A Hindu Wedding Guide For
September 9, 2023
Baraat Swagat & Pokhwanu
A joyful procession & heartfelt welcome of Yash by Rajvi’s family
Baraat Swagat & Pokhwanu are a vibrant start to the festivities that capture the essence of love, joy, and togetherness. As the festivities begin, Yash, accompanied by his family and friends, embarks on a lively Baraat procession to the wedding venue. Dancing with joy and enthusiasm, Yash’s side spreads an atmosphere of excitement and celebration along the way.
When arriving at the Merion entrance, Yash’s side is warmly greeted by the Rajvi’s side, who eagerly awaits their arrival. Rajvi’s mom then extends her heartfelt blessings to Yash. With a gracious smile, she welcomes him into their family and asks him if he is ready to embrace the commitment of marriage with her daughter.
Rajvi’s mom then applies kumkum, a vibrant red vermilion powder, on Yash’s forehead. This loving act symbolizes the giving of good luck and prosperity upon Yash. This also signifies the acceptance of Yash into Rajvi’s family.
With blessings, Yash is escorted to the mandap (alter), where the wedding rituals will take place.
Jai Mala
The exchange of garlands symbolizing each other’s acceptance
The Jai Mala tradition is a token of acceptance and represents the couple’s willingness to embark on a lifelong journey together. Rajvi and Yash will stand face to face, surrounded by their loved ones. Then, they will both try to be the first to crown each other with their respective jaimala, a garland made of fresh flowers.
"Jaimala" directly translates to "victory garland" as princes and kings returning home from battle were greeted with garlands. Long ago, Sita placed a garland on Rama after he strung Shiva's bow and the practice has been repeated since then. Traditionally the bride places a flower garland, a varmala, over her intended groom as a way of claiming him and saying yes to his proposal. The groom later returns the gesture by gifting her with a mangalsutra.
The act of exchanging garlands signifies the public declaration of their mutual acceptance, pledging to stand by each other through thick and thin. They embrace each other’s strengths and weaknesses and celebrate each other’s uniqueness.
Ganesh Puja
Honoring Lord Ganesh, the Remover of All Obstacles
Ganesh Puja is an essential Hindu wedding ritual in which Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles and symbol of good fortune, is invoked and worshiped to seek blessings and remove obstacles from the couple's marriage. In Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesh is always revered before embarking on any new life chapter.
With an idol of Lord Ganesh on the mandap, the pandit (priest) will chant mantras, seeking Lord Ganesh's blessings to safeguard their journey together and ensure it's filled with harmony and prosperity.
Var Puja
Rajvi’s parents honor Yash
(...and the shoe game shenanigans begin)
"Var" translates to "groom," while "Puja" translates to "worship." In this ceremony, Yash enters and is honored by Rajvi’s parents, who clean his feet with honey and milk. Milk symbolizes purity, nourishment, and blessings, reflecting the couple's pure intentions and nurturing qualities. Honey represents the sweetness of love and unity, signifying the binding commitment and shared companionship.
At this time, Rajvi’s friends and family will try to steal Yash’s shoes. Traditionally, Yash must leave the wedding with the same pair of shoes that he entered with. The groom leaving the mandap with the same shoes he entered with symbolizes his respect for tradition and the sanctity of the ceremony. If his shoes are stolen, they’re held ransom and he must offer Rajvi’s friends & family money in order to get them back.
Kanya Aagman
Rajvi’s entrance and acceptance into Yash’s family
Kanya Aagman translates to the acceptance of the daughter. Rajvi enters the ceremony accompanied by her uncles. The uncles are there to protect and guide her as she transitions to her married life, and to provide familial blessings. They’ll be holding a "phoolon ki chadar," or a flower canopy. The canopy is a symbol of beauty which allows for a grand entrance.
As the Rajvi enters, the couple is separated by an “antarpat” (cloth) which signifies that they come as separate individuals, with their own identities, backgrounds, and life experiences. This tradition emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and respecting each other's autonomy, boundaries, and individuality within the marriage.
Kanyadaan & Hasta Melap
Rajvi’s transition & the meeting of hands
During “Kanyadaan,” the Rajvi’s parents, with the blessings of God, will place the Rajvi’s right hand in Yash’s right hand, transferring responsibility and trusting him with her happiness.
During Hasta Melap, the couple's hands are tied together with the mangalsutra (a sacred thread), signifying their union as partners in marriage. During the tying of the hands, mantras are chanted to invoke blessings for a harmonious and enduring marriage.
Agni Puja & Mangal Pheras
Rajvi and Yash make aspirations and vows for their married life
"Agni Puja" involves worshiping the sacred fire as a witness to the marriage. The couple makes offerings to the fire, seeking its blessings for purity, liveliness, and a strong marriage. The fire symbolizes the illumination of knowledge, the energy of transformation, and the couple's commitment to carry out their responsibilities. The couple walks around the fire four times, symbolizing the core aspirations of married life: Dharma (duty & religion), Artha (prosperity), Kama (family) and Moksha (salvation).
"Mangal Pheras" involve the couple taking seven symbolic rounds around the fire as vows of marital bliss.
