Divya & Aditya

Baraat and Dwar Pooja - Groom's Procession and Welcoming the Groom
The wedding celebrations begin when Aditya arrives with his family and friends in a lively procession filled with music and dancing. Aditya and his family are warmly welcomed by Divya's family. To prove his strength and his ability to overcome any challenges in marriage, Aditya is asked to break a small earthen pot with his feet before being escorted to the wedding Mandap, where the ceremony will be performed.

Var Pooja - Honoring the Groom
With the priest presiding, Divya’s parents join Aditya on the Mandap and honor the groom with the divine mixture of Panchamrutam. After this welcoming ceremony, Aditya is escorted to the front of the Mandap, where he awaits the arrival of his future bride.

Mangalashtakam - Request of Blessings
The priest recites auspicious verses requesting all Gods and Goddesses to bless the couple with a happy and healthy married life.

Kanya Aagaman - Arrival of the Bride
Divya is escorted by her family and the bridal party to the Wedding Mandap.

Maalai Maatthal - Garland Exchange
Divya and Aditya are lifted by their family and friends and they playfully exchange garlands in front of the Mandap. This symbolizes their union as one soul.

Oonjal - Swing Ceremony
Divya and Aditya are gently rocked back and forth on a swing symbolizing that they will always move in harmony through the ups and downs of life.

Ganesha Pooja - Prayers to Lord Ganesha
The mothers of the bride and groom guide Divya and Aditya towards the Mandap and the couple take their seats next to the Priest. The wedding ceremony begins by offering prayers and seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles, for an auspicious start to the wedding ceremony.

Jay Mala - Exchange of Garlands
Divya and Aditya exchange flower garlands, signifying the union of two bodies and two souls into one entity, and proclaim their love and acceptance of each other as life long partners.

Hastapita Karanam/Kanya Sanskar-Daan - Changing of Roles
Divya’s parents place haldi on both her palms, and take the Kanya Sanskar-Daan Sankalpa (Pledge), blessing the new couple for a successful married life. Aditya’s parents welcome Divya into the family and Aditya promises to take care of Divya for the rest of their lives. This part of the ceremony marks the change of role for Divya to wife.

Paani Granaham/Hasta Melap - Joining of Hands
Divya’s hands are filled with betel leaves, betel nuts, copper coins and rice, signifying unity, prosperity, and happiness. Divya’s parents then place her right hand on top of Aditya’s right hand, symbolizing the union of the couple as husband and wife.

Varmala/Granthi Bandhna - Merging of Souls
A Varmala (a hand-woven cotton string) is placed around Divya and Aditya, symbolizing the merging of their souls together. The threads also bind the two together to fulfill their roles as husband and wife fully and sincerely.

Var-Vadhu Pratigna - The Oath Taking Ceremony
The priest recites Vedic mantras, or Oaths, for Divya and Aditya to repeat.

Agni Pratistha - Lighting of the Sacred Fire
The nuptial fire, symbolizing the divine God of Fire, Agni, is lit in the Havan Kund. These offerings have a special importance, for it is Agni, the Divine Witness of the ceremony, who dispels darkness and ignorance in life and leads us to eternal light and knowledge.

Maangalya Dhaaranam - Tying of the Mangal Sutra
In the most auspicious moment in a Hindu Wedding ceremony, Aditya, with the help of his sister, ties the sacred Mangalyam Thaali / Mangal Sutra around Divya’s neck.This serves as an official sign of a married woman, and signifies Aditya’s love, integrity and respect for Divya.

Laaja Homam - The Offering of Puffed Rice
The newlyweds, with the help of Divya's brother, offer puffed rice into the fire. This ritual symbolizes the continuing links and relationship between the two families, especially after the marriage.

Mangal Fera - Holy steps Around the Sacred Fire
The newlyweds circle the Holy Fire four times as the priest chants Mantras. These mangal feras signify four basic covenants of Hindu philosophy: Dharma (A life of righteousness), Artha (A life of prosperity), Kama (A life of happiness), and Moksha (A life towards a path of spirituality).
After the couple make their last round around the fire together, they race to sit down first. As part of the tradition, it is said that whoever takes their seat first will be the ruler of the household!

Saptapadi - Seven Sacred Steps
Divya and Aditya pledge their love and fidelity and accept each other as equal partners in life. Divya and Aditya perform the Saptapadi representing the seven vows they make to each other:

- Together we shall nourish each other, avoid what is harmful to healthy living, and cherish each other in sickness and in health.
- Together we shall develop physical, mental, and spiritual powers to attain peace, happiness, and spirituality.
- Together we shall aim to increase our wealth by righteous means, prosper and share worldly goods, and conquer all obstacles that we may encounter.
- Together we shall acquire knowledge, courage, strength, happiness, and live in harmony with mutual love and respect.
- Together we shall be blessed with strong and virtuous children and share responsibilities of home and family.
- Together we shall always be true to each other, work together for prosperity and happiness, and cherish this world.
- Together we shall strive for longevity and remain life-long partners forever.

Dhruv/Arundhati Darshanam – Two Companion Stars
The newlyweds pay their homage to Arundathi, a constellation of two stars revolving around each other. This symbolizes the ideal equal relationship between a husband and a wife.

Kansarbhoji - Feeding of Sweets
Now that Divya and Aditya are now united in marriage, the parents of the newlyweds bring the couple sweets to feed each other.

Sindoor-Daan / Mangal Tilak - Adornment of the Bride / Groom
Aditya places Sindhoor at the parting of Divya’s hair and Divya, in turn, applies Tilak on Aditya’s forehead. These marks symbolize the couple’s married status.

Ashirvad - Blessings
The newlyweds seek blessings from their elders, family and friends for a long life of togetherness and prosperity.

Akhand Shaubhagyavati - Good Wishes
Five married women of the Bride’s and Groom’s families wish them “Saubhagyavat” (eternal marriage) in the Bride’s right ear.

Ring Exchange
The newlyweds exchange wedding rings as a symbol of eternal love for each other.