The Hindu religion is as old as the world itself. Is scriptures are the oldest religious literature in existence.

Sanskaras

Sacraments are the ritualistic aspect of the Hindu religion. They are designed to build a solid foundation of righteous living and are known as Sanskaras in Hindu literature. Their purpose is to create and develop a religious and spiritual outlook in life.

The Hindu Dharma (religion) has instituted sixteen different Sanskaras, to coincide with different phases in life from conception to death. Of the sixteen Sanskaras in Hinduism, the sacrament of marriage or Vivaha Sanskara is the most important.


Archan and Archyadan

This is the welcome ceremony for the bridegroom and his party by the threshold ceremony. The bride’s parents, close relatives and friends warmly welcome the party, the priest in charge chants mantras of blessing and welcome.

The threshold ceremony requires the bride’s mother to receive and bless the groom by marking a red Tikka (dot) on the groom’s forehead with Kankoo (red powder) and uncooked rice stuck onto it. She sprinkles rice and Kankoo on the groom and then bless him with the palms of both hands stretching them close to the groom’s head.

Now the priest and the bride’s parents lead to the party to the stage. All the other members are seated in the hall to witness the ceremony.

Madhuparka

To the accompaniment of the ceremonial mantras by the priest, the bride’s parents welcome the groom by invoking the God’s blessing and then offering the groom a drink of honey, ghee (clarified butter), curd, water and sugar for good health. The origin dates back thousands of years when Rishis and Sages of India used it as a way of welcoming guests.


Kanyadan

Kanya means daughter and Dan means giving away. As the priest chants Sanskrit verses, the audience is notified that the parents have willingly expressed their wish and consent by requesting the groom to accept their daughter as his bride.

As soon as the groom accepts, the bride’s parents place their daughter’s right hand into groom’s right hand to complete this part of the ceremony. The parents now bestow their blessings on the couple and pray to God to shower his choicest blessings on them.

The bride and groom are now on the threshold of a new life. They now pray for blessings from Almighty God and their elders for the new life that they are about to enter.


Panigrahan

Pani means hand and Grahan means clasping. The bridegroom takes the brides hand in his own and recites mantras pertaining to the solemn vows, with the help of the officiating priest.

He promises her that he will look after her and will be her true friend, benefactor and counsellor and that he will always remain faithful to her and their children to be born. He will lead to righteous and virtuous life with her as his partner.

The bride in turn acknowledges these vows and promises to reciprocate and assist in keeping these vows for their mutual benefit.

Hawan (Yagan)

The bride and groom place offerings in a sacrificial fire. Fire symbolises the idea of offering or sacrificing one’s own things for the welfare and benefits of others- the same way as it provides heat and light for others.

The bride and bridegroom pray to God for spiritual and physical strength to endure the life of dedication in order to contribute their share to the welfare to the public.

Their souls now become united under one common bond for all time.


Lajaahom

Lajaa means popped rice or barley and Hom means Havan, Yagna or sacrificial fire.

In this part of the ceremony, offerings of parched popped rice are cast into the sacrificial fire. The bride and groom move closer to the Havan Kund, facing east.

The bride stands to the right of the groom and places her palm on his.

The bride’s mother or brother assists them to perform this part of marriage ceremony.

Ghee is sprinkled into the palms of both the bride and groom followed by popped rice and ghee again. The priest recites three mantras initially and at the conclusion of each a portion of popped rice is offers on the fire. The balance of the popped rice and ghee is offers at the end with the recital of ten mantras.

This joint offering in the sacred fire signifies partnership and the undertaking of joint responsibility in family and social affairs.


Pradakshina, Mangal Fera

This is an auspicious and important part of the ceremony. It consists of circling around the sacred fire four times. This aspect of the ceremony and the one that follows, Saptapadi, constitute the most important part, in as much as it legalises the marriage according to the Hindu custom and tradition. These two aspects of the ceremony establish an indissoluble matrimonial bond between the couple.

In the first three rounds, the groom leads the bride as they circle together around the sacred fire, and in the last round the position is reversed. In each round an appropriate mantra is recited which expresses noble sentiments in relation to their future matrimonial life.

The Hindu religion emphasises enjoyment of life as well as the discharging of family, social and national responsibilities.

In a joint endeavour God’s blessing and help are sought, loyalty to each other is emphasised, and a promise to keep in mind the well being and care of the children is made.

In the last round, the bride promises to lead her life according to the tenets of the Hindu religion, namely Satya and Dharma (truth and devotion to duty). She will also always ensure that the groom can rely on her to carry out her family, religious and household duties.
The groom then places his hand on the brides head and states henceforth that she will be his wife and he will shield her against any danger or harm.


Marriage Knot

At this stage, one end of the sash-like cloth worn by the groom is tied to the end of the brides garment, signifying the progression of events leading to their joining in marriage and virtuous life with her as his partner.

The bride in turn acknowledges these vows and promises to reciprocate and assist in keeping these vows for their mutual benefit.

Saptapadi- Vidhi

Now follows the ceremony of seven steps. Sapta means seven and Padi means steps. Before the wedding the couple had lived in separate families, and now they become united in holy matrimony.

Seven forward steps in succession are taken. A mantra is chanted at each step. Each step has significance. Some express intentions and normal sentiments and some seek God’s blessings and assistance.

The bride now takes her rightful place at the left side (heart side) of her groom as the marriage is righteously solemnised in its entirety. Now the main marriage ritual is complete, the couple are husband and wife. United they are now enter wedded life.

In the last symbolic right, the couple make offerings of food with the chanting of mantras. Having done that, the couple give a morsel food to each other from the residue of the offering, this being symbolic expression of mutual love and affection.

Thus ends the description of the resplendent, significant and sublime Hindu marriage ceremony, full of inspiration and spiritual consent. The newly married couple are now ready to receive the blessing of their elders and good wishes from all present.




May we wish the bride and groom every happiness for their future in married life.