Vivaaha or wedding ceremony is one of the sixteen samskaara or rites of passage in the life of a Hindu. It marks the initiation of the couple into the grihasta aashrama or householder phase of life – in order to attain dharma (righteous life), artha (wealth and prosperity) and kaama (fulfilment of natural desires). This institution of marriage, lived according to the laws of dharma, is an important step in the path to moksha (spiritual liberation).
The rituals in the wedding ceremony, conducted in the ancient Indian language Sanskrit, follow a framework dating back several millennia to the Vedic period, and reflect the timeless traditions of an ancient culture. Of particular note are several secular elements in the ceremony which describe the couple’s expectations from, and commitment to, each other – while highlighting the universal aspirations for companionship in this journey of life.
The exact rituals in a Hindu wedding ceremony tend to vary from region to region, but the core elements of the ceremony are based on Vedic tradition and are essentially similar. I have created a Hindu wedding “template” that includes the essential steps (as described below) with Sanskrit mantras accompanied by English explanation. This can be customized to suit individual family and regional customs/traditions, and can completed in 1-1.5 hours.
A typical wedding ceremony includes the following:
- Vara swaagata & archanaa: the Bride’s father welcomes and honors the Groom and his family.
- Kanyaa aagamana: the Bride is invited to the mandap as the embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of good fortune and prosperity).
- Jayamalaa: the Bride and Groom exchange garlands to indicate their choice and acceptance of each other as life partners.
- Kanyaadaana: the Bride’s parents perform the ritual of giving their daughter to the care of the Groom.
- Paanigrahana: the Groom formally accepts the Bride’s hand in marriage, and both of them vow to be faithful to each other. They express their expectations from married life by praying that their desire for good fortune, prosperity, children, sacrifice, righteous life and success be fulfilled.
- Vivaaha homa: the Bride and the Groom join together in offering ghee to the sacred fire, and ask for prosperity, security, health and happiness for themselves and their children.
- Laajaahoma: the Bride and Groom circle the sacred fire offering popped rice (laaja) and seeking blessings to unite them in a firm bond, to help them rise above selfishness and to consider the welfare of others. The Bride ascends a stone (asma) to pledge she will be firm like the stone in dealing with adversity.
- Saptapadi: the Bride and Groom take seven steps around the sacred fire and make seven vows which form a set of guiding principles for the life of a householder. The first step is taken for sustenance. The second step is taken for strength. The third step is taken for prosperity. The fourth step is taken for harmony. The fifth step is taken for children. The sixth step is taken for the seasons. The seventh step is taken for friendship.
The ceremony ends with extinguishing the sacred fire and ceremonial blessings of the new couple by the priest, elders and guests.