II WEDDING II
COMMENCEMENT OF WEDDING RITUALS
The groom is then escorted to the mandap where prayers are offered to Lord Ganesh first and then a brief ceremony takes place to honour the groom and sanctify the mandap under which the wedding ceremony will take place.
The bride then makes her grand entrance and is escorted to the mandap by her maternal uncles or brothers in a ceremony known as Kanya Agaman. A screen called the Antarpat is kept in front of the Groom separating him from the bride.
Jaimala:
Once the bride has settled down then the antarpat is lowered and the couple exchange garlands(Jaimala).
KanyaDaan:
The rituals begin with the kanyadaan. This ceremony is generally performed by the brides parents, under the priest's instuctions . Their folded hands reflect the hope that their son-in-law will take good care of their daughter and never cause her pain. They may wash the couple's feet, as they believe that the groom is none other than the Hindu God Lord Vishnu, to whom they are handing over his rightful consort, the Goddess Lakshmi in the form of their daughter. The following rituals make up the Kanyadan ceremony:
Granthibandhan, Varmala & Hasta Milap :
In this ritual, the groom's scarf or shawl is tied to the bride's saree, a long sacred cotton necklace called the Varmala is put around both their necks bonding them spiritually and the bride's right hand is placed in the groom's right hand.. This knot and the joined hands of the couple symbolise the union of two souls joined together in holy matrimony. The priest chants mantras to invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Parvati for the saubhagyavrata of the bride. The bride's parents bless the couple. Thus ends the Kanyadan ceremony.
Havan:
A sacred fire called the Havan is lit. Mantras are chanted inviting the various Deities to be present to witness the wedding. Agni the Fire God, being a symbol of light, energy and purity is regarded as the chief witness to the wedding.
Pheras:
The pheras or walking around the sacred fire. The couple goes around the fire as the priest chants mantras. Bridesmaids shower the couple with flower petals.Unlike many other Hindu weddings, a Gujarati Wedding has only four pheras called the Mangalpheras(steps around the sacred fire by the couple) where the pheras symbolize the four basic human goals of: Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha (i.e. religious and moral, prosperity, earthly pleasures and salvation).
Saptapadi:
The saptapadi which literally means seven steps is another vital part of the wedding ceremony. Seven Betel nuts (Sopari) are placed before the bride and groom. The Sapta Padi or the seven vows for married life are then recited by the couple while the groom helps the bride touch seven betel nuts with her right toe. Through these vows, the bride and groom seek each others support to make their married life a succesful and happy one.
Sindoor & Mangalsutra:
The groom places Sindoor (red powder) on the brides forehead & front hair-parting and places a necklace (called Mangalsutra) round her neck, a sign of his love and respect for her. Wearing a mangalsutra is a statement by the bride that she is a happily married lady.
Akhand Subhagyavati:
This is where married ladies come and whisper their blessings in the bride's right ear, wishing her a blissful married life.The number of ladies involved varies from community to community.
Blessings:
The couple are now married and seek blessings from the priest conducting the wedding, their respective parents and other elders present. They all give their blessings to the newly wedded couple for a happy, healthy and prosperous life together. And they live happily ever after!
Saptpadi (Main part of the wedding ceremony):
- In your grief, I shall fill your heart with courage and strength. In your happiness, I shall rejoice, and I promise you that I will please you always with sweet words and take care of the family and children.
- We promise that we shall discharge all responsibilities of the household life.
- You shall be the only person to whom I shall love and respect as my life partner. I will love you with single-minded devotion.
- I will decorate your life.
- I will share both in your joys and sorrows. Your love will make me trust and honor you. I will carry out your wishes.
- In all acts of righteousness, in every form of enjoyment and divine acts, we promise that we shall partcipate.
- As per God and Holy Scriptures, I have become yours. Whatever promises we gave, we have spoken in pure mind. We will be truthful to each other in all things. We will love, respect and honor each other and our marriage will be forever and ever.