The modern Hindu wedding is a combination of several smaller events varying from region to region and often family to family.  The Hindu-Punjabi wedding reflects the great traditions of the Vedic scriptures while incorporating the fun spirit of India's northern state of Punjab.  Prior to the wedding, the bride's family hosts a sangeet, where the women of her family come together to celebrate through song and dance.  A mehndi ceremony may be held, during which the bride's hands and feet are adorned with decorative designs using a henna paste.  Additionally, her maternal uncles (mammajis) may present her with numerous red-and-ivory wedding bracelets called churda, which she wears during and several days after the wedding. 

The wedding day commences with the 'Baraat.'  With much pomp and show, the groom arrives at the venue riding a decorated horse.  This very festive ceremony is led by his family and friends. The bride's family then welcomes the groom's party in a ceremony known as 'Milni.'  The bride's father exchanges garlands with the groom's father.  To keep the festivities going, other relatives join in as well.  

The marriage ceremony takes place underneath a Mandap. The Mandap is a sacred structure supported by four pillars. The pillars represent the four Vedas, as well as the four goals of a fulfilled Hindu life (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha). Additionally, each pillar represents each parent of the bride and groom.

A formal reception will be held upon completion of the marriage ceremony.  Toward the end of the night, a very emotional ritual, 'Vidaai,' will be honored, and the bride will bid farewell to her family as she begins a new life with her husband. Traditionally, the bride would leave in a doli (palanquin), carried by the male members of her family. Nowadays, the couple often leaves in a limo or decorated car.

Throughout the wedding festivities, the bride's sisters will attempt to steal and hide the groom's shoes. The groom must gift them with money and jewelry, should he desire to get them back and go home with his bride. The responsibility is placed on the groom's brothers and friends to protect his shoes so his wallet isn't emptied. The groom's family has yet to win at a Wadehra wedding!

Hindu Wedding Components

Swagat (Welcome)

Kanya Agaman (Arrival of the Bride)

Jai Mala (Exchange of Garlands)
This exchange symbolizes formal acceptance and respect.

Prarthna Mantra (Prayer)
Chanting of the Gayatri Mantra invokes blessings from the supreme Lord.

Madhupak (Offerings)
The bride offers a mixture of honey and yogurt to the groom. Honey symbolizes the sweetness of eternal love, and yogurt is for the sake of his eternal good health and nutrition.

Aachman (Purification)
Water is sipped three times for the purification of the heart and the body.

Agni Pradipan
The sacred fire is kindled so that the wedding can be made solemn before Agni (fire), the symbol of knowledge, power, and purity, as a principle witness to the ceremony.

Kanya Daan (Giving hand of bride)
The bride's parents will place her hands into the groom's hands and pour holy water over them. The bride's father requests the groom to accept his daughter as an equal partner in all walks of life. The groom promises to do so.

Jaya Home (Offerings)
The couple makes offerings into the sacred fire to emphasize their joint responsibility in maintaining the love and dignity of their union.

Paani Graham (Accepting the Hand)
The groom holds the hand of the bride. The bride and groom solemnly pledge before God that they have become one and will forever love each other and remain mutually devoted for the remainder of their lives.

Pledges (Exchange of Vows)

Mangal Phera
The bride's brother puts rice in the hands of the bride and groom to offer to Agni, who dispels darkness and ignorance while leading into light and knowledge. The couple then walks around the sacred fire. Each round represents the four basic goals of human life: walks around the sacred fire.

Dharma: Moral sense to lead a good life
Artha: Financial prosperity
Kama: Blessing for strong, virtuous children and to share the responsibilities of home
Moksha: Eternal physical, spiritual, and mental strength

Together, the four goals symbolize the couple's commitment to each other, the community, and the cosmos. During the first three rounds, the bride leads the groom. During the last round, the groom leads.

Shila Rohan
A rock is placed in the northeast corner of the Mandap. While the bride places her right foot on the piece of rock, the groom recites a hymn, the Ashma Bhava. The statement is to encourage his wife to be as strong as the rock and to be firm towards any difficulties of life they may face together. Rice and flowers are sprinkled on the couple by her parents, relatives, and friends.

Saptapadi (Seven Steps)
The bride and groom take seven steps forward together, symbolizing the beginning of their journey through life. These steps signify the guiding principles of life and the seven vows made by the couple. The couple is then united and prays for blessings from God.

Sindhoor Daan
The groom puts Sindhoor (Red Powder) in the parting of the bride's hair and welcomes her into his life as his eternal partner. The newly wedded couple touches the feet for blessings from the parents of both families.

Akhand Subhagyavati
Married women from the bride's family come forth to wish her eternal happiness.

Aashirvaad
All guests and relatives recite a hymn with the priest to wish the couple good luck, prosperity, and a happy married life together.

Shanti Path (Hymn of Peace)