The marriage ceremony (wedding)
Post marriage ceremonies
A day before the wedding the palm and feet of the bride are decorated with "Mahendi".
A canopy or mandapa decorated with flowers is erected at the place of wedding.
On the wedding morning, various ablutionary rituals are performed on both the bride and the groom in their own homes. Their bodies are anointed with turmeric, sandalwood paste and oils, which cleanse the body, soften the skin, and make it aromatic. They are then bathed to the chanting of Vedic mantras.
The bride and the bridegroom face each other, and the priest ties their garments (the bride's saree to the groom's shirt) in a knot, symbolizing the sacred union.
The bride and the bridegroom garland each other and exchange the rings.
Next the nuptial fire, symbolizing the divine witness, and the sanctifier of the sacrament, is installed and worshipped.
Both the bride and the groom grasp their hands together and pray to God for His blessings.
Samagree, consisting of crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar, rice, ghee (clarified butter), and twigs is offered into the sacred fire to seek God's blessings for the couple.
The couple depart from the girl’s house after the vidai , for the groom’s house.
They carry behind the couple the sacred fire in a vessel. They should keep the re constantly alight.
When they reach his house, he says:
"Enter with your right foot. Do not remain outside."
The bride enters the home placing the right foot - considered auspicious, first.
When the bride and the groom enter the groom's house, the mother of the groom welcomes the bride by doing an aarati.
They sit in silence until the stars are visible.
