Hindu Vivah Sanskaar

Vivaah Sanskar is the transition from the first stage of life, devoted to education and learning,
to the second stage of life, devoted to building a household and raising children. The married
couple pursues Dharma, performing the righteous duty, Artha, the acquisition of wealth and
Kama, the enjoyment of natural desires. They lead a productive life of work, service and
enjoyment, fulfilling various duties and obligations towards themselves, their families and
society at large. In Hindu scripture, marriage is a sacrament with strong moral and ethical
values. It is meant to unite the bride and the groom firmly so that they essentially become one
in soul and spirit.

According to Ashwalaayan GrihSutra, for a man and a woman, there are eight different ways
of getting married; "Brahm Vivaah" is considered the highest form of marriage where we join
the bride and groom in matrimony with full consent and active participation of all family
members and friends. The ceremony is meant to integrate the lives of the marrying couple
across the two families and many generations, both horizontally and vertically.

The Hindu marriage ceremony is primarily based on the marriage of Surya, the daughter of
Savita (The Sun) to Soma, as described in the Rig-Veda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures,
written about 1500 BC. Savita gives away the bride to the groom in a splendid
ceremony. The ceremony is written in Sanskrit, one of the oldest language in the world and is
described in Grihya sutras, with many verses directly taken from Rigveda.

According to Grihya sutras, Panigrahan, Vivaah Homa, Laja Homa, Agni Pradakshina,
Ashmarohan, Saptapadi and Dhruv-Sapatarshi Darshan are the key steps of the ceremony.

Think of the actual wedding ceremony as if it were a romantic story, where the bride and the
groom come to the Mandap, separately, as if unknown to each other. Then they fall in love
and ask the parents' permission to get married. We explain them what the Hindu marriage
means and they accept the obligations that go with it. During the various rituals, the couple
commits to remain faithful to each other and repeat the pledge in front of the Fire God, the
Agni and all the witnesses. Then, they walk seven steps together committing to seven
marriage vows to each other, about their future life together. We all bless them and wish them
a very happy life and they leave the Mandap as a newly married couple!

The traditional hosts for the ceremony are the bride’s parents. The groom and his family are
the guests arriving from outside to the Mandap. The ceremony depicts the transition for the
Bride and the Groom, from the first stage of their lives, Brahmacharyashram, to the second
stage of their lives, Grahasthashram. It takes you thru the logical steps of first meeting of the
bride and the groom, their decision to get married, bride’s parents giving away the bride, the
couple committing to marriage in front of the sacred fire, bride’s transition to her in-law’s
home, the couple taking the seven vows and the friends and families blessing the newly
wedded couple.
Following are the essential steps of the ceremony. They will be customized to each specific
wedding and the overall program will be distributed at the ceremony.

1. The Mandap (4-pole canopy center-stage) is set up

2. Arrival of the wedding parties
 3. Ganesh Puja - Prayer invoking Lord Ganesh
4. Grah Shanti - Worship of the nine-planets
5. Parchan - The Welcome - The bride's mother welcomes the groom with a garland
and escorts him to the mandap
6. Arrival of the Bride - The bride is escorted to the mandap by her brother, female
cousins & friends
7. Garlands- garlands exchanged by Bride and Groom.Note: Bride places the garland
first as it is her choice.
8. Kanyadaan - Entrusting of the Daughter - parental consent for the wedding to
proceed. Family rituals are completed.
9. Ganthibhandan Elders wrap cotton cord around couple's shoulders
10. Paanigrahan - Groom takes bride's hands & they take vows to love, cherish &
protect each other.
11. Agni Puja - Priest sets up the "kund" and evokes the holy fire
12. Laja Homa - Couple place parched rice in the sacred fire
13. Mangalfera - Walking around the sacred fire four times reciting the 4 mantras:
14. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha
15. Shilarohana - Bride steps on the stone
16. Saptapadi - The seven steps
17. Sindoor Daan - The groom blesses the bride with red Sindoor in her forehead under
cover of sheet in private.
18. Aashirvaad - The priest blesses couple. Flower petals & rice are showered on couple
by the guests
19. Viddai - Bride's family & friends say their farewell to her.

Wedding Starts.
Swagatam & Madhuperk- Welcoming Groom & his family
The Barat, the singing and dancing procession of the groom and his family, reaches the
wedding venue. The bride’s family welcomes them with Aarati and sweets, as a symbol of
happiness and good tidings to come and escort them to the wedding hall.

Dwar Pooja- Upon arrival of the Groom, the Bridal party shall meet the Groom's party
and do ritulastic greetings at the entrance. A small poojan is performed at the entrance where
the Groom and the Brides father or brother shall do the poojan together to ensure all Grah
shanti is performed and blessings from the Bhoomi Devi is achieved for the ceremony.

