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The groom is received at the entrance of the wedding hall by the officiating Priest who chants a few mantras. The bride’s mother blesses the groom with turmeric and rice.
It is then the groom’s reception at the altar. The bride’s father bestows the groom with gifts. The bride is given away by her father to the groom amidst the chanting of sacred mantras.
There is a sacred fire ceremony to ensure that all is begun in an atmosphere of spirituality and purity. The right hand of the bride is taken by the groom in his left hand and she is accepted as his lawfully wedded wife.
With the bride leading, the couple walks around the fire taking solemn vows of fidelity, steadfast love and loyalty. The bride steps onto a stone slab and the bride’s mother counsels her in preparation for her new life.
The bride makes offerings of worship and thanks by throwing puffed rice into the fire while keeping the palms of her hand over the grooms. The bride and groom then circles the sacred fire together seven times which according to the Hindu custom legalizes the marriage. Then they take seven steps representing nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, progeny, long life and harmony and understanding, respectively. They also have toe rings which are placed on their feet while having their feet on a stone slab. The stone slab is a symbol of having their feet on firm, solid ground in their relationship.
The Couple leave the wedding hall to go outside and point at the sun and pole star. The Couple make food offerings into the fire and also feed each other as a sign of mutual affection and love. The Hindu Ceremony is at least 3 hours long and the Bride leaves the wedding hall in the middle of the ceremony to change Sari’s. At the end of the Ceremony the couple is blessed with rice by each person attending the wedding.
Being able to photograph a Hindu wedding is an amazing experience. The symbolism behind the rituals is honest and inspiring.
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