Wedding Rituals

Barath
In a Hindu wedding, "Bharath" refers to the groom's procession to the wedding venue. It is a celebratory
event where the groom, often accompanied by family and friends, arrives with music, dancing, and
festivities.
Gowri Puja & Pradhanam
Gauri Puja, is primarily a Telugu wedding ritual during which Bride pray to the Goddess Parvati.
Aarti and Tilak
The bride’s mother performs an aarti (a ceremonial offering of light) and applies a tilak (Kumkuma) on
the groom’s forehead as a sign of welcome.
Vara Aagaman – The Arrival of the Groom
Vara Aagaman signifies the groom's formal entry into the wedding venue after the Bharath procession.
As the groom walks in with his groomsmen or Family and Friends. This ceremony marks the official start
of the wedding rituals and symbolizes the union and mutual respect between the two families.
Ganesha Puja
Ganesha Puja is also called Maha Ganapathi and is the remover of obstacles. Maha Ganapathi is first
worshipped before the commencement of wedding rites.
The groom prays to Lord Ganesh to bless him with wisdom and knowledge and to “enable him to
overcome all obstacles.”
Punyaha vachanam for Purification
This is a purificatory rite which renders the site and its environs sacred for conducting the ceremony.
Vara Puja
The word "Vara" means groom, and "Puja" refers to a ritual of worship or reverence. This ritual is
dedicated to honoring the groom.
Kanya Aagaman – The Arrival of the Bride
Kanya Aagaman is the Bride’s arrival to the Mandap to start the wedding rituals. Kanya Aagaman literally
translates to ‘the arrival of the bride’. She is escorted to the Mandap by her maternal uncle and aunt,
signifying the acceptance of the union from the maternal side of the Bride’s family. Depending on which
part of India the family is from, the Bride’s sisters, friends, and cousins join the procession to the
mandap.
Kanyadanam
The parents of the bride give their daughter to the groom and ask him to take care of their daughter as
they have. The groom accepts this honor. The bride and groom join hands and “together they take a
solemn pledge in the presence of God. They declare that their hearts have been united and that they
have become one. They take an oath to remain entirely devoted to each other.”
Sumuhurtham
The bride and the groom sit on opposing sides. At the astrologically determined moment the bride and
groom place, each on the other’s head, a ball of ground cumin seeds and brown sugar, signifying their
willingness to accept the groom. “The slightly bitter cumin and the sweet sugar when ground together
turn into an inseparable mixture indicating that the bride and groom is to become inseparable through
life’s bitter and sweet times. The screen between them is removed signifying that the two separatee
individuals are united in marriage.”
Varmala Ceremony
The Varmala Ceremony, also referred to as Jaimala, is the commencement of the Hindu wedding. The
bride and groom stand facing each other, and the exchange of garlands takes place. The garlands are
often made of flowers, and the act of exchanging them signifies the acceptance of each other as life
partners.
Granthi Bandhanam
During this particular ceremony, the couple is tied together before embarking on the signature Mangal
Phere ceremony. Granthi Bandhanam quite literally translates from Sanskrit into ‘tying of the sacred
knot’. The Bride’s brother ties a white cloth to the Bridal sari and the other end is draped over the
Groom’s shoulder. The knot symbolizes the unity between the two families, bonding as one.
Agni Puja
Inviting God Agni to witness. The scare fire is lit to symbolize purity and source of universal energy. The
bride and groom jointly offer ghee, flowers, sweets to Agni devote, the holy fire, to signify the spirit of
sacrifice, and lifetime partnership.
Mangal Phere
Mangal Fera (also referred to as Mangal Phere) consists of the couple taking seven circles, or ‘feras’
around the agni (sacred fire).“symbolic of the seven marital vows, with Agni as the witness. They take
the seven steps around the sacred fire as they recite hymns and take the following vows:
1. We will attain natural comforts.
2. We will develop physical, mental, and spiritual strength.
3. We will increase our wealth through righteous means.
4. We will acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony by mutual love and trust.
5. We will be blessed with strong and virtuous children.
6. We will perform our duties for the prosperity of the community.
7. We will be true companions and remain life-long partners.
As the couple takes seven steps together they are expressing their devotion to each other for life.”
the bride leads the groom on the first Five pheras, while the groom takes over for the Sixth and final
step – signifying balance and completion in their marriage. When the couple makes their last round
together, they rush back to their seats, racing to sit down first. As part of the tradition, it is said that
whoever takes their seat first will be the ruler of the household.
Sindoor
Symbol of marriage. The Groom place vermillion (red powder) on bride’s forehead, to symbolize that
she is now a married woman.
The Ritual of Laaja Homam
This ritual takes place towards the end of the ceremony and is often not included depending on whether
or not the specific region celebrates it. Laaja Homam translates to ‘the offering of puffed rice to the
sacred fire’ from its Sanskrit origins. During this stage of the Hindu marriage, the bride offers rice with
the help of her brother wishing her husband a long life and for the proliferation of their family. The bride
is not allowed to offer the rice with her own two hands and therefore is helped by her brother or closest
male relative.
Mangalya Pooja
The Mangalasuthram is passed around to the assembled guests for them to bless it.
Mangala Sootra Dharanam
The groom ties the mangalasuthram (auspicious thread) around the bride’s neck. “The 3 knots signify
the three thrimoorthis (Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva). The couple exchange rings” and
exchange garlands.
Panigrahanam
Bride and groom hold hands and agree that they will pursue the purusharthas – the four ends of human
existence – Dharma, Artha, Kaama, and Moksha.
Akshataropanam (Talambralu)
Bride and groom shower on each other turmeric colored rice, desiring happiness, enjoyment, and
contentment
Naga Valli & Mettelu
Holding the bride’s left foot toe, the bridegroom then helps her tread on a grindstone called “
Sannikallu” kept on the side of the fire. The manthras say: "Mount up this stone. Let thy mind be rock-
firm, unperturbed, by the trials and tribulations of life" and when it is finished, the groom adorns the
bride's toes with “METTELU” silver rings.
Arundhati Darsanam
Dhruva and Arundhati constitute a constellation of illustrious stellar spirits who symbolize steadfastness,
fidelity and loyalty in marriage, and the couple pray to them for inspiration and guidance.
Mangala Harathi
“The ceremony concludes with harathi (camphor light). The mangala harathi signifies the successful
completion of the ceremony and wishes the couple harmony and prosperity.”
Aseervadam By Family And Friends
“The priest, family members, and wedding guests bless the couple with long life, happiness, and
prosperity by sprinkling them with grains of tumeric colored rice.”
Bidai/Vidai
With hearts both heavy and full of joy, the bride's family lovingly bid farewell to their cherished
daughter. As she steps into a new chapter of her life with her husband, their emotions swirl—pride for
the woman she's become, sadness at seeing her go, and deep hope that her future will be filled with
love and happiness. This bittersweet moment is a testament to the deep bonds they share, and the
unspoken wish that her new life will be as beautiful as the love they've always given her.