Shri Ganesh Prayers & Poonyahvachanam

After all are seated, we start the ceremony with prayers to Lord Ganesh to bless this occasion
and make the marriage ceremony free of obstacles. We solicit the blessings of elders and our
forefathers, and pray for this to be an auspicious day for the marriage ceremony.

Varpoojan - Bride's father welcomes the groom in the mundap and performs the prayers.
Here the Groom is accorded the respect and seat in the Mundap. The varpoojan is performed
by brides parents, here the feet of Groom is washed by Bride's parents and accorded full
respect as is offered to lord Vishnu.
Vadhu Aagman – Arrival of the Bride
Bride is brought to the mandap typically by her maternal uncle, along with bridesmaids, and
grooms’ men. An antarpat, an auspicious cloth, separates Bride and Groom as a symbol of
their separate existence prior to the marriage.

Mangalashtakam & Sankalpa - Mutual Approval

After the Mangalmantras are recited, Bride and Groom garland each other, indicating their
mutual approval to proceed with the ceremony. The Pandit explains them the objectives of
the Vivaah Samskar and then they propose to marry each other and enter the
Grahasthashrama as a married couple.

According to Hindu philosophy, a successful life requires the pursuit of Artha, Kama,
Dharma and Moksha.
Artha earning and wealth
Kaam is enjoying your natural desires.
Dharma is doing your righteous duty to uphold the natural laws.
Moksha is a spiritual journey towards Self Realization.

Thus, by committing to Artha, Kaam and Dharma and following a spiritual life, you will
bring stability, continuity, prosperity and happiness, not only to your lives but to the society
and future generations as well. The Grahasthashrama you are about to enter, is the real
backbone of all Societies.

Kannyadaan - Giving Away the Bride

In the Brahma Vivaah, the highest form of Hindu marriage, Bride’s parents, “give away” the
Bride as one of the noblest acts they will perform in their lifetime. The bride is often led to
the mandap by a brother or uncle, where the groom waits with the bride's parents. The bride's
parents offer their daughter in marriage in a pious and solemn ritual called kanyadan. They
wash the feet of the bride and groom with milk and water, purifying them for their new life
together. The bride and groom hold their hands open, and the father of the bride holds his
open palm over their hands. The mother of the bride then pours water over her husband's
hand, which subsequently falls on the hands of the bride and groom. Bride and Groom then
commit to remain faithful to each other, while pursuing Dharma, Artha and Kama. Bride’s
mother pours holy water on bride’s father’s palms, which flows into Groom’s and then into
Bride’s palms, symbolizing the continuity of life, repaying the debt to their forefathers and
the passing of the family heritage to the next generation.

Bride's parents:
Today, the bride is Laxmi and the groom is Vishnu. By joining their hands in marriage, we
will repay the debt to our forefathers by continuing the next life cycle.

Bride and Groom to each other:

While pursuing Dharma, Artha and Kama, I will always remain faithful to you.
Akshatropanam & Panigrahanam (Hastmelap) –Expectations from
Married Life
The Bride and the Groom communicate their expectations of married life and show their
consent by showering rice on each other. Bride requests his support for a healthy and
prosperous family life. Groom requests her support in pursuing Dharma and for her
cooperation in his various endeavors for a successful life. They accept each other’s hands
with blessings of Heavenly Gods with a promise to stay together for the rest of their lives.

 I take thy hand in mine, yearning for happiness

 I ask thee, to live with me, till both of us, with age, grow old
 Know this, as I declare, that the Gods have bestowed thy person, upon me
 That I may fulfill, my Dharma of the householder, with thee !

Vivaah Homa – Worshipping the Sacred Fire

Vivaah Homa is the start of the Grahasthashrama for the couple. The couple lights the Agni,
the holy fire that symbolizes light, power and knowledge, and acts as a witness to the
ceremony. Agni is "Grihpati", the lord of the home and the symbol of a happy and
prosperous married life. Bride and Groom repeat the sacred pledge of marriage and request
Agni to be the messenger for their prayers to various Gods, for Santati (children), Sampatti
(wealth & prosperity) and Deergharogya (long & healthy lives).

