Essential Steps in The Vivaah Samskar

Essential Steps in the Vivaah Samskar (Hindu Marriage
Ceremony):
In Hindu culture, marriage is one of the most important sanskaras or rites
of passage that a Hindu observes during his or her lifetime. Briefly stated,
the marriage or the 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.
For a man and a woman, there are many ways to get

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 Ashwinikumar, as described in the RigVeda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures. After Ashwinikumar wins the
chariot race, Savita gives away the bride in a splendid ceremony. It is
written in Sanskrit, one of the oldest language in the world.
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 commiting 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 brides parents. The groom
and his family are the guests arriving from outside to the Mandap. The
ceremony revolves around the bride and her transition to the in laws
home. 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, brides
parents giving away the bride, the couple committing to marriage in front
of the sacred fire, brides transition to her in-laws 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.
Swagatam & Madhuperk- Welcoming Groom & his family

The Barat, the singing and dancing procession of the groom and his family, reaches the
wedding venue. The brides family welcomes them with Aarati and sweets, as a symbol of
happiness and good tidings to come and escort them to the wedding hall.
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.
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.
Kannyadaan - Giving Away the Bride
In the Brahma Vivaah, the highest form of Hindu marriage, Brides parents, give away the
Bride as one of the noblest acts they will perform in their lifetime. Bride and Groom then
commit to remain faithful to each other, while pursuing Dharma, Artha and Kama. Brides
mother pours holy water on brides fathers palms, which flows into Grooms and then into
Brides palms, symbolizing the continuity of life, repaying the debt to their forefathers and the
passing of the family heritage to the next generation.
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 others hands with blessings of
Heavenly Gods with a promise to stay together for the rest of their lives, symbolically tying each
others wrists with sacred thread which is called Sutrabandhanam.
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 !
Mangalsutrabandhanam Marriage Commitment to Each Other
Groom adorns Brides neck with the Mangalsutra, a necklace symbolizing good luck, love and
friendship. Groom applies kumkum on Brides forehead, now as a Soubhagyavati. Bride
applies chandan tilak on Grooms forehead, now as a Grahastha. With the wedding ring
exchange, they commit to support each other, in good times and bad times, in happiness and
sorrow, with unending love. They are joined together in a marriage knot by the Grooms sister or
mother, as a symbol of their permanent bond
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.
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
They circle the sacred fire four times, starting their transition into married life, supported by
Brides 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 Grooms 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.
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!
Items for Marriage Ceremony

Three pedestals called Bajat or Chowrang (~ 2 ft round or ~ 2x2-ft Square, ~ 8-12 inches high).
Mandap people will generally provide low profile platforms (chowrang). Pedestals are used for
Shri Ganesh, Kalash and Homa
Open Mandap (no front pillars) on Stage. (~ 12 ft deep, 24 ft wide) with side steps. If you
must have Mandap with pillars in front, make sure it is at least 12 feet wide.
Rug 12x15 ft to cover the floor, especially for outdoor venues if there is no stage (over tile,
grass etc)
Six Chairs for the bride, groom and parents. ( Mandap decorators should provide)
Antarpat- An auspicious cloth about 6 ft long X3 ft wide
Work with DJ to assure Clip on microphone (lapel preferred, mouth piece ok) for Pandit plus
one extra hand held or with stand for Mangalashtaka singers, if any.
2 medium size garlands one each for the bride and the groom Do not make
them heavy!
Loose flowers or rose flower petals - in four baskets. Two for the folks in the mandap; other two
for distribution to guests
Lahya (Puffed rice) and Akshata (rice grains with Kumkum / Halad) in one cereal size metal
bowl, each.
Sutra Red/Yellow sutra made of multiple soft cotton threads, in two pieces, each 1 foot ong.
Agarbatti and 2 Agarbatti holders on two stainless steel plates (to collect the ashes)
Halad, Kunku, Gandha (Chandan), each in three small metal bowls ( 2-3 spoons each)
10 Candles bout 1 inch dia/2 inch high With Candle holders to enclose the flames, Aluminum
Foil
About 10 table spoons of ghee of in a small metal bowl and a spoon for Homa
Shri Ganesh Idol and a Decorative Kalash with a coconut. Size of Ganesh Idol and Kalash
should big enough for audience to see--- about 12-18 inches high.
1 small Kalash, 1 metal bowl to collect water and 3-4 small towels for Kannyadaanam
Mangal sutra (Gold / beaded Necklace), Rings to be exchanged (if), Silver toe rings (if)
Bring them in a small decorated plate
A Tile ( ~ 8 by 8 inch) for Lahya Homa , Long matches
Agni Kund & Fire material (I will provide)
I light a very small fire, no bigger than 4-5 inches in Diameter, 5-6high with
flames. Some venues may not allow fires. Get Venue permission ahead of time
for the fire.!
Bride and Groom should wear something appropriate for tying the knot--- sari /dupatta / shawl
etc so that these can be loosely tied.
Welcome plate with Aarati, Kumkum( sindor) and sweets for Swagat
MISC items if needed based on the customized marriage steps.

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What are the essential steps in a Hindu marriage ceremony?

What is the significance of the seven steps taken by the bride and groom during the marriage ceremony?

Essential Steps in the Vivaah Samskar (Hindu Marriage

For a man and a woman, there are many ways to get

Swagatam & Madhuperk- Welcoming Groom & his family

Items for Marriage Ceremony

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