The traditional Hindu wedding customs originated centuries ago from the Rig Veda, the most ancient Hindu scripture. The ceremony is performed in Sanskrit, the most ancient surviving language. The ceremony is solemnized in the presence of God and the five elements of nature: Fire, Earth, Water, Air, and Light. The Hindu ceremony represents an eternal bond between the Bride and Groom.
Officiating Priest:
XXX
(Greater Baltimore Temple)

Barat
(Bridegroom’s Procession)

The Groom, accompanied by relatives and friends, arrives at the Bride’s doorstep. The Bride’s Mother performs welcome rituals. These rituals also serve to drive away evil spirits and protect the Groom. The Groom is escorted to the Lagna Mandap.

Ganesh Puja
Prior to the Bride’s arrival, blessings are invoked from the Lord Ganesh for the protection of all involved and the removal of all obstacles. Lord Ganesh is worshipped at all auspicious occasions because he is deemed to be the most benevolent of all Hindu deities.

Jai Mala Arpan
(Exchange of Garlands)
The Bride and Groom welcome each other by exchanging flower garlands. This gesture symbolizes the unifications of their hearts and the giving of their consent to marry each other.

Kanyadan
(Giving Away the Bride)
Panigrahan
(Holding of Hands)

The father presents the Bride. The father places his hand above the Groom’s hand and then places the Bride’s hand over his hand. The father symbolically offers the Bride to the Groom by removing his hand and leaving the bride’s hand in the Groom’s hand.
Holding each other’s hand, the Bride and Groom accept each other and exchange marriage vows. This also signifies that they will go hand in hand throughout their lives.

Granthi Bandhan
(Tying the Matrimonial Knot)

The Bride and Groom are united by yet another symbolic action of tying the matrimonial knot and strengthening further the bonds of love and an everlasting relationship.

Laja Homs
(Offering of Puffed Paddy)

The Bride’s brother gives her a puffed paddy which she offers into the fire to reaffirm her bond with the families and her prayer for the welfare of her husband and both families.

Mangal Fera
(Holy Rounds Around the Fire)

The Couple proceeds around the Holy Fire seven times as the priest chants blessings from God.

Sapta Padi
(Seven Steps)

According to Hindu scriptures the following seven steps are taken together by the Bride and Groom.

The first step is for providing for each other.

The second step is for sharing in good and bad times.

The third step for prosperity and devotion.

The fourth step for children and their well being.

The fifth step for care, trust, and honor.

The sixth step for self restraint and longevity.

The seventh step for eternal love and friendship.

Sindurdan
&
Mangalsutra

(Applying the Red Powder & Giving the Marital Necklace)
The Groom applies Sindoor (vermillion-red powder) to the Bride’s hair along the part, signifying the Bride as his wife. This is the sacred powder which confirms them as husband and wife. The Groom then places the Mangalsutra (black bead necklace) on the Bride.

Ashirvad
Blessings

The newly married couple is blessed with good wishes from parents, relatives, and friends.

Vidai
Farewell

This denotes the parent’s farewell to their daughter. The Bride now begins an important role in her life as a wife. The Bride throws a fistful of rice so that the house of her childhood remains prosperous and happy.
We would like to give special thanks to Panditji for performing our ceremony, and we’d like to thank our parents, families, and friends for sharing this special day with us. Thank you for your blessings as we begin our life together.
~ XXX and YYY

Introduction
According to our traditions and cultural beliefs, a person goes through 16 ceremonies from birth to death. Marriage is the 13th ceremony and the focal point of one’s life. It is the bringing together of two souls so firmly that after marriage although their bodies seem to remain separate, the souls in them are one harmonious whole as they embark upon a new life as husband and wife. The question of equality between men and women therefore does not arise, as they become spiritually one. Sages have declared that man is not man alone. He is the man, women and progeny.

Barat Procession
(Arrival of the Groom)
XXX arrives at the doorstep of his bride on a decorated white horse, with a procession of family and friends celebrating the joyous occasion.

Swagat
(Welcoming of the Groom)

Adhar and his family are welcomed by YYY family. YYY mother warmly greets XXX by offering red sandalwood (tilak) on his forehead and sacred flame (aarti), symbolizing the happiness and joy that will come from the joining of the Jain and Seth families.

