companionship.
Sindoor Dan and Mangalsutra (Sacred Necklace)
Atit now places Sindoor (dry, red vermilion powder) at the parting of Aditi's hair. He then clasps a sacred necklace, called a Mangalsutra, around her neck. Both of these symbolize his enduring com¬mitment to their marriage and represent the bride's new status as a married woman. Wedding rings are also exchanged at this time.
Kansaar (Offering of Sweets)
Aditi and Atit take turns feeding each other four times for the nourishment of the bones, muscles, skin and souls. The sharing of sweets symbolizes the sweet and joyful life that awaits them.
Saubhagyawati Bhava (Blessing the Bride)
Married female relatives whisper 'Good Luck' in Aditi's ear for a long married life filled with happiness and prosperity.
Ashirvaad (Showering of Blessings)
The couple seeks the blessings of the pandit, parents and elders. The guests wish the newly married couple happiness.
Mom and Dad: You have always been there for me to lean on and count on. I am so grateful for all the sacrifices you have made and the love you have given me. Thanks for always being there for me. Ripple and Samir: I always look forward to the weekends that you come to visit; it is so nice to spend time with both of you. Thank you for all your help and always being there for me to talk to. Ravi: I know you are not a baby anymore but in my heart you will always be my Ravibaby. You're the best brother a sister could ask for! Atit: 'Multiply it by infinity, take it to the depths of forever and you'll still only have a glimpse of how much I love you.' '. Love, Aditi
Mom & Dad: Thank you for everything you have done for me. I am lucky to have such wonderful, caring people as my parents, and I will forever be indebted to you both. Amit & Sumit: Thanks for all the fun we had growing up together, and for all the fun we continue to have together as adults. Aditi: You are the best thing to ever happen to me and I can't wait for us to begin our lives together'.. Love, Atit
Dear Family & Friends,
We are so glad that you were able to join us in celebrating one of the most auspicious events that will occur in our lifetime. We want to thank you for sharing in our happiness. Best, Atit & Aditi |
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Wording Set : 4 |
Mittul weds Nandita
August 23rd, 2008
Hindu Wedding Ceremony
The Hindu wedding ceremony is performed in Sanskrit as per the Holy Scriptures that date back to 5000 -3000 B. C. Each step of the ceremony has a deep philosophical and spiritual meaning and purpose. The bride, groom, the bride's parents and close family members participate with a priest performing the cer emony.
Var Ponke (The Welcome)
Nandita's mother and close family members greet Mittul by performing welcoming rituals. Mittul is welcomed with a Varmala (Garland) and is asked if he is prepared to make the life-long commitment of marriage. Mittul is requested to break an earthern pot representing the world.
Mittul is led to the Mandap, where the ceremony is performed. The Mandap is a canopy with four posts that represents the earth and its four directions, while the canopy represents the sky. A holy fire inside the Mandap is a symbol of light and purity and is an essential feature of the wedding ceremony.
Ganesh Puja (Prayer)
The priest begins the ceremony with an offering of prayers to Lord Ganesh to dispel difficulties, remove obstacles and bestow prosperity throughout life. Lord Ganesh is a symbol of peace, truth, friendship, brotherhood and happiness.
Kanya Aagman (Arrival of the Bride)
Nandita is escorted to the Mandap by her Mama or maternal uncle with great pride and joy. At the same time, Antarpat, a white curtain symbolizing traditional barriers is held between Mittul and Nandita. Once the Antarpat is removed, Mittul and Nandita exchange garlands. Nandita's parents then bestow a long cotton garland or Varmala on the couple as an acceptance of the union.
Kanya Daan (Giving Away the Bride) and Hasta Melap (Joining Hands)
Nandita's parents now formally give their daughter away by placing her right hand into the right hand of Mittul who replies graciously by accepting Nandita's hand in marriage. Mittul recites vows affirming that he takes Nandita as his wife. The joining of hands represents acceptance of each other and the end of the scarves worn by both are tied together symbolizing unity, prosperity and happiness.
Agni Pooja and Mangal Feral (Circling the Holy Fire)
This is an important part of the ceremony. Mittul and Nandita will circle four times around the fire to honor the four guiding principles:
Dharma ~ To discharge religious and moral duties
Artha ~ To gain prosperity and physical well being
Kama ~ To achieve fulfillment of good desires
Moksha ~ To receive the blessing of the Lord
For the first three rounds, Nandita will go ahead and Mittul will follow. In the final round Mittul will
lead and Nandita will follow.
Saptapadi (Seven Steps) and Saptapratigna (Seven Vows)
Mittul and Nandita take seven steps together making a promise at each step while they recite seven wed¬ding vows:
1. We will respect each other
2. We will care for each other
3. We will be patient with each other |
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Wording Set : 5 |
` Sacred Seven Steps `
Dhanesh with
Radha
With the promise to nourish each other, I take this first step with you.
With determination to grow together in strength physical, mental & spiritual, I take this second step with you.
With the promise to preserve our wealth & prosperity, I take this third step with you.
With the vow to serve you with happiness & harmony, I take this fourth step with you.
With the promise to care for our healthy long lived children, I take this fifth step with you.
With the vow to be together forever in all responsibilities, I take this sixth step with you.
With the promise of everlasting friendship and true companionship, I take this seventh step with you. |
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