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Aasan se Satkar

Jal Se Satkar

Once the bride and groom have entered the 'mandap' the Vedic rites begin, the bride gives the groom water three times. The first

time he sprinkles it in his feet, the second time he sprinkles it all over his body and the third time he drinks the water.

Madhupark Se Satkaar

Madhupark se Satkaar is a part of the aforesaid ritual. It has the bride offering a mixture of curd, gee and honey to the

groom.Curd, ghee and honey, all are considered to be good for one's health. Besides, these edibles are believed to be auspicious

and impart good effects to whatsoever associated with it.

'Madhuperk' is a mixture of curds, 'ghee' or clarified butter and honey. The groom sprinkles a little bit of this in all directions and

then eats it three times.

Godan

Godan is a very common ritual where a calf is given away as alms to a Brahmin. Godan is regarded as a matter of gaining great

return for your deed. It is one of the most sacred rites of the Hindus.

Kanyadaan: Giving away the bride :

Giving away the bride The bride's parents offer their daughter's hand in marriage to the groom and he accepts it.

Pratigya Mantra

Pratigya Mantra is a a ritual solemnizing the marriage. The husband makes six marital vows holding his wife's hands. These vows

make the marriage strong and sacred.

Purohite Niyukti

Thread Ceremony

Thread ceremony is very common among Hindus. It is a rite where the groom is made to wear a sacred thread. The initiationceremony of a boy from one of the top three varnas (classes) into the first of the traditional stages of life of the twice born Hindu.

The Arya Samaj wedding ceremony is performed with the fire and other elements as the witnesses since they don't believe in idol

worshipping. In an Arya Samaj wedding the mantras, which are chanted are translated into a language that the couple can

understand this makes the wedding ceremony all the more special as the couple can relate themselves to the meaning and

significance of the wedding mantras. This wedding is different from the traditional Hindu wedding in the sense that it does not

involves elaborate rituals and the ceremony is not extended over a long period of time. Simplicity is the main essence of Arya

Samaj wedding. The wedding ceremony lasts for an hour or so and the wedding expense is very low compared to the normaltraditional Hindu wedding.

Havan : Lighting the sacred fire

To invoke the blessings of 'Agni' or the God of Fire, the 'pujari' lights a sacred fire or 'havan' to the chanting of Vedic mantras.

There are two types of 'havans' - the 'sadharan' (ordinary) or 'vishesh' (special). The 'vishesh' havan is the chanting of mantras and

praying to all the 'Divyashaktis' or forms of God. The main 'prarthana' or prayer during the lighting of the 'havan' is the 'prarthana'

of 'grahast jivan' (married life).

Vishesh Havana

Vishesh Havana is a special yagna (fire sacrifice) performed by the priest as per the Arya Samaj rites. Yagna is a must in majority

of the Hindu marriages. The fire lit in yagna is in actuality the agni god who as a god and matter is meant to purify the couple and

be an witness to the sacred ceremony of marriage. Fire is the purest of all elements of nature, hence a vow taken in front of the

fire is always regarded as very strong and unbreakable.

Pani Grahan Sanskar : The groom vows to look after his wife

The groom stands up and takes his bride's hand in his and chants mantras, promising to look after her till her old age and keep her

happy at all times. He accepts her as his 'poshya' (meaning that he will provide for all her needs). The bride and groom now takeone 'parikrama' (circumvention) around the fire.

Shilarohan : Using the rock as a symbol of permanence

The bridegroom chants a 'mantra' and the bride's mother places her daughter's right foot on a stone. The rock is a symbol of

stability, permanence and firmness. The bride's position in the groom's home is now permanent and together, the couple will face

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all of life's challenges like two solid rocks.

Lajahom : Sacrifice offered to the sacred fire

'Laja' is puffed rice, a symbol of prosperity. The bride's brother stands behind the couple while the couple faces each other. The

bride places both her hands into the groom's and her brother then puts the puffed rice into them. Together they offer this 'laja' as

an 'ahuti' or sacrifice into the fire amidst the chanting of mantras. This ritual is performed three times and each time the mantras

chanted have a different meaning.

Parikrama : Circumventions around the sacred fire

The couple goes around the sacred fire four times, each 'parikrama' (circumvention) strengthening the bond between them. The

first three times the bride must lead the groom, as she is the embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi. It is only after the fourth

'parikrama' that she becomes the 'ardhangani' (wife) and is now her husband's responsibility. After the completion of the'parikramas' the 'pujari' ties the bride's sari 'pallav' to the groom's 'angavastra' (a scarf tied around the shoulders), with three knots.

Saptapadi : Seven steps around the sacred fire

These are seven steps taken by the bride and groom together, each step has significance. After the 'saptapadi' the couple takes one

'parikrama' around the fire together with neither of them leading.

Sprinkling water on the couple : Invoking blessings from deities

Older members of the groom's family sprinkle water on the couple while four 'mantras' are chanted by the 'pujari'. These prayers

are recited to invoke the blessings of all the deities in the couple.

Suryanamaskar

Suryanamaskar is an indigenous rite, in which people pray to the Sun with folded hands. Sun is the source of all living creation on

earth. Hence, he is also regarded as god. The newly married couple pray for good health and prosperity for their conjugal life.

Hriday Sparshmantra : Vows taken

The bride and groom place one hand on each other's hearts and chant 'mantras' together. The meaning of these 'mantras' is - ' I am

installing you in my heart from this day onwards; I will be loyal to you; this alliance is made in Heaven; let us ask the Almighty

for His blessings'

Sindoor : The groom applies vermilion on the bride

'Sindoor' or vermilion powder is the sign of a married Hindu lady. The groom applies 'sindoor' in the center parting of the bride'shair and also ties the 'mangalsutra' around her neck. The bride and groom feed each other sweets and the 'mantras' chanted at this

time hold good for both and are not one sided. It is not only the wife's duty to ensure that her husband is fed; he in turn also has tosee that she has been looked after.

Sindoor DaanArya Samaj incorporates the sindoor daan ceremony. It is a very common ritual wherein the groom applies sindoor or vermillion

on the wife's hair parting by her husband.Rituals After Marriage

Mangalsutra

Ashirwaad : The blessing

Now that the marriage rites have been completed, the newly weds are blessed by all the elders. Everyone present showers

coloured rice or 'akshat' on the couple.Dhruv Darshan

Dhruv Darshan is an age-old custom, wherein a newly married couple have to look at the dhruv star once their marriage is

completed. They do so as a means to gain direction (symbolic) from the star as they embark upon journey of newly married life

Dhruvnakshatra : Viewing the Pole StarThe couple is now instructed to look towards the Pole Star ('Dhruvnakshatra') amidst the chanting of 'mantras'. The Pole Star is

always firm in its place and the vow means that 'I will live permanently with you'.

Arundhati Nakshatra : Invoking blessings from Arundhati and Vashisht

'Arundhati' was the wife of the sage 'Vashisht'. The 'Arundhati' and 'Vashist Nakshatras' are two stars joined together and appear

as one at all times.