Milni
(Meeting of the Families)

XXX and YYY relatives exchange flower garlands and coconuts as an expression of auspicious blessings between the two families. A Hindu wedding not only commits the bride and groom to each other for the rest of their lives, but also binds the family and friends of the couple to share in both joyful and difficult times. XXX and his family are then escorted by YYY family to the decorated mandap where the ceremony will take place. The mandap’s four pillars signify each of the four parents and the important role they have played in raising their children.

Kanyagaman and Jaiamala

(Arrival of the Bride and
Exchange of Garlands)
Following a procession of bridesmaids, XXX enters the mandap where she greets YYY and acknowledges him as her betrothed in the presence of everyone, by placing a garland around his neck. XXX then reciprocates this symbolic commitment. This exchange signifies their unification as one soul in two bodies.

Puja : Ganesh, Kalash, and Navagraha
(Invocation)

The priest (pundit) begins the wedding ceremony under the mandap, by invoking the blessings of God to accept our prayers, to bless the assembly of family and friends, and to bless the couple to be married. The mother of the bride is then requested to join the ceremony. The priest first worships Lord Ganesh, the remover of all obstacles and continues with invocations and offerings to the copper vessel (Kalash) containing sacred water, flowers, and a coconut symbolizing the universe. In this part of the ceremony, the five universal elements: earth, air, fire, water, and sky are worshipped. The nine planets of the solar system (Navagraha) are also invoked for their blessings.

Madhuparka Vidhi

XXX mother offers YYY a glass of a mixture of honey, yogurt, ghee and saffron (Madhuparka), which he accepts with a Mantra, the meaning of which is, “I will always cultivate in me the sweetness of the Madhuparka in all my dealings.

Kanyadaan and
Hastamelap
(Joining of the Hands)

In the Hindu way of life, a married woman is given a special status and respect in society. This is a very special moment for the bride, as she accepts her change of status from an unmarried girl to a wife. XXX mother gives away (Daan) her daughter (Kanya) to YYY, who affirms his commitment to the marriage. She jointly places XXX hand in YYY hand, symbolizing XXX acceptance of responsibility to love, respect, and protect YYY forever.

Granthibandhan
(Tying of the Knot)

The priest ties a knot to bind XXX and YYY for life. The ends of their scarves are tied together along with betel nuts, copper coins, and rice, signifying unity, prosperity, and happiness (Granthibandhan). The couple is advised to remember the Divine; look upon others with sympathy, love, and compassion; be strong and righteous; and show goodwill and affection toward each other’s families. Such are the teachings of Dharma, the right way of living.

Vivah Havan
(Lighting of the Fire)

XXX and YYY offer oblations to the sacred fire (Agni), who will serve as witness of the marriage. Together, they make offerings of crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar, rice, ghee, camphor, and twigs to the ceremonial fire, which symbolizes the removal of darkness and ignorance. Agni leads them to the world of everlasting light and knowledge.

Mangal Phera
(Circling the Divine Fire)

XXX and YYY go around the sacred fire seven times while mantras are chanted. XXX leads YYY three times around the Agni, making offerings to God each time. This represents a prayer for the mutual happiness, love, prosperity, and salvation with each circle. XXX then leads YYY four times around the Agni representing liberation or oneness with God. They throw grains in the sacred fire signifying that both will join together in performing the sacrifices and religious rites that the couple is required to perform throughout their married life. This demonstrates their determination to stand by each in all their joys and sorrows.

Saptapratigna
(The Seven Vows)

XXX and YYY take seven vows (Saptapratigna):

Together we will share in the responsibilities of home and children.

Together we will fill our hearts with strength and courage to accomplish all the needs of the home.

Together we will prosper and share our worldly goods.

Together we will fill our hearts with great joy, peace, happiness, and spiritual values.

Together we will raise strong and virtuous children.

Together we will remain lifelong partners by this marriage.

Together we will cherish each other in sickness and health, in happiness and sorrow, and we will follow the spiritual way of living (Dharma)

Sindoor Daan and
Ring Ceremony

YYY places red powder (sindoor), the traditional mark of a married woman (suhaagwati stree) in the parting of Kopal’s hair. Kopal and Adhar then exchange wedding rings to symbolize the continuity of their bond in marriage.

Ashirvad
(Blessings)

The newly united couple seeks the blessings of their parents and elders as they touch their feet. Then they are blessed by their family, relatives, and friends by being showered with fresh flowers to wish their love and prosperity in their marriage.
We are honored by your presence and would like to thank you for blessing XXX and YYY on this special occasion.
Jain and XXX Family