Laja Homa & Agni Pradakshina -Starting the Marriage Journey

This step has four major aspects.
 First, the groom prays for a very smooth transition for the bride, from her parent’s
home to your home.
 Secondly, he poetically describes the complimentary relationship of their married life
together. As the sky to the earth, as the song to its verse, as the Purush to Prakruti.
He asks her to be his sahadharmcharini- a complimentary and equal partner in pursuit
of Artha, Kaama and Dharma.
 Thirdly, he tells her to be as strong and as firm as the stone she ascends to face all the
potential difficulties in their married life.
 Finally, this step designates that the bride will always have a pathirakha, a guardian, a
person,who will always look after her future well being! Traditionally, it is the brother
or sister of the bride.

They circle the sacred fire four times, starting their transition into married life, supported by
Bride’s brother, as her lifelong supporter. As they circle the fire, Groom poetically describes
to Bride their complementary relationship.

 I am the sky, you are the earth.

 I am the thought, you are the speech.
 I am the fire and you are the fuel.
 I am the song, you are the verse;
 I am the ocean, you are the shore.
 I am the strength but you are the beauty.
 I am the Purush, and you are my Prakriti.
Let us live together lovingly & bring up our progeny. Let us lead a joyful life of a hundred
years. Please ascend this stone and be as firm throughout our married life.

After the Agni Pradakshina, the Bride moves to the left side of the Groom; indicating her
transition to the Groom’s family.

Saptapadi – Taking the Marriage Vows with Seven Steps

The couple takes seven steps together to reiterate their aspirations of their married life.
 With the first step, we will provide for and support each other.
 With the second step, we will develop mental, physical & spiritual strength.
 With the third step, we will share the worldly possessions.
 With the fourth step, we will acquire knowledge, happiness and peace.
 With the fifth step, we will raise strong and virtuous children.
 With the sixth step, we will enjoy the fruits of all seasons.
 With the seventh step, we will always remain friends and cherish each other.

Saptarshi-Dhruv Prarthana:
Traditionally, the groom shows the Big Dipper and the North pole to the bride at night and
then prays for a very close and stable marriage. It is done symbolically during the ceremony.
The Big Dipper constellation is composed of seven bright stars which are called the
Saptarshis, the seven sages, which are our ancestors. If you closely look at the middle star of
the handle, you will actually see a Binary star, a two star system, each revolving around the
other! They are Sage Vashistha and his wife Arundhati. Arundhati is regarded as the epitome
of chastity, conjugal bliss and wifely devotion. Just like that binary star, the couple should
revolve around each other for the rest of their lives!

If you draw a straight line from the last two stars of the ladle Northwards, you will see the
North Star or Dhruv. The couple prays that their marriage be as stable as the North Star.

Ashirvad – Blessings
We all offer our blessings to the couple for long and happy lives together. After being
declared as Husband and Wife, Groom and Bride bow to all invited guests and leave the
mandap as a newly married couple as the guests shower them with flower petals.

 May you fully support each other, in the journey of your life!
 Let your lives be one, one soul residing in two bodies.
 May your lives be woven together, with a strong fabric of, love, harmony and peace!
 Lead a full life of joy, with family, friends and children!
May God bless you!

Some Indian Traditional Wedding inportance

1 The Magnificent Mandap
The mandap is an Indian version of an altar, and the stunning centerpiece of a Hindu wedding
ceremony. It's made of four pillars, often adorned in flowers, draping and candles. Each pillar
is believed to represent the parents of the bride and groom, and personifies the important role
the parents have played in raising the couple.
2 Hiding the Shoes, or Joota Chupai
This is one of our very favorite Indian wedding traditions. The goal is for the bride's female
relatives to steal the groom's shoes once he takes them off for the ceremony. Joota Chupai is
a really fun game that gets everyone to show their mischievous sides. Plus, it's a fantastic way
for the bride's female relatives to make a little cash off the groom, since he'll inevitably admit
defeat and offer money in exchange for his kicks. This game is meant to show the open hearts
and playfulness of both sides of the family and how they'll share a lifetime of fun and
adventures together.
3 Seven Steps Around the Agni (or Holy Fire)
The Hindu priest lights the sacred fire of the Agni. The Agni symbolizes the presence of God
as a witness to the ceremony. The couple take seven steps around the sacred fire, keeping in
mind the seven important vows to their partner. Once the rounds have been completed, there's
a thrilling race to see who'll take a seat first. It's said that whoever sits down first will rule the
house.
4 Tying of the Mangalsutra
At Indian weddings, "tying the knot" takes on a literal meaning when the groom ties
the mangalsutra around his bride's neck. By placing the mangalsutra, or sacred necklace
made of black and gold beads, on his bride, the groom offers her lifelong protection. The
necklace signifies the bride's status as a married woman and the couple's devotion and
commitment to each other.

Compiled by:

Pt. Prakash Maharaj

Hindu Minister of Religion
Phone: 0414302514.
[email protected]