Kamini & Ashish

Hindu Ceremony

Vivah Bandhan (The Wedding Ceremony)
Kamini and Ashish will be married in a traditional Hindu ceremony in accordance with Vedic rites. The ceremony will be conducted in Sanskrit, the ancient language of Hindu scriptures. They are honored to have Pandit Dhirendra Sharma perform the ceremony.

Bharat (The Groom's Procession)
Ashish travels to the wedding hall leading a celebratory procession of his family and friends. The bharat is greeted by Kamini's family and friends at the wedding hall where Kamini's mom Neelam welcomes Ashish with a ceremonial greeting. After the meeting of the families, Ashish is led to the mandap (the raised and canopied altar), where the marriage ceremony will take place.

Ganesh Puja (Prayer to Lord Ganesh)
The Vivah Bandhan begins with a prayer to Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. The prayers create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility for the duration of the ceremony.

Jaimala (Exchange of Garlands)
Kamini's cousins and friends along with her brother Krish enter the hall and proceed towards the mandap. Kamini is escorted to the mandap by her father Krishen. Prayers are chanted to seek blessings from the gods. At this point, Kamini and Ashish exchange garlands. This marks the beginning of the wedding rites that will unite them as husband and wife.

Kanyadan (Giving Away of the Bride)
Kamini's parents offer their daughter's hand in marriage to the groom. Ashish takes Kamini's hand over his and promises to love, respect, and protect her forever. Kamini and Ashish's scarves (chunni) are tied together, symbolizing their everlasting union.

Vivah Havan (Lighting of the Sacred Fire)
The wedding ceremony takes place in the mandap around the sacred fire (Agni), an eternal witness to the marriage. Agni is a symbol of purity and signifies the presence of God at the ceremony. All commitments made in the presence of Agni are thus made in the presence of God. The priest lights the sacred fire.

Mangal Phera (Circling the Sacred Fire)
The priest chants prayers in Sanskrit (the mantras) as the couple circle the fire seven times. With the first four pheras, Kamini and Ashish vow to follow the four holy principles of life:

1) Dharma: Duty to each other, family and society
2) Artha: Providing for material needs of the family
3) Kama: Unconditional love
4) Moksha: Striving for enlightenment

Ashish leads the first three pheras. Kamini leads the fourth phera, thereby proclaiming that she will help and support her husband in times of difficulties and hardships. Kamini leads the final three pheras, which are silent vows accompied by mantras. With each phera, Kamini and Ashish are blessed by their parents, family, and the priest.

Saptapadi (The Seven Steps)
Kamini and Ashish take seven steps and vow to uphold the guiding principles of married life:

1) Respect for each other
2) Caring for each other
3) Patience with each other
4) Honesty and faithfulness to each other
5) Building a happy and strong family together
6) Traveling the journey of life together with harmony and love
7) Remaining life-long friends

Mangalsutra and Sindoor (Symbols of Marriage)
Ashish places a sacred necklace (mangalsutra) around Kamini's neck and applies red vermilion powder (sindoor) to Kamini's forehead. The mangalsutra and sindoor signify Kamini's status as a married woman. Kamini and Ashish exchange rings as a symbol of their commitment and devotion to each other.

Aashirwad (Shower of Blessings)
The pandit offers his final blessings and good wishes to Kamini and Ashish and declares them husband and wife. The parents and guests shower the couple with flower petals (the symbol of beauty and reverence). The ceremony concludes with the couple offering respect to the parents, relatives, and receiving blessings from them.

Doli (Farewell to the Bride)
The last ceremony is when Kamini's parents bid farewell to their daughter from their home. As Kamini leaves, she throws a handful of rice over her shoulders. This act symbolizes prosperity and happiness continuing, even after she departs and leaves for her new home.