The Marriage Ceremony

As with all aspects of Hinduism, marriages can be diverse.

All Hindu weddings are carried out by a priest.

The bridegroom and his family come to the bride’s house and are welcomed.

A silk cloth is held between the couple by the priest and various songs of blessing are sung as the guests throw rice over the couple.

The father gives his daughter to the groom asking him to live a good life in dharma (his moral duty), artha (the earning of money) and kama (the enjoyment of life).

The groom’s mother gives a gift to the bride.

Prayers are said as the groom offers gifts to the sacred fire (Havan) to encourage fertility.

The vows are taken. ‘I hold your hand in the spirit of dharma- we are both husband and wife.’

The bride steps on a stone to represent the stability which marriage will bring to their lives.

The couple take seven steps around the Havan as laid down in the Law of Manu. The first step is for food, the second for strength, the third for wealth, the fourth for happiness, the fifth for children, the sixth for sustenance and the seventh for unity.

The couple look at the sun (or the pole star at night) to be blessed.

The couple receive blessings from the priest.