Each family has its own priest who builds a sacred fire. A priest leads the ceremony. He prepares for the Havan by lighting the ritual fire and reciting hymns calling on the gods to bless the occasion. When the groom arrives he is garlanded with flowers. The couple are seated by the sacred fire. In the past there would have been a veil between the couple until they were married as they would not of known each other. Then the couple will have met but often the bride and groom partly cover their faces. Then the priest recites verses from the scriptures in Sanskrit (the ancient language of the Vedas) and leads the couples through their meaning. The bride, her father and the groom make offerings of ghee and incense at the fire.
Also at this time, the bride is given gold ornaments, various (saris) and other clothes which becomes her own property. If there are any gifts of money, they may be used to set up a new home for the newlyweds.
The couple then stand facing each other wearing flower garlands round their necks, but separated from each other by a silk screen which is held at each end by the of the 2 families. The guests then singsongs of blessing and, at the end verse the coupler are showered with rice grains. When the screen is removed, the couple exchange flower garlands and the bride is given a necklace of black beads which she must wear throughout her husbands lifetime.
The Sacred Fire
A sacred fire is lit in a metal container and the couple pour ghee (clarified butter), amongst other things into the container, offering of worship and prayer while the priests chant sacred Mantras. The couple prays for wealth, healthy children and long life. Then they walk seven steps, round the fire. The wife following the husband, he asks her to take the first step for a long marriage life, and she follows him.
The Seven Steps
Knotting the bride’s sari into the scarf of the groom joins the couple and together they take seven steps around the fire. With each step a blessing is said: the first is for God, the others might be for strength, prosperity, happiness, children, long life, for support and for perfect union. The groom then prays that they will be of one heart and one mind in their love. They then feed each other mouthfuls of cake or sweet. A mark of a red kumkum and sandal wood paste is put on their fore heads and they are showered with petals and rice grains to wish hem happiness and peace. Sometimes the bride’s brothers give her nice grains to pour into the groom’s hands. It is a reminder that she will have to flourish and grow in a new home.