1. To keep a pure household, avoiding all things harmful to our health
2. To develop mental, physical & spiritual strength
3. To acquire wealth by righteous means
4. To acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony by mutual love and trust
5. To pray for virtuous, intelligent and courageous children
6. To exercise self-restraint for longevity
7. To vow to always remain true companions and life-long partners
Mangalsutra & Sindoor
Rajvi gets a necklace and red powder as a symbol of commitment and marital life
The mangalsutra necklace and sindoor symbolize Rajvi’s lifelong commitment to Yash, and Yash’s promise to protect and fulfill her wishes.
The Mangalsutra is a sacred necklace, typically made of black beads and gold, placed on Rajvi as a symbol of her marital status. The black beads are believed to ward off negative energy, while the gold represents prosperity and auspiciousness.
The Sindoor powder is applied along the parting of Rajvi’s hair, signifying that Rajvi is now a wife. The red color also represents love and passion.
Kansar Bhojan
The couple shares their first meal together
"Kansar Bhojan" involves Rajvi and Yash sharing a meal of kansar, which is a mixture of sugar and crushed rice, often served in a silver bowl. This dish is an important part of Gujarati traditions and is often served on important occasions. The silver bowl not only looks beautiful but also represents purity and wealth.
This ritual brings sweetness, togetherness, and love to the couple’s life. Just as the sugar and rice are blended to create kansar, the couple's lives are now intertwined, bringing a strong partnership. As they share this meal, they promise to share everything they have in life. This meal symbolizes the first of many shared meals in their future, including some delicious Italian ones :)
Akhand Saubhagyavati
Married women whisper advice into Rajvi’s ear
Married woman from the family come to the mandap to whisper "Akhand Saubhagyavati" and marital advice into Rajvi’s ear. The phrase "Akhand Saubhagyavati" means "good luck, prosperity, and a long happy life," carrying blessings and well wishes.
They pass down marital wisdom from their experience. As Rajvi enters her married life, she is embraced by the blessings and guidance of those who have walked a similar path.
Ashirwad & Vidaai
Blessings for the couple, followed by an emotional farewell as Rajvi leaves with Yash
These ceremonies mark the end of the wedding and beginning of a new phase of life as the pandit declares the couple husband & wife. The tradition of ashirwad (blessings) involves seeking blessings from God, the pandit, their parents, elders, and all of you.
Vidaai typically occurs outside and is the bittersweet moment when Rajvi bids farewell to her family and friends. As Rajvi and Yash attempt to leave in their car, Rajvi's sisters stand in front of it, blocking their path and wanting her to stay. Yash must then negotiate, using both his words and wallet, to convince the sisters to let them leave. Once the sisters agree, Rajvi and Yash bid their farewells and drive off.
We’re married!!
Thank You
We’re so glad you could join us on this special occasion as we begin our journey together. Each of you has been an integral part of our lives, and we couldn’t have imagined celebrating without your love, support, and blessings!
Stay after the ceremony for photos with us. Please check the next page for the photo group list.
Photo List
1-8: Immediate Family
9. Sunil & Sushama Kadam
10. Darshana & Shailesh Shah
11. Harshad & Asha Shah
12. Bhavesh, Parul, Mahesh, Asmita, Versha, Kirit, Mita, Ashok, Kalpana Gandhi, Akshobh Gandhi, Shefali, Minesh
13. Rajvi Full Family
14. Rajvi Cousins
15. Groomsmen + Friends
16. Bridesmaid + Friends
17. Nilesh & Pinaki Shah Family
18. Asha & Shailesh Shah Family (Canada)
19-20. Babul & Nipa Shah Family
21. Bipin Dada & Smita Ba Family
22. Yogesh & Priti Patel Family
23. Geeta & Harish Vyas Family and Nayan & Jyostna Pandya Family
24. Hansaben & Navnitlal Shah Family, Mitesh Shah & Nikki Shah Family, Mital Shah Family, Mita Morar Family Rameshlal & Manjuben Shah Family
25. Vibash Desai, Jagruti Desai, Jayesh Desai, Purnima Desai, Vivek Malhotra, Manisha Malhotra, Satish Sharma, Aarti Sharma, Smita Gandhi, Mona, Kirit, Anuj, Pragna
26. Raj Kalsi Family
27. Piyush Parikh, Hetal Parikh, Pradip Doshi, Parul Doshi, Dharmesh , Dipti , Vinit Rajpara, Shruti Rajpara, Kandarp , Nisha, Archana Kamdar, Shailesh Kamdar
28. Keyur & Jyoti Limbachiya & Nikita & Ajay Parekh
29. Rajesh Patel, Kirti Patel, Swaroop Patel, Viraj Patel, Indravadan Patel, Sangita Patel, Raj Patel, Anita Patel, Paresh Desai, Falguni Desai, Mehul, Mohini, Dharmendra Patel, Raksha Patel
30. Kapil, Dipti, Bhagya, Apurva, Priti, Nishka, Rohan, Daideep, Aaina, Kushal, Hemali, Shanaya, Nyra, Lino Velasco