Indian weddings have always been known for their grandeur and fun atmosphere , but when it comes to understanding the reason why the bride and groom perform the steps of the ceremony it’s a whole different ball game.
Weddings are a celebration of love and commitment, and can also a celebration of the couple’s religion and culture. Whether you’re invited as a guest, attending as a member of the wedding party, or are simply curious, the basis of a vedic Indian wedding ceremony that you may want to get familiar with
What to Expect at an Indian Wedding Ceremony
A traditional Hindu marriage ceremony is a sacred and vibrant event filled with various rituals and ceremonies that reflect the deep-rooted customs of Hindu culture. The ceremony is performed in a beautifully decorated wedding venue, under a Mandap, a canopy with four pillars symbolising stability in married life.
The wedding planning process includes intricate details such as wedding decor, religious rituals, and the coordination of pre-wedding rituals, ensuring that every step follows Hindu traditions. The arrival of the groom is an important moment, with his family formally welcomed by the parents of the bride in a grand procession.
As part of Hindu wedding rituals, the bride and groom exchange garlands, marking their acceptance of each other in marriage.
The ceremony begins by offering prayers for a strong marriage, led by either the bride or the groom, depending on regional customs. The mother of the bride plays a significant role, often presenting gifts to the bride as blessings. One of the most significant moments is when the parents of the bride formally give away their daughter in marriage by placing her hand in the groom’s. The groom accepts this responsibility, vowing to love and protect his wife.
The couple then take seven steps to symbolise the beginning of their journey together, a ritual performed on the fourth day in some Hindu communities. The final step signifies the lifelong commitment of the bride and groom. As the ceremony comes to an end, the welcoming of the bride into her new home marks the beginning of post-wedding ceremonies, celebrated differently across North Indian weddings and South Indian weddings.
Hare Krishna Temple Vedic Hindu Wedding Rituals To Married Life
The principle steps of a wedding ceremony in Hinduism are similar across India and globally where Hindu’s have settled. However, there may be slight variations due to family customs and regional traditions. The Indian wedding priest’s perceptive will play a small part too .
Step by Step Hindu Wedding Ceremony & Rituals in Hinduism
India is massive, so the traditional Indian Hindu weddings customs and rituals can vary slightly across the country. This is the main ceremony the groom and bride follow at a Hare Krishna Temple / Bhaktivedanta Manor wedding in Watford.
Below I have included images for vedic wedding ceremony from a recent wedding I photographed to make it easier to understand the various parts of the ceremony.
1. Ganesh Puja – Worship of Lord Ganesh by the bride.
2. Milni – This is to welcome the groom and his family as they arrive. Once the groom has taken his place, the bride, usually accompanied by her maternal uncle, is invited to take her place.
3. Anterapat – A cloth is placed between the couple. The Brahmin (priest) will perform the Sanskrit Mantra and the cloth will then be removed. Traditionally this is the first time the couple will have seen each other.
4. Introduction – This is a brief explanation of the meaning of a Vedic marriage.
5. Achaman – Holy water from the Ganges is used to cleanse and purify
6. Civil Marriage – Registration of Marriage
7. Kumbha Sthapana – The Brahmin (priest) invites Lord Vishnu to join the ceremony. He then explains the ‘definition’ of the marriage and its commitments as outlined in the Vedic Scriptures.
8. Sankalpa – The Brahmin announces where, when and between whom the marriage is taking place.
9. Hastamandap – The Brahmin performs the ceremony to unite both families
10. Kanyadan – This is the most important part of the ceremony. The Bride’s father gives her away to the Groom’s family. This is considered the greatest Dana (gift). The act is confirmed by the exchange of garlands between the bride and groom.
11. Havan – A fire Sacrifice (Havan) is performed by the priest
12. Purnahuti – Final offerings are made to the Sacrimonial fire
13. Mangal Fera – The fire (Havan) is considered the witness to the whole ceremony. The ceremony here consists of the couple walking around the fire four times, which represents the four aspects of life.
- – Dharma
- – Religious Duties Artha
- – Economic Development Kama
- – Fruitive Work Moksa
- – Liberation
14. Mangal Sutra – Similar to concept of the English Wedding Ring – a golden necklace is presented on a coconut by the Groom’s mother to the Bride.
15. Sindoor – The Husband puts red coloured vermilion / Kum Kum on the parting in the hair of the bride.
16. Saptapadi (Seven Steps) – The couple takes seven steps around the fire, each step representing a promise:
- Respect and honour each other
- Share happiness and sorrow
- Be loyal and trustworthy
- Value knowledge and service
- Strengthen family and love
- Follow dharma (righteousness)
- Stay together forever
17. Darshan – At this stage the curtains in the temple are opened to reveal the beautiful deities of Sri-Sri Radha Gokulananda, Sri-Sri Sita Rama Laxman Hanuman and Sri-Sri Gaura Nitai.
18. Kansar – This is an exchange of Sweets between the couple as a symbolic gesture that they will provide for each other’s needs and prosperity in their household life.
19. Ashirvad – Blessings from the bride and groom’s family that concludes the wedding ceremony.
Hindu Wedding Photography
This guide to Hindu wedding traditions is brought to you by Bipin Dattani, an Indian wedding photographer who has photographed 1000’s of traditional Indian events and Asian wedding ceremonies for the bride and groom since 2005.
If you’re interested in hiring me for your Hindu religion wedding day, my contact details are:
Bipin Dattani
Wedding photographer in Pinner, England
28 Hillview Rd, Pinner HA5 4PA
07930 324833